south iceland
About
Öxarárfoss is located in Þingvellir National Park. Details: - Waterfall height: ~20 metres - River: Öxará - Falls into Almannagjá rift - Possibly man-made (river diverted) Hike: - Start: Parking P2 at Þingvellir - Distance: ~600m one-way - Duration: 10-15 min walk - Difficulty: Easy (paved/gravel path) - Wheelchair accessible to viewpoint Photography: - Beautiful cascade framed by basalt cliffs - Freezes partially in winter - Green moss in summer Access: - Þingvellir National Park (Golden Circle) - Free parking P2 - Open year-round Nearby: Silfra diving, Lögberg, Almannagjá rift
📖 Story
Öxarárfoss is one of Þingvellir's most accessible and photogenic features. The Öxará river flows from uplands, crosses the main assembly field (where it was used for drinking water and executions), then drops ~20 metres into Almannagjá rift in a beautiful cascade. According to some historians, the waterfall was man-made — Althing assembly diverted the river in medieval times to provide water to the parliament site. The falls freeze partially in winter creating ice formations. Easy 15-minute walk from parking lot P2 through the rift valley. Combine with Silfra, Lögberg, and rift valley walks.
✈️ Why Visit
Easy walk to beautiful waterfall in Þingvellir rift valley — possibly man-made, historic parliament water source.
💡 Did You Know?
Öxarárfoss may be man-made — historians believe the river was diverted to flow to the Althing assembly site.
Key Facts
~20m waterfall
Þingvellir National Park
Flows into Almannagjá rift
Easy 15-min walk
Possibly man-made diversion
📍 GPS Location
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