About Skógafoss
Standing as one of the most famous and iconic natural landmarks in Iceland, Skógafoss is a breathtaking force of nature located on the Skógá River in the south of the country. Dropping an impressive 60 meters (nearly 200 feet) with a wide width of 25 meters (82 feet), the sheer volume of water cascading over the former sea cliffs creates a thunderous roar and a perpetual curtain of mist that envelops visitors in an enchanting sensory experience.
Because of the constant spray generated by the waterfall, sunshine regularly produces brilliant single and double rainbows across the mist, creating phenomenal photography opportunities. Visitors can walk directly up to the massive wall of water near the base—just make sure to wear waterproof clothing, as you will get soaked within seconds!
For those looking to get a different perspective, a steep staircase of around 500 steps winds up the side of the cliff to a viewing platform above the drop. From the top, you gain sweeping views of the southern coastline and the winding river below. This top point also marks the trailhead for the famous Fimmvörðuháls hiking route, which leads trekkers between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull into the dramatic Thórsmörk valley.
History
Geologically, the cliffs over which Skógafoss tumbles were once part of Iceland's ancient coastline. Over thousands of years, as the glaciers receded and land mass shifted, the coastline retreated several kilometers outward to its present location, leaving behind dramatic coastal bluffs that now border the lowlands.
Beyond its geological history, Skógafoss is steeped in Icelandic folklore. According to local legend, the first Viking settler in the area, Þrasi Þórólfsson (Thrasi Thorolfsson), hid a heavy chest filled with gold coins in a cave deep behind the cascading waters of Skógafoss around the early 10th century. Storytellers say that for centuries, locals could see the glint of gold reflecting through the thunderous curtain of water.
A popular tale holds that years later, a young local boy attempted to retrieve the chest. He managed to hook a ring on the side of the wooden chest, but as he pulled, the ring snapped off and the chest sank into the depths of the river basin. Today, that golden ring is said to be preserved in the nearby Skógar Folk Museum (Skógasafn), serving as a lasting connection to the legend of Þrasi's lost treasure.