This realistic Svartifoss Waterfall Hike Skaftafell Guide helps you plan your next adventure in this national park.

Svartifoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland. It is in the largest national park in the country.

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Sights & Places of Interest

Most people visit Skaftafell to see Svartifoss waterfall. Lava columns surround this waterfall. This view made it a very popular destination.

But there are plenty of other easy-to-reach sights in the park. You can see a few lesser known waterfalls along the way. You might also want to visit an arm of the second largest ice cap in Europe.

Skaftafell Park History

Skaftafell is a national park. It used to be the second oldest national park in the country. It became a park in 1967, just 37 years after Thingvellir. The latter park is close to the capital city on the Golden Circle Iceland route.

Skaftafell became part of Vatnajokull National Park after its creation in 2008. Since then it operates as a unit of one of the largest national parks in Europe.

While it makes operational sense, this structure could create challenges for visitors planning a trip to Skaftafell. Researching the trail maps and routes is not straightforward.

This Svartifoss Waterfall Hike Skaftafell Guide aims to give you key information so you can save time.

Svartifoss Waterfall Hike

There are a couple of trailheads that lead to one of the iconic waterfalls in Iceland. You can start your hike from the Visitor Center.

But there is a shorter yet more scenic path. In this case you need to park at the end of the paved road. Here are the Svartifoss Waterfall Hike’s key facts:

• Length: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip
• Elevation gain: 439 ft (133 m)
• Difficulty: easy
• Type: out-and-back or loop if you extend your hike to see a glacier

The first leg of the Svartifoss Waterfall Hike in Skaftafell follows the S2 route. You will be hiking in a beautiful forest. Cherish these moments since you will soon go above the tree line.

The no-name viewpoints will show a rocky creek below. The creek has a powerful current. It is natural to want to see it closer.

But resist the temptation. The ground at the viewpoints is often unstable. Stay safe and keep off the edge.

Hundafoss

You will get a clear view of the creek in just a few minutes. In fact, you will see a creek and a waterfall.

Hundafoss waterfall will be the first in a group of waterfalls on this trail. This waterfall is 82 ft (25 m) high. It looks most similar to Oxararfoss waterfall on the Golden Circle route.

You will see Magnusarfoss waterfall just a few minutes after. This waterfall is behind a ranger hut and an electricity pole. As a result, it is not the most scenic waterfall in the park.

The trail quickly loses elevation right after the waterfall. You would need to cross the creek. You will have to hike uphill to regain it right after the crossing. This section of the trail has bushes on both sides.

Svartifoss

You will get a first clear but distant look at Svartifoss waterfall at the 0.8-mi (1.3-km) mark. There is a large viewpoint for you to enjoy the view. Budget about 30 minutes to reach the viewpoint from the parking lot.

There is a way to get closer to this waterfall. You need to take a short 800-ft (0.25 m) trail. This path goes downhill to the creek level. Once again, you will lose some of the elevation gained.

On the bright side, you will be within feet (meters) from this waterfall. You can admire this waterfall and its lava columns up-close. The columns make this waterfall scenic and unique.

You will have three options after you stopped at Svartifoss waterfall.

• You could return to the parking lot via the same path.
• You could take the slightly longer S2 and S3 trails.
• Or you could extend your hike by about 2.5 mi (4 km) to see a glacier.

The next section of this Svartifoss Waterfall Hike Skaftafell Guide will walk you through the glacier hike.

Skaftafell Glacier Hike

The hike to the Glacier viewpoint from the waterfall covers 1.5 miles (2.5 km). At first, you would need to hike back to the waterfall viewpoint. The S6 trail will continue gaining elevation for a short while.

This view towards the parking lot and the visitor center gives you an idea of the hike’s elevation gain. The parking lot is at the river level.

As you hike further and further uphill, you will notice a change in scenery. Forests and bushes will give way to meadows and swamps. Surprisingly, the views will only get better.

You will get a chance to see Skaftafell plants next to the trail. There will be lots of blooming flowers. They will be trying to make the most from the brief summer.

The trail will proceed through the cranberry fields. You will see lots of these berries growing in the swamps. Wooden logs will take place of the gravel path in the swampy areas.

If cranberries and flowers are not enough to keep you interested, look for mushrooms. A lot of large wild mushrooms grow right next to the trail.

Eystragil Valley

You will cross another creek as you enter the Eystragil Valley.

This valley has some of the best views in the park. You will see Kristinartindar mountain in the distance. A no-name waterfall flows from the canyon wall. Together they will make for an amazing combination.

The clouds often cover the mountain. You could see the weather rapidly change in front of your eyes.

Kristinartindar Mountain

If you are feeling adventurous, you could extend your hike to the top of Kristinartindar mountain. This hike is gruesome. You would need to gain 2,359 ft (719 m) over 3.2 miles (5.1 km) from the glacier viewpoint alone.

It will take you about 2 hours to reach the mountain peak from the glacier viewpoint. You would need to budget at least 2 more hours for the return hike.

You would hike a total of 11 miles (18 km) if you visit Svartifoss, Kristinartindar Peak, and Skaftafell Glacier. The total elevation gain of this route is almost 3,700 ft (1,127 m).

You should only attempt this hike if you have an appropriate fitness level. Also, start early so you can finish the hike before the sunset.

The views of Morsarfoss waterfall will be the reward for this challenging hike. This is the only way to see the waterfall from the ground. It is the highest waterfall in Iceland. Its height is at least 745 ft (227 m).

Skaftafell Glacier

There is still plenty to see if you decide against hiking to the top of the mountain. The hike through the valley will make the time fly by.

You will arrive at the glacier viewpoint quite soon. You will enjoy incredible views of the glacier.

Skaftafell Glacier is not the most picturesque. It has a lot more grey and black colors than white and blue. It slightly pales in comparison with Root, Matanuska, and Exit Glaciers in Alaska.

You might get a better view of this glacier if you are lucky to visit it during sunny weather.

Similar to most glaciers, this glacier formed a lagoon. It has a few icebergs. The lagoon feeds into the Morsa River and the North Atlantic Ocean.

The hike back to the parking lot goes via S5 and S6 trails. This is a downhill hike.

Continue with this Svartifoss Waterfall Hike Skaftafell Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Skaftafell

Skaftafell National Park is in Eastern Region of Iceland. The Visitor Center and the trailhead are just off the Ring Road (Route 1). But it takes a while to reach them.

The visitor center is about 4.5 hours from the capital city. Add another 30 minutes to your journey if you are driving to Skaftafell from Keflavik Airport.

The location of the park makes it too far for a day trip. You are better off exploring it as part of the Ring Road drive across the country.

There are a few tours that visit this park. But you would really want to rent a car to enjoy a glacier hike.

Where to Stay

There are a few places to stay near Skaftafell. But there is no one town or village nearby that has a lot of options.

You will have to try your luck with the guest houses along the Ring Road. Hopefully, they are within your budget. And their offering is to your liking.

Otherwise, you will have to drive to Vik in the west or Hofn in the east. Both villages have a few places to stay for you to choose from. You might get a slightly better deal in these villages.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

You can visit Skaftafell 24 hours a day every day of the year. The visitor center is open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during most of the year. It has longer hours in the spring and summer.

The park charges parking fees. You would need to pay ISK 1,000 (~$7) per car to park and hike the trails.

Takeaways: Svartifoss Waterfall Hike Skaftafell

Svartifoss in Skaftafell is a beautiful waterfall. It is easy to see why it attracts so many visitors each year. You can reach the waterfall via a short and easy hike.

You will not regret it if you give this park more of your time. Extend your hike to see Skaftafell glacier. This glacier arm might not have the prettiest colors. But a trip to the viewpoint will bring you through beautiful swamps and meadows.

Skaftafell is an excellent stop on the Iceland Ring Road itinerary. But it is just a bit too far for a day trip. The park can be a destination in itself. But you will enjoy it even more if you pair it with other sights in East and South Iceland.

Take a look at this Svartifoss Waterfall Hike Skaftafell Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!