Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Skógafoss: One of the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland

Skógafoss is one of the more popular sites to see in Iceland because it is considered to be one of the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls in the country — and because it is easily accessible from the main highway, as it is only two kilometers north of Ring Road.

Skógafoss: One of the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Visitors can immediately view Skógafoss from their vehicles in the parking lot…

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

…but you can also climb the stairs up the hill on the east side of the falls to see it from the top — as well as gain access to one of the most popular hiking and trekking trails in Iceland, which leads towards the Fimmvörðuháls pass between the Eyjafjallajökull Glacier and the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier from which the Skógá River emanates. Once you are there, you are then halfway to the Highlands oasis of Þórsmörk on the other side; and it continues as the Laugavegur trail to Landmannalaugar. Along the way — upon hiking the Skógaheiði moors — you can view a total of 22 assorted waterfalls and rapids which adorn the Skógá River.

I did not hike beyond the top of Skógafoss because hiking the entire approximately 13 miles of this trail can consume between eight hours and 12 hours each way.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The hill is not a difficult climb — although it may be a challenge for some visitors to Skógafoss…

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

…but the views of Skógafoss from the top are well worth the climb…

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

…as is the surrounding mountainous landscape of the Highlands of Iceland beyond the top of Skógafoss…

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

…and the view of the Skógá River — as well as the parking lot — below Skógafoss as well.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Off in the distance is the Atlantic Ocean — although at one time, the coastline of southern Iceland was once near the bottom of the hill before the waters gradually receded southward approximately five kilometers or 3.1 miles. The cliffs are ancient coastal cliffs, which were formed by marine erosion at the end of the last ice age.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Depending on where you and the sun are located in relation to Skógafoss — preferably with the sun behind you — you can see either a single rainbow or a double rainbow.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The Skógá River flows over a layer of hard rock — until it reaches along the edge of the moor and rushes down the waterfall itself.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The Skógá River flows southward from Skógafoss under Highway 1 towards the Atlantic Ocean, into which it empties.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

According to legend, Þrasi Þórólfsson — who was the first Viking settler in the area — buried his treasure chest of gold in a cave behind Skógafoss; and for a long time, one end of the chest was visible through the waterfall.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Three men from Skógar once tried to retrieve the treasure chest by placing a hook in an iron ring on the side of the chest — but it was so heavy that the iron ring came loose; and the mission was ultimately aborted.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The iron ring was allegedly given to the local church and used on its door. The iron ring is now located in the Skógar folk museum.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The lone man shown at the bottom of Skógafoss gives an indication of the perspective and the scale of the waterfall, which measures approximately 82 feet or 25 meters wide and 200 feet or 60 meters tall.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Summary

Skógafoss is located on the Skógá River off Highway 1 — which is the road that rings around Iceland — near the southernmost part of the island country approximately 156 kilometers east southeast of the city center of Reykjavík. Driving time is approximately two hours each way.

Facilities are located at the Skogar tourism information center, Skogar Museum, or at nearby lodging establishments. You can stay as long as you like, as it is technically open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year; but expect large crowds of people during the peak season of the summer months. Give yourself a minimum of 20 minutes to enjoy the natural beauty of Skógafoss — but I would recommend at least 90 minutes if you want to walk up and down the hill.

If you plan on hiking on the aforementioned trail, you may be able to do the hike in one entire day — but you will more likely need two days and stay overnight at either the Baldvinsskali Hut or the Fimmvörðuháls Hut; and reservations should be booked well in advance.

No admission charge needs to be paid to either enter the area where Skógafoss is located — nor are you required to pay to park your vehicle in the parking lot.

For more details about my experiences during my eleven days in Iceland, please read the following articles:

All photographs ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

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