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 more than 400 km (250 mi) apart in a straight line and almost 600 km (370 mi) by paved roads. Keep this in mind when arranging to meet 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. Although it lies far to the north, together with the waterfalls Dettifoss and Hafragilsfoss it belongs to a separate ‘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 the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum and is 11 m (36 ft) high and as much as 100 m (330 ft) 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, wear appropriate clothing and protect your camera and cell phone from the spray. Beware of the slippery rocks around the waterfall.
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Selfoss town
The town of Selfoss is the seat of Árborg Municipality in southern Iceland, about 60 km (37 mi) 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. Strætó buses 72, 73 and 75 start here, and lines 51 (Reykjavik–Hofn) and 52 as well as private buses to Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork also pass through.
There is also an HI Hostels hostel 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 travelers with a car, there are grocery stores and gas stations, but because Reykjavik is relatively close, most visitors drive through Selfoss without stopping.
Mjólkurbúið Mathöll food hall in Selfoss
Selfoss is also home to one of the more interesting food halls (mathöll) – Mjólkurbúið Mathöll (The Old Dairy Food Hall). Definitely worth a visit.