How tall is Svartifoss?

Svartifoss is only 20 m (65 ft) high, but it is one of Iceland's most popular waterfalls thanks to the hexagonal basalt columns that frame it.

How long is the walk to Svartifoss?

From the parking lot at Skaftafell, the walk to the waterfall takes just over half an hour and is fairly easy, but you need proper hiking shoes. The basic S2 loop (Svartifoss - Sjónarsker - Sel) is 5.8 km (3.6 miles) long and takes about 2 hours.

How do you get to Svartifoss?

Svartifoss is about 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Hof in South Iceland. From Road 1, turn onto Road 998, and after about 2 km (1.2 mi) you reach the Skaftafell parking lot, where the trail starts.

Which hiking trails start in Skaftafell?

Trails S1-S6 lead to the Skaftafellsjökull glacier, Svartifoss, Sjónarnípa, Skaftafellsheiði and Kristínartindar (1,126 m / 3,690 ft) and take 1 to 8 hours. Trails M1-M3 into the Morsárdalur valley take 4 to 10 hours. Lengths and times follow Vatnajökull National Park (September 2026).

Can you walk on the Skaftafellsjökull glacier on your own?

It is really dangerous - the glacier surface is full of crevasses and moulins. Glacier trips are best done in an organized group with an experienced guide; guided glacier hikes and ice climbing tours start in Skaftafell.

Around Hof | Rumbo Mundo

Rumbo Mundo > Around Hof

Around Hof

Hof is a tiny settlement in the southern part of Iceland.

In its vicinity you’ll find glaciers, waterfalls and the remains of one of the largest glacial floods of this century.

Things to see around Hof

East Iceland

w East Iceland - 11 September 2026

Svartifoss – a Beautiful Waterfall in Skaftafell

Svartifoss is a stunningly beautiful waterfall in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve (now part of Vatnajökull National Park) - a remarkable area of glacier tongues and lagoons, birch woods,…

East Iceland

w East Iceland - 10 September 2026

Jokulsarlon Lagoon and the Diamond Beach

Jökulsárlón is the best place in Europe to admire glacier calving. One of the spectacular effects of this phenomenon is the nearby Diamond Beach. Another place worth visiting…