This realistic Skogafoss South Iceland Guide helps you plan your next adventure in this region.

South Iceland is a place with powerful waterfalls, deep canyons, and black sand beaches. It is an easy to visit region on a trip to Iceland.

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Sights & Places of Interest

Southern Region is an area of the country that borders Capital Region. South Iceland is rich in sights. Its close proximity to the capital city made it a popular tourist destination.

In fact, many of the sights in South Iceland could rival the Golden Circle in the number of visitors.

You can explore some of the sights in the region from Reykjavik. Or you could visit South Iceland on a full circle road trip on the Ring Road.

• If a day is all you have to explore the region, visit Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
• If you you have about 1.5 days, add Fjadrargljufur Canyon and waterfalls near the region line with East Iceland.

This Skogafoss South Iceland Guide will follow an eastbound exploration path from Reykjavik.

1. Enjoy Urridafoss Waterfall Before it Disappears

Urridafoss waterfall will be your first stop in South Iceland if you travel from Reykjavik or Keflavik Airport.

• It is a short drive from Selfoss, the largest town in the region.
• You can reach it in 75 minutes from the capital city.

This waterfall is on the Thjorsa River. Like many rivers on the island, this river has a glacial origin. It continues for 143 miles (230 km) before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.

You would need to take a short gravel side road from the Ring Road to get to the waterfall viewpoint. You will arrive at a small car park. As soon as you get out of the car you can see the waterfall.

This waterfall is not the most scenic in the country. There are many falls across Iceland that look similar. Many waterfalls flow into canyons or grottos that make them unique. But it is not the case with Urridafoss.

As a result, very few tourists take the side road to see it. Unless you happen to visit the falls when a tour bus rolls in, you can enjoy the views in solitude.

On the other hand, this waterfall is quite powerful. There are ongoing discussions about building a hydropower plant upstream. If these plans go forward, Urridafoss might disappear.

It is best to hurry up and visit it before this waterfall becomes a piece of history.

2. Go Behind Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Your next stop on the South Iceland itinerary will be far more crowded. Seljalandsfoss waterfall attracts a lot of tourists no matter when you visit.

This waterfall has a respectable 213-ft (65-m) drop.

• It makes this waterfall the 15th highest waterfall on the island.
• It is 16 ft (5 m) higher than the famous Skogafoss waterfall.
• But it is behind a few other waterfalls you can see in South Iceland, like Systrafoss.

The height of this waterfall is one reason for the crowds. But it is not the main one. The stream of the waterfall is not as powerful as many other waterfalls in Iceland. So it cannot be a reason.

There is another explanation. This waterfall offers a fairly uncommon experience to the visitors. It is one of the few waterfalls on the island that you could walk behind.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall became part of most tour routes in South Iceland. Almost every tour bus makes a stop at this waterfall.

This popularity came with some improvements. You can reach the waterfall by taking a 0.4-mi (0.7-km) paved road from the Ring Road. A gravel lot has lots of parking spots. There is a restroom and a gift shop.

You just need to pay for your visit. The fee is about ISK 900 ($6.5) per car. You can reach Seljalandsfoss in about 50 minutes from Urridafoss.

2.1. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Hike

Once you have parked, paid, and displayed a receipt, you can start exploring the waterfall. There is a 0.3-mi (0.5-km) accessible loop path. It brings you from the parking lot to the grotto behind the waterfall.

Once you get close to the waterfall, you will feel the mist and water droplets. It would still be nothing compared to Dettifoss waterfall in Northern Iceland.

You will get almost no mist when you are inside a grotto. As you pass the stream, try to get a picture without the tourists in your frame. This is not as easy as it sounds.

The loop path will bring you back to the main trail. You can return to the parking lot. But there is also another path if time is not an issue.

2.2. Gljufrabui Waterfall Hike

This path would allow you to extend your hike and see another waterfall. In this case, you will hike 1.2 miles (2 km) round trip.

You would also want to have a waterproof jacket and boots. These items will help when you are exploring Gljufrabui waterfall.

This waterfall is much smaller than Seljalandsfoss. But it is not the power or height that make it a tourist magnet. This waterfall is in a narrow canyon. This canyon looks like a deep well.

The last few hundred feet (meters) to the waterfall look as if you hike the floor of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. The narrow canyon will open up towards the waterfall.

This opening looks similar to a slot canyon. It just like the canyons of Cathedral Gorge in Nevada. Now imagine a waterfall that is flowing from the ceiling.

Together, a narrow canyon and opening guarantee that there will be water everywhere. This is the time when you will thank your waterproof jacket.

You will also be hiking on a muddy path. Waterproof boots will help you not worry about getting your feet wet.

Gljufrabui waterfall is the last attraction in this park. You would have to return to the parking lot via the same out-and-back trail.

3. Visit Famous Skogafoss Waterfall

Skogafoss should be your next stop on the South Iceland itinerary. This waterfall is about 30 minutes east from the grotto falls on the Ring Road.

It is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. It is also among the most powerful and highest waterfalls in the country. Skogafoss waterfall nearly has it all.

• It drops 197 ft (60 m).
• The waterfall is 82 ft (25 m) wide.
• It is just over 2 hours from Reykjavik.
• There is no parking fee.

A beautiful waterfall, close to the capital city, that does not charge a fee. It sounds too good to be true!

Crowds of tourists are the main and only downside for visiting Skogafoss waterfall.

• Get ready for a lengthy search for parking.
• Once you found a spot, you will be hiking in a crowd.
• It will be difficult to get a shot of the waterfall without other people getting in your way.

But you should still make a stop at Skogafoss. If you can try to visit this waterfall early in the morning or late in the evening.

This way, you can beat the crowd from the tourist buses. Most tours need 2.5 hours to drive to or from Reykjavik.

3.1. Skogafoss Waterfall Hike

You can explore the waterfall in two ways. You could approach it from the river level. Or you could hike up the Skogafoss stairs to see the waterfall from the above.

The former path is easy. You can complete the 0.3-mi (0.5-km) return hike in 10 to 15 minutes. Get ready to deal with the mist. You would want to wear your rainproof jacket again.

The Skogafoss stairs are a more challenging path. You will hike just 0.6 miles (1 km). But you will have to climb up about 279 ft (85 m). This is the entire drop of Skogafoss waterfall and then some.

The views from the top observation deck are not as amazing as the uphill hike would suggest. You can skip the uphill section if you have a long road ahead of you.

4. See Natural Arch at Dyrholaey Peninsula

The next few sights will give you a break from the waterfalls. You will be heading to the black sand beaches.

The next section of this Skogafoss South Iceland Guide will describe black sand beaches and volcanic formations.

Dyrholaey is a peninsula with a black sand beach, natural arch, and a lighthouse. You can reach it in about 30 minutes from Skogafoss waterfall.

You will be following the Ring Road eastbound for most of the way. The last stretch of the journey will bring you via the paved road 218 to the viewpoint.

The viewpoint parking is free. But you have to pay ISK 200 ($1.5) to use a restroom.

You can reach Kirkjufjara Beach if you hike for a few minutes from the viewpoint. This black sand beach is an excellent spot to see volcanic formations.

You will see a lot of frozen lava. The Natural Arch will be also in sight. The arch is much bigger than the similar formations in Channel Islands and Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks.

You will only get a distant view of the arch from this viewpoint. You could take a 2.8-mi (4.5-km) out-and-back cliff walk to the arch. The path will look similar to Cliffs of Moher and Kerry Cliffs in Ireland.

If hiking is not your cup of tea, you could drive 1.2-mi (2-km) on a gravel road. The road will bring you to the lighthouse. Another viewpoint is next to the lighthouse. You will get a much better view of the arch.

But before you jump in the car, do not forget to explore the other side of the Dyrholaey viewpoint.

4.1. Arnardrangur Cliff

You can enjoy fantastic views of Reynisfjara black sand beach. This is one of the most famous beaches in Iceland. Almost every tourist to the country who ventures outside of Reykjavik visits Reynisfjara.

This viewpoint is a great place to see Arnardrangur. This lone standing cliff is a symbol of this black sand beach in South Iceland. You can spend a few minutes watching the waves break at this scenic cliff.

Reynisfjara Beach is on a different peninsula. There is a narrow water passage that connects a large lagoon with the Atlantic Ocean.

This passage also separates Kirkjufjara Beach from Reynisfjara Beach. You would have to return to the Ring Road (Route 1) to overcome this natural barrier. The drive will take 12 miles (19 km).

5. Walk on Black Sand at Reynisfjara Beach

Reynisfjara Beach is the most iconic black sand beach on the island. Whenever someone talks about black sand beaches in Iceland, they will mention this beach sooner or later.

Like with Kirkjufjara Beach, you would need to take a side road from the Ring Road. The paved road 215 will bring you to the beach in about 4 miles (6 km).

You will arrive at a spacious parking lot. The setup is the same as at Dyrholaey. The parking is free. You just need to pay to use a restroom.

The parking lot is right next to the beach. You do not have to walk for long to see the signature cliffs. Reynisdrangar Sea Cliffs are a few hundred meters (feet) in the Atlantic Ocean. Their shapes are sure to catch your attention.

Black sand at Reynisfjara Beach looks more like pebbles. You can enjoy far better black sand at nearby Kirkjufjara Beach.

If your trip brings you around the island, stop at Fauskasandur beach in East Iceland. It is the best black sand beach in the country.

Basalt columns are another signature sight of this beach. They look just like the ones at Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park.

The columns highlight one of the main problems of Reynisfjara Beach. There are simply too many tourists on the beach at any point. Many of them climb the columns to get a better picture.

But this irresponsible behavior leads to more than imperfect pictures. Fall injuries are common.

You should also never turn your back to the ocean. The waves can do more damage than splash some water on your boots.

You would not want to be caught up in the powerful rip currents. The freezing waters of the North Atlantic Ocean could make it difficult to come out unscathed.

6. Take a Break in Vik

Once you finish your walk on the black sand beach, you will need to get back on the road. The eastbound Ring Road will bring you around the mountain.

You will find yourself in a small village of Vik. It gained traction in the last decade thanks to the tourist crowds. There is little to see in the village.

But it is one of the few places in South Iceland you could get some food. There are over 10 restaurants to choose from in Vik. This is an unheard of variety for Icelandic countryside.

The restaurants and food joints serve different cuisines. Their hours often align with the tour bus arrivals. You would not want to be in Vik around lunch time. This is when the crowds are largest.

Try to time your visit to before 11:30 a.m. or just past 2 p.m. This way, you can enjoy your lunch with a lot less people.

Vik is also a good spot to find a place to stay if you travel at a different pace. There are a few hotels and guest houses for you to choose from.

7. Hike Fjadrargljufur Canyon

This section of the Skogafoss South Iceland Guide will discuss a hike to an iconic sight in the region.

This attraction involves a much longer drive. You can admire majestic cliffs and vivid landscapes. But you can proceed from Vik to Fjadrargljufur Canyon without stops for almost an hour.

You would have to take a 2-mi (3.2-km) side road from the main route. This free park has become a major place of interest in South Iceland.

It might take some time to find an open spot. If there are no parking spots at the lower lot, continue to the upper one.

You have to a drive on a gravel road to get there. But it is often faster to drive uphill than wait for a spot down below.

You would need to take out your hiking shoes. You will be hiking for almost 2 miles (3.2 km). This out-and-back trail will take you via an edge of a narrow canyon.

You will start the hike at the river level. The trail will quickly gain elevation. The total elevation gain is about 217 ft (66 m) if you hike just to the viewpoint and back.

There will be a few no name viewpoints on the way to the main observation deck. You can enjoy the views of high cliffs, narrow canyon, and winding river below.

The canyon will become higher and narrower as the trail continues. You will a see an observation deck with railings at the end of the hike.

Other viewpoints lack any safety devices. Keep that in mind when getting close to the edge.

You can enjoy an iconic view of the canyon from the observation deck. The views throughout the hike are breathtaking. It is one of the most picturesque hikes in the entire country.

8. Stop at Sheep Fair

If you visit Fjadrargljufur Canyon on a weekend, you could stop by a local sheep fair. It takes place on the way from the trailhead to the Ring Road.

Unless you speak Icelandic you might not understand how the locals haggle over the price. But you could see a lot of sheep in one place.

9. Enjoy Systrafoss and Stjornarfoss Waterfalls

The next section of this Skogafoss South Iceland Guide will discuss other sights of the region.

There are a few other sights in South Iceland along the Ring Road. But most of them are less popular. There is a simple reason for it.

Even Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is 3.5 hours from the capital city. It is simply too far for a day trip. But these sights are an excellent addition to a full Ring Road itinerary.

There are also a few advantages to visiting these sights.

• Most South Iceland tours do not travel past Vik. You will be enjoying them with far less tourists around.
• Most of these sights do not charge fees. You can enjoy their beauty for free.

9.1. Systrafoss Waterfall

Systrafoss waterfall will be your next stop if you visit from Reykjavik. This powerful waterfall flows at an angle. This is one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. It drops 226 ft (69 m).

You might not get a clear view of Systrafoss waterfall. Private property surrounds its trailhead. Parking could be an issue on this small dead-end street.

9.2. Stjornarfoss Waterfall

The next waterfall is just minutes from Systrafoss waterfall. Stjornarfoss waterfall is much smaller than its neighbor. But there is a free parking lot.

You can reach this waterfall by hiking for a few minutes along the river. Or you could take a picture right from the parking lot.

10. Capture Foss a Sidu Waterfall at Dverghamrar

Your next stops in South Iceland are best enjoyed together. Foss a Sidu is a waterfall. Dverghamrar is a canyon with basalt columns. The challenge is to get a picture of both in one frame.

You would first need to drive for about 15 minutes to get to Dverghamrar. As soon as you park, you need to go deeper into this canyon. The further away you go, the more likely you are to capture a perfect shot of the waterfall.

Foss a Sidu is the 8th highest waterfall in Iceland. It drops 269 ft (82 m). It is about 72 ft (22 m) higher than famous Skogafoss waterfall. The basalt columns are very similar to the ones at Reynisfjara Beach.

Together they make Dverghamrar and Foss a Sidu an even more memorable stop.

In fact, Dverghamrar is one of the few viewpoints to get a picture of this beautiful waterfall. The waterfall is on private property. So you would not be able to get much closer to it.

11. See Lomagnupur Through Fog

The last sight in South Iceland is near the regional line with East Iceland. You just need to stop at a viewpoint. No hike is necessary to enjoy the views.

The stunning Lomagnupur Mountain is just like La Sal Mountains Viewpoint in Arches. This mountain will be in fog and clouds more often than not.

Continue with this Skogafoss South Iceland Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to South Iceland

South Iceland is one of the easiest regions in the country to reach.

You would need to fly into Keflavik Airport since there are no large airports in South Iceland. But many of the sights in the region are just a couple of hours from the capital city.

You can reach Skogafoss in 2 hours from Reykjavik and 2.5 hours from Keflavik Airport. It makes most of the region a great day trip destination from the capital city.

You would want to spend a couple of days in the region to visit the sights past Vik. Fjadrargljufur Canyon, Systrafoss, and Foss a Sidu waterfalls are great additions to the Ring Road itinerary.

You can visit Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and black sand beaches on a tour from Reykjavik. But, like with the rest of Iceland, a rental car is a better choice.

You will have ability to explore the sights at your own pace. You will be able to drive further and go to the sights off the beaten path.

Where to Stay in South Iceland

South Iceland is not the most populous region in the country. Selfoss is the biggest town in the region. Still, it has less than 10,000 residents.

The town is also the closest settlement in South Iceland to Reykjavik. You can find a place to stay in Selfoss. But it will only save you about an hour in driving.

The capital city has a lot more places to stay. You will have more options to find something within your budget.

But the locations of Reykjavik and Selfoss will not work if you explore the more distant sights in South Iceland. You should look into Vik and guest houses along the Ring Road.

This way, you can explore more of this beautiful region.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Most sights in South Iceland are open around the clock throughout the year. You can also visit most of them for free. There are a few exceptions.

• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: there is a parking fee of ISK 900 ($6.5) per car.
• Dyrholaey Viewpoint and Reynisfjara Beach: there are no parking fees. You will pay ISK 200 ($1.5) to use a toilet at either viewpoint.

Takeaways: Skogafoss in South Iceland

South Iceland is a region you should not miss when visiting the country. Its sights give you a better view into rich landscapes of Iceland.

You should add Skogafoss waterfall to your South Iceland itinerary. This free-to-visit waterfall has a right balance of height, width, and power.

You can get close to the waterfall without too much mist. And you can still enjoy it despite all the crowds.

A visit to South Iceland will not be complete without a stop at a black sand beach. Reynisfjara and Kirkjufjara beaches are worth your time. Drive to the Dyrholaey Viewpoint for the best views.

If you have more time in the region, hike Fjadrargljufur Canyon. This hike will be a highlight of your trip to the country.

Other sights in South Iceland are best for a longer Ring Road drive.

Take a look at this Skogafoss South Iceland Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

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