south-iceland · Iceland
Urriðafoss Waterfall
Experience Urriðafoss, the most voluminous waterfall in Iceland, where the powerful Þjórsá river cascades over a wide, impressive rock formation. Its sheer volume of water creates a constant, thunderous roar and a mesmerizing display of nature's raw power.
About Urriðafoss Waterfall
Experience Urriðafoss, the most voluminous waterfall in Iceland, where the powerful Þjórsá river cascades over a wide, impressive rock formation. Its sheer volume of water creates a constant, thunderous roar and a mesmerizing display of nature's raw power.
Did You Know?
- ✔On the Þjórsá River (Iceland's longest)
- ✔~6 metres tall, ~100 metres wide
- ✔Highest water volume in Iceland
- ✔Easy roadside access from Route 1
- ✔Best in spring/early summer
Tours Near Urriðafoss Waterfall
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Browse Iceland Tours →About Urriðafoss Waterfall
Urriðafoss is located about 20 km east of Selfoss, just off Route 1. The falls span nearly 100 metres in width and drop about 6 metres, creating a thunderous roar as glacial meltwater from the Highlands rushes over the basalt ledge. The waterfall is easily accessible from a small parking area with a short walk to a viewing platform. The best time to visit is late spring or early summer when snowmelt makes the falls especially powerful. Urriðafoss is less visited than Gullfoss or Skógafoss, making it a peaceful stop for photography and nature observation.
Story & Folklore
Urriðafoss drops about 6 metres, but the Þjórsá River carries so much water that the falls are incredibly powerful, especially during spring melt. The name comes from Icelandic folklore: urriði means 'trout,' and the falls were once famous for salmon fishing.
Why Visit
Witness Iceland's most powerful cascade, a true force of nature.
Did You Know?
Urriðafoss is fed by the mighty Þjórsá, Iceland's longest river, making it a spectacle of immense water flow.