Skógafoss Waterfall
The big finale of our favourite south-coast day — a thundering 60-meter curtain of water about an hour and three-quarters from the cabin, famous for its rainbows and the long staircase that climbs to the top.
Why we love Skógafoss
When guests ask how far east to push on a south-coast day, Skógafoss is usually where we tell them to turn around — it's about an hour and three-quarters from the cabin and makes a fitting grand finale. It's wide, it's loud, and you can walk right up close to the base. Be warned: get too close and you'll be drenched in seconds, so this is another one where waterproofs earn their keep.
The thing we always hope guests catch is the rainbows. The falls throw up so much spray that on a sunny day you'll often see one, sometimes two, arcing across the bottom of the cascade — it's why this is one of the most photographed spots in the country. We'd time your visit for when the sun is out and a little behind you, and bring a cloth to keep wiping the lens.
There's a long staircase climbing the cliff beside the falls — 527 steps, as the locals will happily tell you — and the view from the top, looking down the cascade and out toward the coast, is well worth the puff. From up there the path carries on into the highlands along a famous hiking trail, though most of our guests are happy just to enjoy the viewpoint and head back down. If you're building a full day around it, start at Seljalandsfoss and work your way east, with the hidden ravine at Nauthúsagil in between.
Distance from Cabin
~118 km / about 1 hour 40 minutes by car from Northern Lights Cabin via Route 1 (Hringvegur).
Best Light
Come on a sunny day with the sun behind you for the best shot at rainbows in the spray. Climb the staircase for the view from the top.
Visit Duration
45–90 minutes. Add extra time for the 527-step staircase to the top. Open year-round, 24/7.
Admission
Free entry and free parking. The Skógar Folk Museum is nearby for an additional fee.
Skógafoss Gallery
Photos from our visits to this magnificent waterfall on Iceland's south coast.
Location & Directions
Skógafoss is about a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Northern Lights Cabin along the scenic south coast.
From Northern Lights Cabin
- Distance: ~118 km (73 miles)
- Drive time: ~1 hour 40 minutes
- Route: Head south to Route 1 (Hringvegur / Ring Road) and drive east along the south coast. Skógafoss is clearly signposted.
- Parking: Free parking lot right at the waterfall. Short walk from the car to the base of the falls.
Good to Know
- Wear waterproof clothing — you will get soaked near the base of the falls!
- The 527-step staircase to the top is steep but worth it for the incredible views.
- Visit on a sunny day for the best chance of seeing rainbows in the spray.
- Combine with nearby Seljalandsfoss (30 km west) for an epic waterfall day trip along the south coast.