Situated close to the small village of Skógar, Skógafoss is likely one of the largest and most well-known waterfalls in Iceland, reachable from Reykjavik in beneath two hours and simply seen from Iceland’s Route 1 ring highway. The falls are 25 metres extensive, and with a drop of 62 metres, is the fifth highest waterfall in Iceland. The title Skógafoss actually means ‘forest waterfall’, reminding us that this space was as soon as coated in timber.
Skógafoss has featured in quite a few music movies in addition to the Marvel Studios movie Thor: The Darkish World in addition to in Season 8 of Recreation of Thrones. In The Secret Lifetime of Walter Mitty, Skógafoss was used within the footage on his option to the Himalayas, regardless of it’s true location being in Iceland.
On the japanese facet of the waterfall, there’s a path that results in a staircase with nearly 500 steps and that, in flip, results in an commentary platform simply above the cascade. The stroll up is manageable for most individuals with a reasonable stage of health, even in the event you select to have the occasional breather, and price it for the views. Look out for nesting seabirds in your approach up, in addition to the northern fulmars that patrol the skies.
This path additionally marks the beginning (or end) of a preferred mountaineering route often called the Fimmvörðuháls Move. This path is 22 kilometres lengthy, accessible solely within the Summer season. Even in the event you simply enterprise a brief approach alongside it and switch again, you will note quite a lot of extra waterfalls. If strolling the complete route from Skógafoss, the route takes you alongside the Skógá River, between Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull (each of which feed the river with meltwater), earlier than ending on the lovely Þórsmörk valley.
At Skógafoss, the Skógá River cascades over a cliff which might have as soon as been Iceland’s south coast. This former sea cliff runs parallel to the current day shoreline for tons of of kilometres, creating a transparent distinction between the coastal lowlands and the Highlands of Iceland.
From the highest, you can’t solely benefit from the large energy of this wonderful waterfall, but in addition admire views in direction of the Atlantic Ocean.
The river under the falls is widespread with fishermen as a result of it holds a big salmon and char poplation. The numbers had fallen after the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 however at the moment are stated to be thriving once more.
Again at floor stage, you’ll be able to stroll as near this staggeringly lovely waterfall as you care to go, however beware… there may be a whole lot of spray and also you’re more likely to get soaked! If in case you have a rain cowl to your digital camera, then by all means carry it.
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Legend has it that the primary Viking settler within the space, Þrasi Þórólfsson, apparently an enormous, buried treasure in a cave behind the waterfall earlier than his demise in 900 AD. A younger native man apparently discovered the chest some years later, tied a rope to its ring deal with and tried to tug it out, however the deal with ring got here away and the chest was by no means seen once more. This deal with was stated to have been given to the native church at Skógar village and used on its door. In the present day, that previous church door ring could be seen within the Skógar Folks Museum.
On sunny days it’s not unusual to see single or double rainbows within the spray produced from Skógafoss. Sadly, we weren’t in luck on that entrance because the sky was overcast on the time of our go to.
Entry to the falls is simple with a carpark very shut by. There’s a bathroom on the entrance to the automobile park additionally which you will must pay for; it occurred to be open to all after we have been stopped by, however have some change with you simply in case.
Planning a visit to Iceland your self? You possibly can watch a video from our journey to Iceland right here. You possibly can see footage from Skógafoss between 5m 29s to 5m 44s:
Our journey to Iceland was additionally sponsored by Helly Hansen.
