Öxarárfoss Waterfall — Þingvellir

Folklore

Story & Folklore

Öxarárfoss cascades into the Öxará river at Þingvellir, just a short walk from the great rift valley where Iceland's first parliament was held. The waterfall is modest in scale compared to Iceland's giants — perhaps 10 metres high — but its setting is extraordinary. The amber-clear glacial water drops over basalt lava formations draped in vivid green moss, in the shadow of the Almannagjá rift. In winter, the spray freezes into delicate ice columns around the basalt rocks. Because Þingvellir is already popular for its historical and geological significance, Öxarárfoss is often walked past quickly — but a few quiet minutes by the falls reveals one of the most peaceful spots in the national park.