Have You Heard about the Amazing Skógafoss Waterfall Hike?

The Skógafoss Waterfall Hike is also called the Waterfall Way Hike. Or the Skógá Trail. It actually doesn’t have an official name as it’s a part of a longer popular trail, the Fimmvörðuháls Trail. The part we are talking about here is a 16km/10mi trail (round trip) but of course you can turn around whenever you feel like it. If on the other hand you have the time and the energy I totally recommend you do the whole trail.

On this trail you’ll get to see over 20 different waterfalls and in many places, some stunning gorge views. You might also stumble upon a sheep here and there but that’s the most dangerous species you’ll find on your hikes in Icelandic nature. Meaning, there are no dangerous animals in Iceland!

Please note that the best time for this hike is June-September when there is (or at least shouldn’t be) any snow on the trail. I prefer to do it in July or August when the grass is green but that’s definitely not a must. Just a nice added bonus.

Skógafoss Waterfall Hike in a Nutshell

• Distance 16km/10mi
• Elevation 500m/1640ft
• Duration 4-6 hours

The Skógafoss Waterfall Hike Trailhead

So where do you start this hike? The short and probably obvious answer is by Skógafoss Waterfall.

Skógafoss Waterfall is one of the most popular sites in Iceland. It’s located on the south coast, right by the ring road and is therefore easily accessible. You can even see it very clearly from the main road when you drive by. But as you can imagine, it’s not recommended to just drive by and call it a day. Not at all. It’s way more magnificent to get up close and personal to it. Feel the power from the falling water and take a picture or two 🙂

Hiking is by far my favourite outdoor activity and I recommend all visitors to fit at least one hike in their itinerary when planning a trip to Iceland. In my opinion, hiking is the best way to really experience and get the feel of this magical country that Iceland is.

A hike doesn’t have to be long to do the trick. Even a short walk can leave you in awe and do wonders for your soul. Sometimes it’s just about taking a little walk or a short hike when you’re at a popular sight. Walk a little bit further than the rest of the crowd. This simple act can add a whole lot to your experience of a particular sight.

Get the most out of your Visit to Skógafoss Waterfall by Escaping the Crowds

A good example of this is Skógarfoss Waterfall Hike. If you climb up the stairs by the waterfall and keep on walking up along the river, you are in for a treat. This is the first part of the very popular Fimmvörðuháls Trail that leads you to gorgeous Þórsmörk. The whole trail is about 24km/15mi but the very first part of it, the Waterfall Way, is totally worth it as a hike of its own. 

I did the Fimmvörðuháls hike a few years ago and found this part of the hike so amazing. I decided then I would hike this part again someday and so I did this summer. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Actually it was even more gorgeous than I remembered. It looks like it has its advantages to have a slightly poor memory. Then your second time around at a place or a hike can be almost like your first time! That must count for something, right?

The Skógafoss Waterfall Hike itself

As mentioned before, the hike starts by climbing the stairs by Skógafoss Waterfall. In my opinion this is the hardest part of the hike. There are quite many steps (somewhere around 400) and the climb is pretty steep.

So, you’ll probably have to take a break when you reach the top of the stairs to catch your breath. But that’s totally normal. Just don’t let these stairs scare you from hiking further up along the river called Skógá River. When you reach the top of the stairs, the hardest part is over. The rest of the hike has much more gradual elevation.

Not Necessary to do the Whole Hike to get an Amazing Experience

If you hike all the way to the last waterfall, the total distance is about 16km/10mi. If you have the time and energy, I recommend you do it all for sure. But the beauty of this hike is that you don’t need to hike all the way to get a wonderful experience out of it. After all, there are over 20 different waterfalls on this trail so you’ll be able to see plenty even if you don’t finish it.

You’ll See over 20 Waterfalls on the Skógafoss Waterfall Hike

When you hear this number, 20 waterfalls, you might think it can’t be worth hiking all this way. I mean when you’ve seen 5 you must have seen them all. Right? The weird thing is that you haven’t. Each and every waterfall is so different and the diversity of the waterfalls is the beauty of this hike. I had planned to keep track of them all but I lost count at some point. But believe me, you’ll see a lot of waterfalls on this Waterfall Way Hike. It’s name is very appropriate for sure.

And just to be clear. It’s not just about the waterfalls. This hike also offers beautiful mountain and gorge views while you hike through a lush, green landscape (at least if you’re there in July or August). So again, if you have the time and energy, I recommend doing the whole hike. If you do that, you should reserve 4-6 hours for it.

How long exactly it will take you, depends mainly on two things. Your physical form and how many photo stops you want to take. There are endless photo opportunities on this beautiful trail so you will stop a lot. You can count on that. In some places it’s also just nice to sit and enjoy the view. Take it all in. In my mind it’s very important not to forget that part. To give yourself time to take a breather and just be in the moment. Enjoy where you’re at.

I also recommend you wear some sturdy shoes, not just some sneakers. The trail will feel a bit “off road” in some sections. Full blown hiking boots are not necessary though, you just need to be prepared for some uneven surfaces.

Skógafoss Waterfall’s Little but Beautiful Hidden Neighbour

You think you haven’t seen enough waterfalls after doing the Skógafoss Waterfall Hike? Or possibly you think that trail is too much hiking for you? Or you don’t have the time? Then I have a great alternative for you.

Kvernufoss Waterfall is tucked away in the bottom of a small but beautiful ravine close to Skógafoss. It isn’t clearly visible from the main road like Skógafoss but it’s easy to find when you know where to look.

The walk to Kvernufoss Waterfall is an easy one and totally worth it if you ask me. It’s about 2km /1.2mi round trip with almost no elevation. The gravel trail is wide and even until you get closer to the waterfall. Then it becomes narrow and a bit crooked. Which adds to the charm of the location. Click here for all you need to know about Kvernufoss Waterfall. A hidden gem in plain sight.

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Until next time!