Selfoss Waterfall
Broad glacial waterfall on Jökulsá á Fjöllum, about 1 km upstream of Dettifoss.
About
About Selfoss Waterfall
Broad glacial waterfall on Jökulsá á Fjöllum, about 1 km upstream of Dettifoss.
Combine Selfoss and Dettifoss on the same canyon walk to see two very different expressions of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.
Tours Near Selfoss Waterfall
Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri
Imagine Iceland Travel · 8 hours
Northern Lights Photography tour from Akureyri
Iceland Horizon - Saga Travel - GeoIceland · 3 hours
Dettifoss Waterfall, Ásbyrgi and Lake Mývatn - Shore Excursion from Húsavík
BusTravel Iceland · 5 hours 30 minutes
Akureyri Northern Light Tour
The Traveling Viking · 2 hours 30 minutes
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Background
History & Background
Selfoss Waterfall has been a significant site in Iceland's landscape. Dating back to ancient times, this location has played an important role in Icelandic culture and natural history.
Selfoss Waterfall is a remarkable waterfall in Iceland. Selfoss Waterfall is a stunning waterfall located in North Iceland. This magnificent cascade showcases the raw power and beauty of Iceland's landscape... This Selfoss — not to be confused with the town — is the first major waterfall you reach on the Dettifoss trail in the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. Compared to the thundering Dettifoss just 1 kilometre downstream, Selfoss appears almost gentle: a wide, sh. This location offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience Iceland's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Folklore
Story & Folklore
This Selfoss — not to be confused with the town — is the first major waterfall you reach on the Dettifoss trail in the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. Compared to the thundering Dettifoss just 1 kilometre downstream, Selfoss appears almost gentle: a wide, shallow curtain spreading across rocks. But the river canyon here amplifies every sound into theatre, and the sheer amount of glacial water flowing over ancient basalt at this altitude gives it genuine scale. The short walk between Selfoss and Dettifoss along the canyon rim is one of the most dramatic 30 minutes of walking in Iceland, with the canyon walls revealing dark secrets of columnar basalt and ancient carved stone.
Did You Know?
Selfoss is part of a spectacular waterfall trio in the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river canyon, with Dettifoss and Hafragilsfoss nearby.
Explore
Hidden Gems Nearby
Early Morning Visit
Visit Selfoss Waterfall at sunrise or early morning for the most magical light and fewer crowds.
The morning light creates stunning rainbows in the mist, and you may have the waterfall entirely to yourself.
Nearby Trails
Explore the lesser-known walking trails around Selfoss Waterfall that most tourists skip.
These trails offer unique perspectives of the waterfall and surrounding landscape that you won't find in guidebooks.
Winter Transformation
Selfoss Waterfall takes on an entirely different character in winter when partially frozen.
The ice formations create a spectacular natural sculpture, and the contrast with the flowing water is breathtaking.
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Location
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