Waterfalls in Iceland

Iceland is home to thousands of waterfalls thanks to its glaciers, volcanic rivers and dramatic terrain. The combination of enormous glaciers melting into fast-flowing rivers, combined with Iceland's sharp cliff landscapes, creates some of the most spectacular waterfall scenery on Earth.

Many waterfalls are easily accessible directly from the Ring Road on the South Coast, including the famous trio of Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Gullfoss on the Golden Circle. Others require hiking through remote valleys or driving highland F-roads.

The Icelandic word for waterfall is foss — which you'll notice in nearly every waterfall name: Gullfoss, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss. Iceland has more waterfalls per square kilometre than almost anywhere else on Earth.

Waterfalls in Iceland are fed by glaciers, springs, and rainfall. The largest, like Dettifoss, carry glacial meltwater from the vast Vatnajökull glacier. Others like Hraunfossar spring from beneath ancient lava fields in a completely unique phenomenon.