Where is Aldeyjarfoss and how high is it?

Aldeyjarfoss sits on the Skjalfandafljot river in the northern highlands, between Akureyri and Lake Myvatn, about 40 km (25 miles) south of Highway 1 - which already puts it inside the interior. The falls are 20 meters (about 65 feet) high, quite low by Icelandic standards.

Do you need a 4x4 to reach Aldeyjarfoss?

Not to reach the area: Aldeyjarfoss lies at the northern end of the F26, about 3 km (2 miles) from the point where the road turns into ordinary gravel road 842 towards Godafoss and Highway 1. The last stretch to the parking lot, however, climbs a steep driveway that gets very slippery in rain, and that part is for four-wheel drive only. Without such a car, park before the driveway and walk the last 500-800 m (0.3-0.5 mi).

Why are the basalt columns at Aldeyjarfoss so regular?

They look carved, but the shape comes from the way the lava moved, which let it cool evenly throughout - that produces the hexagonal columns. Similar columns can be seen at Reynisfjara, Svartifoss, Litlanesfoss and Borgarvirki, although they are rare outside Iceland. What makes Aldeyjarfoss unusual is their color: sulfur and iron have tinted some of the columns yellow and red instead of the usual black and gray.

Is the shortcut from Myvatn along road 8819 worth taking?

Rarely. Road 8819, Myvatnsheidarvegur, connects road 843 with Highway 1 near Myvatn, but it is about 60 km (37 miles) long, so barely shorter than the route through Fossholl, slower because of the surface, and it bypasses Godafoss. It is a route for a car with high clearance and four-wheel drive, in dry weather, and it is worth asking locals about the current state of the road first.

When can you visit Aldeyjarfoss?

In summer and early autumn. The waterfall is already inside the interior, so snow lingers there: in early May 2023 a reader found the road frozen over some 1 km (0.6 mi) before the parking lot and had to walk about 2 km (1.2 mi) to the falls. Check the road on umferdin.is before you set off.

Top spots off the beaten track | Rumbo Mundo

Iceland

w Iceland - 13 September 2026

Aldeyjarfoss – One of Iceland’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls

Aldeyjarfoss is one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls. It sees far fewer visitors than it deserves, because it lies at the northern end of the F26 mountain road.…

Iceland

w Iceland - 17 September 2026

Stong and Thjodveldisbaer – a Taste of Viking Life

Stöng and Þjóðveldisbærinn (the Commonwealth Farm) are two sites a few kilometers apart in the Þjórsárdalur valley in South Iceland that together show how Icelanders lived at the…

Iceland

w Iceland - 10 September 2026

Thorsmork – the Legendary Thor’s Wilderness

Between the three glaciers Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Tindfjallajökull lies a place considered by many Icelanders to be the most beautiful corner on their island - Thorsmork (Þórsmörk). This…

Iceland

w Iceland - 19 September 2026

Thakgil – a Canyon Between Glaciers

Thakgil (Þakgil) is a hidden canyon located 20 km (12 miles) northeast of the town of Vik, between the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the black sands of Mýrdalssandur. The…

Iceland

w Iceland - 16 September 2026

Surtshellir – a Free Access Lava Cave

Surtshellir, named after Surtr, the fire giant of Norse mythology, is one of the longest lava caves in Iceland. It lies in the Kalmanstunga area, northeast of Reykjavik,…

East Iceland

w East Iceland - 13 September 2026

Studlagil Canyon – Iceland’s Hidden Treasure

Studlagil (Stuðlagil) Canyon is located in northeastern Iceland in the Jökuldalur glacial valley. In good weather its basalt columns of rock, cut through by a beautiful wild river,…

Iceland

w Iceland - 19 September 2026

Skardsvik – a Sandy Beach on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Skardsvik Beach (Skarðsvík Beach) is a sandy beach on the western end of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. The turquoise water, basalt rock formations, golden sand and surrounding mysterious volcanic…

Iceland

w Iceland - 17 September 2026

Raudfeldsgja Gorge – a Beautiful Rock Crevice

Raudfeldsgja Gorge (Rauðfeldsgjá) is the narrowest and, at the same time, the largest rock crevice in Iceland that you can explore from the inside. See where to find…

East Iceland

w East Iceland - 13 September 2026

Laugarfell Mountain Hotel – Eastern Gate to Iceland’s Interior

Laugarfell is a mountain shelter and hotel in the eastern highlands, southwest of the town of Egilsstadir. It is a great place to stay the night and an…

Iceland

w Iceland - 10 September 2026

Top 10 Places in Iceland Off the Beaten Track

For most tourists the plan to see Iceland involves a tour of Route 1, meaning going around the island and visiting the attractions of the so-called Golden Circle.…

Iceland

w Iceland - 17 September 2026

Kolugljufur – the Canyon of the Kola Giantess

Kolugljúfur (Kolugljufur, Icelandic for Kola's Canyon) is a canyon on the Víðidalsá River - one of Iceland's most important salmon rivers, flowing through the Víðidalur valley (up to…

Iceland

w Iceland - 11 September 2026

Haifoss – a Beautiful Waterfall Off the Beaten Track

Háifoss, or High Waterfall, is Iceland's fourth-highest waterfall and certainly one of the prettiest. It's a bit off the beaten track, but well worth a look – especially…