


About
Glymur is a 198-meter waterfall on the Botnsá river in West Iceland.
Iceland's second tallest waterfall at 198 meters. Getting there is an adventure — cave passage, river crossing, steep climb. Not for everyone, but if you're up for it, the reward is massive.
The hike builds anticipation. Through a cave, across a log bridge over a river, up steep trails — then suddenly the canyon opens and 198 meters of white water drops before you. Earned views are the best views.
Was considered Iceland's tallest until Morsárfoss was discovered in 2007. The canyon it falls into, Botnsdalur, was carved by glacial meltwater over thousands of years. The river is called Botnsá.
The hike takes 3-4 hours round trip. The river crossing is easiest in morning before snowmelt raises water levels. Bring good shoes and don't attempt in bad weather. The cave at the start is short but dark — a flashlight helps.
Map of Glymur
64.3908°N, 21.2515°W · West Iceland
Plan your visit
Getting there
- Road 47 (around Hvalfjörður), to Botnsdalur valley · in Botnsdalur valley at the head of Hvalfjörður
The walk
- About 4 hours round trip
Best time
- Summer (winter explicitly warned against)
Heads up
- Winter hiking path can be dangerous; proper equipment and hiking experience needed. Not suitable for those uneasy with heights or challenging hikes.
Off the main road
- 5 km from Route 47
Nearest town
- Melahverfi — 28.2 km away
Distance from Reykjavík
- 43 km in a straight line
What else is close
- 389 mapped places within 20 km
Good to know
- Iceland's tallest waterfall (per the board)Trail crosses the Botnsá river on a logRoute passes through a rock arch / cave passageSource lake Hvalvatn is dammed by old lava and ~160 m deep
Tours near Glymur
Snorkeling Silfra Tour - meet on locationfrom 21.499 ISK
Diving Silfra Tour - Selfdrivefrom 34.499 ISK · 3 h
Self drive: Wetsuit Snorkeling in Silfra - with underwater photosfrom 22.990 ISK · 2 h 30 min
Day Hike to Moskardshnjukar: The Knife's Edgefrom 12.430 ISK · 5 h
Standard Cave Tourfrom 2.000 ISK · 25 min
Day Hike to Grimannsfell: Helgufoss Waterfall and the Literary Legacyfrom 13.418 ISK · 5 h 30 min
Dog Sledding Near Reykjavikfrom 34.900 ISK · 1 h 30 min
Fálkaklettur Via Ferrata close to Reykjavikfrom 19.900 ISK · 3 h
Adventure Park in Nesjavellir's Geothermal Rift Valleyfrom 4.900 ISK · 2 hGlymur weather and conditions
Last updated

Cars & campers
Photos & videos
Nearby
km column = your drive
- 1Staur1 km
- 2Stóragil1 km
- 3Breiðifoss2 km
- 4Folaldafoss2 km
- 5Mígandi5 km
Hot springs
All hot springs →
Fuel
- 1
Ferstikla17 km · 308.7 kr/L - 2
Grundartangi26 km · 308.7 kr/L - 3
Reykholt30 km · 310.9 kr/L
Tours
Day Trek to Akrafjall: The Troll's Mountainfrom 17.656 ISK · 6 hours 30 minutes
From Grundarfjörður Port: Private Snaefellsness Tourfrom 269.900 ISK · 8 hours
Grundarfjörður Cruise Tour: Snæfellsnes Peninsula from the portfrom 24.500 ISK · 5 hours 30 minutes
Frequently
asked
questions
How hard is the Glymur hike?
Do you need to cross a river?
Is Glymur the tallest waterfall in Iceland?
Can kids do the Glymur hike?
When is the best time to hike Glymur?
Data & sources
Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.
UnsplashHero & gallery photography · Alexander Milo / Unsplash
Visit West Iceland (west.is)Visitor access & practical facts
WikipediaEncyclopedic description · CC BY-SA 4.0
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community
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