Skogafoss is one of the most beautiful and powerful waterfalls in South Iceland. Because it’s so popular, it’s worth coming here outside “peak hours.”
The most beautiful waterfall of southwest Iceland
Skogafoss is 25 m (80 ft) wide and 60 m (200 ft) high. So, technically speaking, it doesn’t top any Icelandic ranking. What makes it special is how well it combines size, power, beautiful surroundings and – last but not least – easy access.
The approach to Skogafoss
You can also easily view Skogafoss from above. Convenient stairs on the right lead up to a viewing platform above the cascade. From the top, there’s a beautiful view not only of the waterfall itself but of the whole area and the ocean, usually sparkling in the sun. On the way up, you may also spot seabirds typical of the area.
When is the best time to visit Skogafoss
Because it’s so beautiful, lies right off Route 1 and is very easy to reach, Skogafoss is a must-see on any trip to Iceland, and in high season it’s often packed with tourists. If you’re planning to visit, especially in summer, during the peak tourist season, try to get here in the morning or toward the end of the day. A large share of visitors to Skogafoss come on day trips from Reykjavik, and given where the waterfall lies, there’s a 95% chance such a tour gets here between noon and 4 p.m. If you’re visiting Iceland in summer and don’t like crowds, try to come outside those hours. In the evening, you have a chance to see a beautiful sunset over the waterfall (from the upper viewing platform), and if you decide to spend the night at the nearby campsite, you can see it at night, too.
You can visit the waterfall year-round, but take extra care in winter. The combination of water, snow and freezing temperatures can make the area around the waterfall really slippery.
Parking by the waterfall is paid: from 1,000 ISK (about $8) per car for 5 hours, toilets included (Parka prices, September 2026). Nearby, you’ll also find a campsite, a cafe, a small shop and more.
The campsite (Skogar campsite) doesn’t offer much, and in summer it can get soggy. It’s small and squeezed in between very busy parking lots. It’s certainly fine for a night if you want to see the waterfall at sunrise or sunset, or to hike the Fimmvorduhals trail and see more waterfalls. Otherwise, the campsite in nearby Vik will definitely be a better choice.
Hiking at Skogafoss
Between Skógafoss waterfall and the village of Skogar is the start of one of Iceland’s best-known hiking routes – the Fimmvorduhals trail. It’s a one-day hike of about 22 km (14 mi). It follows the Skógá River between two glaciers, Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull, up to the “namesake” Fimmvörðuháls pass and on to Thorsmork (Þórsmörk), which many Icelanders consider the most beautiful place in the country…
Fimmvörðuháls is perhaps the most beautiful day hike in Iceland, and if you have the time, it’s worth setting aside a day for it. To do that, plan to spend the night at the campsite in Skogar, then leave your car in the parking lot the next day and set off on foot. From Thorsmork, you’ll get back by bus the same day or the next.
You can also split the hike into two days by booking (well in advance!) a night in a mountain hut on the pass. What you can see along the way and how to prepare for the hike is covered in a separate article: Fimmvorduhals trail.
If you don’t have a whole day, it’s still worth hiking up the Fimmvorduhals trail for at least an hour and then turning back. From the trail, you’ll see several waterfalls (more than a dozen along the whole stretch) that can even compete with Skogafoss itself. It’s a real paradise and a must for every waterfall lover. And in nice weather, it’s simply a very pleasant and interesting walk (beyond the top of Skogafoss, the trail is much flatter than the steep climb at the start).
Kvernufoss – a small, hidden gem
Not far from the mighty Skogafoss lies the often overlooked but certainly very pretty Kvernufoss waterfall.
Kvernufoss from behind
In summer, you can walk into a small cave behind the curtain of water, and in winter you can admire fanciful ice formations on and around the waterfall.
It’s usually a quiet, peaceful spot, free of tourist crowds. So if you’d like a short break from busy, crowded Skogafoss, it’s worth coming here to take in the beauty of Icelandic nature in solitude.
How to get to Skogafoss
Skogafoss is near the small village of Skógar, about 30 km (20 mi) northwest of the town of Vík í Mýrdal, on Route 1.
Driving from Reykjavik, you’ll find the waterfall about 30 km (20 mi) past the bridge over the Markarfljót River and the turnoff to Seljalandsfoss waterfall (also beautiful, and also crowded…).
If you keep an eye on the slopes running along the coast, you can’t miss Skogafoss.
