Godafoss (Goðafoss) waterfall is located in northern Iceland. Falling from a height of 12 meters and 30 meters wide, it flows into the Skjálfandafljót River – the fourth largest river in Iceland. Called the Waterfall of the Gods or also the Waterfall of the Priests, it is one of the most famous waterfalls on the island.
Legend of Goðafoss
According to historical accounts, Godafoss owes its name to an event that took place in the year 1000, at which time Thorgeir (Þorgeir), chief of the local county of Ljosavatn and Speaker* of the Icelandic Parliament – the Althing – was given the momentous task of deciding whether Icelanders should embrace the Christian faith. When he decided that they should, and his decision was formally adopted, he went home, took his statues of pagan deities and brought them and threw them into this very waterfall, as a sign of farewell to the pagan faith of his ancestors (today, the most popular religion in Iceland is Lutheranism).
Godafoss flows over a 30-meter horseshoe-shaped rock that divides it into two parts. The first is about 9 and the second 17 meters wide (there is a small ‘island’ in the middle). When the flow of water in the river is high, other waterfalls often appear in it, adding even more magic and beauty to the surroundings.
Godafoss Falls – practical information
Godafoss is located almost directly on road #1, between Akureyri and Lake Myvatn, at the point where road 844 branches off to the south, leading further to the famous F26 road – Sprengisandsleid (4×4!).
There are two parking lots at the waterfall – on its western and eastern banks. The view from both banks is equally attractive, but if you want to go down to the very foot of the waterfall, you’ll have to use the parking lot on the eastern side – on road 844, a bit past the gas station.
When walking on the rocks at the waterfall, use extreme caution. The waterfall creates a water mist, through which it can be very slippery everywhere even in sunny, rain-free weather.
Right next to Godafoss is a second, smaller waterfall – Geitafoss. By the time you get this far north in Iceland, you’ll probably have seen so many waterfalls that Geitafoss won’t impress you and you’ll only need to catch a glimpse of it from the viaduct over the river.
On the other hand, approx. 50 km south, at the very beginning of the F26 road, there is a beautiful waterfall Aldeyjarfoss If you can spare about 2-2.5h to travel and see this waterfall – it’s really worth it. If you are not here in summer, just to be sure, ask at the gas station if you can.
