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Svartifoss

20 m drop242 km from Reykjavíkparking 750 ISK
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WaterfallSouth Coast

Svartifoss

South Coast20 m drop242 km from Reykjavíkparking 750 ISK

About

Svartifoss is a 12-meter waterfall on the Stórilækur stream in Iceland's South Coast.

Black Falls. A waterfall framed by dark hexagonal basalt columns that inspired Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík. Located in Skaftafell, requiring a 45-minute hike to reach.

The basalt columns hang like organ pipes around the falls. The contrast of white water against black rock is striking. Not the biggest waterfall, but probably the most architecturally striking in Iceland.

Those columns formed when lava cooled slowly millions of years ago. The hexagonal shape is natural geometry — it's how lava cracks when it cools at just the right rate. The same formations appear at Giants Causeway in Ireland.

The hike is moderate — about 5.5 km round trip with some elevation. Bring water. On the way, you'll pass other smaller waterfalls. Don't walk on the columns — they're fragile and it's disrespectful to the geology.

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64.0277°N, 16.9753°W · South Coast

Tours near Svartifoss

Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave and Glacier Walk Tourfrom 19.999 ISK · 3 hFull Day on Vatnajökull Adventurous Glacier Exploration Hikefrom 49.900 ISK · 7 hLaki Craters Airplane Tour from Skaftafellfrom 51.900 ISK · 50 minLandmannalaugar & Highland Wonders Airplane Tour from Skaftafellfrom 67.900 ISK · 1 h 15 minSkaftafell 3 Hour Glacier Walkfrom 17.900 ISK · 3 hRótarfjallshnúkur skiingfrom 64.900 ISK · 10 hLagoons, Glaciers & Colorful Mountains Airplane Tour from Skaftafellfrom 51.900 ISK · 50 minHvannadalshnúkur The Great Withe Onefrom 79.900 ISK · 14 hSkaftafell Glacier Adventurefrom 23.400 ISK · 4 h 30 min
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ToursIn season nowSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 hEarly Bird Ice Cavefrom 25.000 ISK · 3 h 30 minLaugarás Lagoon Birki - Premium Lagoonfrom 9.900 ISK · 2 hAll 1,648 toursBy activity and region

Svartifoss weather and conditions

Last updated

2°Covercast · feels -3°C3 m/sgusts 89 h 58 mdaylight · 07:54 – 17:53750 ISKparking
In season now · Winter in IcelandSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 h
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Cars & campers

−12%exclusive discountFree cancellationKEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
From
5,355 kr6,300 kr/day
Reserve −12%
VW Caravelle
9-seater

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic
FuelDiesel
Seats9
Drive2WD
From
12,750 kr15,000 kr/day
Reserve −12%
Key Camper Wild Duo
Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol
Sleeps2
Drive4WD
From
5,304 kr6,240 kr/day
Reserve −12%

Photos & videos

Svartifoss — photo by Koen SwiersPhoto: Koen Swiers / Pexels
Svartifoss — photo by Laura ParedisPhoto: Laura Paredis / Pexels
Svartifoss Waterfall, Iceland: Not 1, But 3 Waterfalls!Corno van den Berg
Svartifoss — photo by NextvoyagePhoto: Nextvoyage / Pexels
Svartifoss — photo by Thorarinn TorfasonPhoto: Thorarinn Torfason / Pexels
Visit Svartifoss (Black) waterfall in South IcelandAll Things Iceland
Svartifoss — photo by Joanie TidwellPhoto: Joanie Tidwell / Pexels
Svartifoss — photo by Visit South IcelandPhoto: Visit South Iceland / south.is
Iceland Svartifoss Waterfall Hike - The Black Waterfall Iceland - #4k #hiking #travel #adventureWolf Life Running
Svartifoss — photo by Visit South IcelandPhoto: Visit South Iceland / south.is
Landscape Photography in Iceland - Episode 10 - SvartifossMads Peter Iversen
Svartifoss | Vatnajökull National Park, IcelandHike and Sights
ICELAND ADVENTURE -Svartifoss waterfall in the snowstuie rich

Nearby

km column = your drive

  1. 1Hundafoss1 km
  2. 2Magnúsarfoss1 km
  3. 3Þjófafoss1 km
  4. 4Nafnlausifoss1 km
  5. 5Morsárfoss10 km
All waterfalls in South Coast →

Hot springs

  1. 1Guðlaug29 km
  2. 2Geothermal hot spring near Skaftárhreppur59 km
  3. 3Hoffell Hot Tubs88 km
All hot springs →

Fuel

  1. 1Freysnes6 km · 308.6 kr/L
  2. 2Fagurhólsmýri23 km · 310.9 kr/L
  3. 3Kirkjubæjarklaustur58 km · 308.7 kr/L
All fuel →

Supermarkets

  1. 1Gvendarkjör59 km
  2. 2Nettó89 km
  3. 3Krónan121 km
All supermarkets →

Tours

  1. Adrenaline Combo: Off-Road Buggy & Mega Zipline Experiencefrom 29.300 ISK · 3 hours
  2. Buggy Adventure in Þórsmörkfrom 89.990 ISK · 5 hours
  3. Bus transfer from Landmannalaugar to Hella / Reykjavikfrom 12.220 ISK · 4 hours
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Frequently
asked
questions

How long is the hike to Svartifoss?
About 5.5 km round trip, taking 1.5-2 hours. Moderate difficulty with some uphill.
Is Svartifoss in a national park?
Yes, in Vatnajökull National Park. Skaftafell visitor center has maps and info.
What inspired by Svartifoss?
Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík was designed to echo these basalt columns.
Can you see Svartifoss without hiking?
No, you need to hike. But the trail passes other waterfalls and viewpoints.
Is parking free at Skaftafell?
No, parking is 750 ISK. Pays for trail maintenance and facilities.
Is Svartifoss the black waterfall in Iceland?
Yes. "Svartifoss" translates directly to "Black Falls," and it's the waterfall most people mean by Iceland's black waterfall. The name comes from the dark hexagonal basalt columns that frame the drop, giving it a striking black-and-white contrast. It sits in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park in south Iceland.

Data & sources

Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.

Spotted an error, or have something to add? Help us keep this page accurate.

All waterfalls83 waterfalls in South Coast, mapped with photos, distances and live conditions
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10
8°C · overcastWind 2 m/sRing Road (R1) openAurora Kp 2.67Daylight 07:02 – 19:39Webcams