Two important, popular and very distant points on the map of Iceland are called Selfoss. The town and the waterfall of the same name are separated by more than 400 km in a straight line and almost 600 km if you drive on paved roads. Keep this in mind when arranging a meeting with someone….
Distance between the waterfall and the town of Selfoss
© Based on data from National Land Survey of Iceland
Selfoss Waterfall
Selfoss Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall in northeastern Iceland. Admittedly, it is located quite far north, but together with the waterfalls Dettifoss and Hafragilsfoss, it is located in a special ‘island’ formally attached to Vatnajökull National Park (Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður). The waterfall can be viewed from the west (accessed via road 862) or east (road 864). If you are planning a visit to Asbyrgi, it is worth seeing Selfoss from both sides – once going to Asbyrgi and once returning from there.
The waterfall is fed by water from the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, and is 11 meters long and as much as 100 meters wide.
Right next to it is its “bigger brother” – Iceland’s most powerful waterfall: Dettifoss On the west bank of the river, the same parking lot is provided for both waterfalls and convenient paths lead to both. On the eastern side, you have to get to the waterfall without a path, although according to many people, it is from the eastern side that it looks better.
If you want to see the Selfoss waterfall up close, take care to wear appropriate clothing, protect your camera and cell phone. Beware of the slippery rocks around the waterfall.
Selfoss town
The town of Selfoss is the seat of Árborg Municipality in southern Iceland, about 60 km east of Reykjavík, on the Ölfusá River.
Selfoss is an important transportation hub. Roads 33 and 34 to the south, 35 and 36 to the north, and – a little farther east – Roads 30 and 26 going northeast toward the Icelandic Highlands leave here from Road 1. It’s from here that buses 72, 73 and 75 of the state-owned Straeto line leave, while line 51 (Reykjavik-Hofn), 52 and private lines going to Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork also pass through.
There is also a hostel of the HI Hostels chain and numerous guesthouses. Here’s our selection of interesting places to stay for the night:
- good value-for-money places:
South Central Guesthouse, Bella Apartments, Hotel Selfoss, Hotel South Coast; - cabins and cottages:
Home in Selfoss, Bjarmaland Cottages, Blue View Cabin, GC Luxury Cottages; - top aurora hunting venues (mostly great in winter, October through March)
Golden Circle Domes or Bubble Hotel Hrosshagi;
For motorized tourists, there are markets and gas stations, but due to the relative proximity to Reykjavik, tourists’ cars usually pass through Selfoss without stopping.
Matholl in Selfoss
