How tall is Glymur, and is it Iceland's highest waterfall?

Glymur is 198 meters (650 ft) high. Since the discovery of Morsarfoss in 2007, which was measured at 239 meters (780 ft), Glymur is Iceland's second-highest waterfall - but Morsarfoss flows under a glacier and can practically never be seen in one piece, so Glymur remains the tallest waterfall a visitor can actually see.

How long is the hike to Glymur?

The loop from the parking lot at the head of Botnsdalur is 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) with about 300 meters (1,000 ft) of climbing, and takes about 3 to 4 hours there and back, with stops. Together with the drive from Reykjavik, count on half a day.

Do you have to cross the river to see Glymur?

The full loop crosses the Botnsa river twice. Low in the valley you cross on a log with a rope to hold on to. Above the waterfall there is no log at all, only a wide ford - the water is shin-deep and ice cold, so rubber boots or bare feet and a small towel are worth taking.

When is the best time to hike to Glymur?

Between June and September. It is warmer then and the days are long enough that you do not have to worry about walking back in the dark. In winter the trail is covered with snow and there are only a few hours of daylight, which makes the hike dangerous.

How do you get to Glymur from Reykjavik?

Drive road 1 north and turn onto road 47 before Hvalfjordur fjord. Road 47 runs along the fjord to its head, where signposts point to the access road leading to the parking lot in Botnsdalur, where the trail begins.

Glymur - the Tallest Waterfall You Can Reach in Iceland

Glymur is a beautiful and very high waterfall. It measures 198 meters (650 ft) and stands in Botnsdalur, the valley at the head of Hvalfjörður fjord, northeast of Reykjavík. It is fed by the Botnsá River, which flows out of Hvalvatn, a lake dammed by lava and some 160 meters (520 ft) deep.

Glymur is NOT the highest waterfall in Iceland

For many years, Glymur was considered the tallest waterfall in Iceland. It wasn’t until 2007 that scientists working on Iceland’s glaciers discovered the Morsárfoss waterfall (in the Vatnajökull massif, near Svartifoss), whose height was measured at as high as 239 meters (780 ft), which ‘pushed’ Glymur to second place on the list of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls.

However, Morsarfoss is virtually inaccessible to the average tourist. It flows under the glacier, and while it is possible to see it if you are lucky, it is practically impossible to see it in its entirety (for more see the article on Skaftafell and Svartifoss). Therefore, it is Glymur that is still the highest waterfall we can see in its entirety on this beautiful island – West Iceland’s tourist board still lists it as Iceland’s tallest waterfall.

Glymur – hints and practical tips

An attractive hiking path full of smaller waterfalls, caves, lava fields and streams leads to Glymur waterfall. The trail is not difficult, but it is quite long (and uphill): the loop is 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) with about 300 meters (1,000 ft) of climbing, and the walk from the nearest parking lot takes about 3 to 4 hours (both ways, with stops). Together with the drive from Reykjavik, it is worth reserving half a day to see this waterfall. A good idea for the second half day, for example, is to visit Vidgelmir cave and other attractions around Reykholt – a bit north of here.
The best time to experience this charming place is between June and September. It’s warmer then and the day lasts longer – we won’t have to worry about returning in the dark. In winter, when snow covers the trail and we only have daylight for a few hours a day, hiking can be dangerous and not worth the risk.
When hiking in the Glymur area, it is advisable to wear proper hiking boots to ensure safety in more difficult conditions. Be prepared to cross or pass small streams along the way; the makeshift bridges over them leave much to be desired and it is not difficult to get your shoes wet there.
Be sure to take water and provisions with you. Be prepared for wind and count on rain. The trip is quite long and can be tiring, but if you plan it like a “day in the mountains” rather than a quick jaunt to the next waterfall, Glymur will repay you beautifully – I don’t know a single person who went on this trip and came back unsatisfied.

The full loop means crossing Botnsá twice. Down in the valley you cross on a log, with a rope to hold on to; above the waterfall there is no log at all, just a wide ford. The water there is shin-deep and ice cold – rubber boots get you over dry, barefoot works too, and a small towel is worth the space in your pack.

How to get to Glymur

The Glymur waterfall is reached by a hiking trail starting at the parking lot, at the end of the access road at the very head of Botnsdalur valley.

To get there, you need to take Road 1 and turn onto Road 47, before Hvalfjörður Fjord (whether you’re coming from the north or south). This road will take you along the edge of the fjord itself, providing great views of the coast, mountains, vegetation and smaller waterfalls, and at the top of the fjord, signposts indicate the access road to the waterfall, though it’s hard to miss even without them.