Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi. Two unique must-see Waterfalls in Iceland.

Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi are among the most visited waterfalls in Iceland. And for a good reason. They are both quite unique and they’re also easily accessible as they are located right by the main road (the Ring Road). Very convenient.

Seljalandsfoss is the bigger one of these two and you can clearly see it from the main road. I actually don’t think it looks that much from the road (maybe that’s just me, being “waterfall-spoiled”! :D) but when you come up close to it, you see it’s really beautiful.

You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss

What makes Seljalandsfoss unique is that you can walk behind it. Which really adds to the experience but also gets you pretty wet! A raincoat or a rain poncho is therefore a good or even necessary thing to bring with you if you plan to take a walk behind it. Which I, by the way, totally recommend you do. Just remember to wear sturdy shoes as the trail is rocky in some places and muddy in others. When you add the water mist from the falls to the mix, the whole thing becomes very slippery. So please be careful.

The Trail behind the falls is sometimes closed in the Winter Time

Please note the trail behind the falls can be closed for security reasons in the winter months. During that time of year, the ground around the falls can get very icy, hence the closure. If you visit Seljalandsfoss on a day when the temperature is below the freezing point, it’s always a good idea to bring some kind of crampons. Otherwise it can be very hard for you to stay on your feet on the icy ground. This actually applies to all waterfall visits in Iceland.

I’m still regretting not having filmed all the people I saw there without crampons on a cold winter day a few years ago. It was hilarious to watch them struggling to stay on their feet on the icy ground. I sincerely hope no one got hurt though as I wouldn’t wish a visit to the emergency room upon anyone while here in Iceland. But it sure was funny to watch.

Glúfrabúi is tucked away in some kind of a Cave

In a few hundred meters walking distance from Seljalandsfoss, you’ll find Gljúfrabúi. Another unique waterfall definitely worth checking out. To reach it, you walk through a gap in the rocks and enter a waterfall “chamber” or a cave without a roof. Depending on the weather conditions when you’re there it can be like walking into a scene from the film Frozen. But no matter the season, it’s a very cool location for a waterfall and always a beautiful sight.

The water from Gljúfrabúi runs through the gap you need to walk through to get to the falls. There are some stones you can step on so you don’t have to wade the stream but please be aware that good shoes are necessary here. Some of the stones stand out of the water but some are just under the water surface. Therefore it’s ideal to wear some shoes that are sturdy and somewhat water resistant.

When you get into the cave, you’ll stand very close to the falls which again means you’ll get pretty wet. So the same goes for those who visit Glúfrabúi and those who want to walk behind Seljalandsfoss. A raincoat or a rain poncho is an excellent idea to bring along.

I think Glúfrabúi is an amazing waterfall. The location of it makes it so special. Magical even. You certainly don’t want to skip it when visiting Seljalandsfoss. It’s without a doubt worth the short walk (about 1.2km/0.75mi return trip).

You can visit both Seljalandsfoss and Glúfrabúi Day or Night

You can visit Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi at any time as it’s open 24/7. When this is written (in 2022) the parking is 700 ISK. I choose to look at the parking fee as some kind of a facility fee as it also gives you access to the restrooms on site.

Here you’ll also find a souvenir shop and some kind of a food truck that offers some light refreshments year round.

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Until next time!

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