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WaterfallSouth Coast

Seljalandsfoss

60 m drop5 min walk800 ISK parkingSouth Coast, Iceland
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WaterfallSouth Coast

Seljalandsfoss

60 m drop5 min walk800 ISK parkingSouth Coast, Iceland

About

Seljalandsfoss is a 60-meter waterfall on the Seljalandsá river in Iceland's South Coast.

A 60-meter waterfall you can actually walk behind. Seriously — there's a path that takes you right behind the curtain of water. Not many waterfalls in Iceland let you do that.

Standing behind 60 meters of falling water is genuinely something. The light comes through the curtain, everything's misty and loud. Best at sunset when the light turns golden.

Seljalandsfoss drops from the cliffs that used to be Iceland's coastline thousands of years ago. The Seljalandsá river feeds it from Eyjafjallajökull glacier — yeah, that volcano. The cave behind the falls was carved out over centuries by the water itself.

You WILL get wet walking behind it. Like, properly soaked. Bring a waterproof jacket or accept your fate. The path can be slippery, especially in winter — some people skip the walk-behind when it's icy. Also: don't miss Gljúfrabúi, a hidden waterfall just 5 minutes walk north. Most tourists miss it.

Map of Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is on Iceland's South Coast at 63.6155°N, 19.9882°W. The interactive map has the exact pin, parking and everything around it.

Open Seljalandsfoss on the interactive map →

Plan your visit

Getting there
Route 1 (Ring Road), via the farm of Seljaland · ~30 km west of Skógar
The walk
You can walk behind the falls
Heads up
In winter paths can be slippery and falling ice is a hazard as mist freezes on the cliffs; respect path closures
Off the main road
0.8 km from Route 1
Nearest town
Hvolsvöllur — 19.2 km away
Distance from Reykjavík
112 km in a straight line
What else is close
133 mapped places within 20 km
  • Only known waterfall where you can walk behind it
  • Sits at the base of Eyjafjallajökull glacier
  • Near the access road to Thorsmork (Þórsmörk)

Seljalandsfoss weather and conditions

At Seljalandsfoss in South Coast, conditions as of 31 August 2026, 23:45 (Iceland time): 8°C (feels like 5°C), mostly clear, wind 2 m/s. Daylight today: 14 h 44 m (sunrise 05:59, sunset 20:43). Parking costs 800 ISK. Check road status before driving on live road conditions.

Data verified 31 August 2026, 23:45· source: Open-Meteo at this location’s coordinates · refreshes hourly

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Visit now · Open year-round · 30 min stop · Visibility — · Fee: 800 ISK
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Daily conditions for your trip

Roads, weather, and aurora for your exact travel dates — one short email each morning, nothing else. Unsubscribe any time.

Photos & videos

Walk Behind the WaterfallPlanet Earth
Seljalandsfoss WaterfallJared Dillingham
Behind Seljalandsfoss at SunsetThe Powers Couple
Seljalandsfoss in One ShotCandace Cabrera
Waterfalls of IcelandDutch Angles
Behind a Beautiful WaterfallJerad Gardner, MD

Reviews

Frequently
asked
questions

Can you walk behind Seljalandsfoss?
Yes! There's a path that goes right behind the falls. It's open year-round but can be icy in winter.
Is Seljalandsfoss free to visit?
The waterfall itself is free. Parking costs 800 ISK (use the Parka app or pay at machines).
What should I wear to Seljalandsfoss?
Waterproof jacket is essential if walking behind. Good shoes with grip. You will get wet.
What's the best time to visit?
Early morning or evening for fewer crowds and better light. Sunset is magical for photos.
Is Gljúfrabúi worth visiting too?
Absolutely. It's a hidden waterfall just 5 min walk away. Most people miss it. Wade through the stream to see it.
Where is Seljalandsfoss on the map?
Seljalandsfoss sits right beside the Ring Road (Route 1) on Iceland's south coast, roughly 120 km (about 2 hours) southeast of Reykjavík. Its coordinates are 63.615°N, 19.988°W, and Skógafoss is about 30 km further east along the same road. You can find it pinned on our interactive Iceland map to check directions and plan nearby stops.

Nearby

km column = your drive

  1. 1Gljúfrabúi1 km
  2. 2Drífandi2 km
  3. 3Írárfoss9 km
  4. 4Nauthúsafoss9 km
  5. 5Gluggafoss13 km

Hot Springs

#1.Geothermal hot spring near Hvolsvöllur
19 km·~23 min drive

Public_bath hot spring

#2.Seljavallalaug
20 km·~24 min drive

Historic 1923 pool in valley near Seljalandsfoss. Free, 15-min walk, unmaintained. Bring…

#3.Geothermal hot spring near Vestmannaeyjabær
25 km·~30 min drive

Hot_tub hot spring

#4.Hot Spring Shower
31 km·~37 min drive

Geothermal spot

4 hot springs near South Coast

Campsites

#1.Hamragarðar
600 m

The camp site is about 2 km from highway no. 1. You turn to north by the waterfall…

#2.Fljótshlíð
12 km·~15 min drive

Icelandic campsite offering basic facilities for travelers exploring the area. Iceland's…

#3.Hellishólar, Fljótshlíð
12 km·~15 min drive

The camp site at Hellishólar is a great camp site located in Fljótshlíð, south Iceland.…

#4.Tjaldstæðið Langbrók
13 km·~16 min drive

Icelandic campsite offering basic facilities for travelers exploring the area. Campfires…

4 campsites near South Coast

Supermarkets

#1.Krónan
19 km·~23 min drive

Krónan supermarket — supplies

#2.Bónus
24 km·~29 min drive

Bónus supermarket — supplies

#3.Kjörbúðin
32 km·~38 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#4.Krambúð
60 km·~72 min drive

Krambúð supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near South Coast

Gas stations

#1.Hvolsvöllur
19 km·~23 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#2.Vestmannaeyjar
24 km·~28 min drive

ÓB · 308.7 kr/L petrol

#3.Hella
31 km·~37 min drive

Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol

#4.Landvegamót
39 km·~46 min drive

ÓB · 308.7 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near South Coast

Tours

#1.Adrenaline Combo: Off-Road Buggy & Mega Zipline Experience
3 hours

The Buggy Iceland and Mega Zipline Combo Tour offers an exhilarating adventure for thrill-seekers exploring Iceland.

from 29.300 ISKView tour →
#2.Buggy Adventure-Þórsmörk
5 hours

"Þórsmörk has a spot in every Icelander's heart.

from 89.990 ISKView tour →
#3.Bus transfer from Landmannalaugar to Hella / Reykjavik
4 hours

Our transfer service offers a comfortable and safe way to travel from the heart of Iceland's highlands, Landmannalaugar, to the…

from 12.220 ISKView tour →
3 tours near South Coast

Data & sources

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