Seljalandsfoss is one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland and this stop is one of our favorites in all of Iceland. It’s the waterfall you can walk behind! You’ve probably seen the pictures. Walking behind Seljalandsfoss is a really neat experience. You are tucked into a little cave-like area and the water comes down in front of you. But Seljalandsfoss is not the only thing to see. The hidden neighbor, Gljufrabui is a stunner as well. Keep reading to get the most out of your experience visiting Seljalandsfoss.
Some visit Seljalandsfoss and think they can just see the waterfall and leave. And you easily can. However, we think the best way to do this stop is as a short hike. This hike will take you to Seljalandsfoss, along the beautiful cliffs with green mosses covering them, and to the hidden Gljufrabui. Gljufrabui is one of our favorite waterfalls in all of Iceland! So if you are visiting Seljalandsfoss, make sure to do the full hike.
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfurárfoss Hiking Stats
- Distance: 1.2 miles, out and back
- Elevation Gain: minimal
- Time: 1/2-2 hours, depending on photos
- Difficulty: easy
Your first stop on the hike is Seljalandsfoss. First, take pictures from far away to start with. Because once you start to get close, you’ll get soaked. After taking your good pictures, suit up in rain gear and walk behind Seljalandsfoss. This magical area is covered in green moss and ferns. There are beautiful viewing platforms behind the falls. And there is one “splash zone” where you can stand and get drenched by the waterfall. Kids will love it!
Next, you can walk along the pathway that skirts the edge of the cliff where you’ll see constant trickles of water falling from the cliffs above. There are a few little hiddy-hole mini caves that you can peak into before you get to Gljúfuárfoss.
Lastly, stop at Gljúfurárfoss. Gljúfurárfoss is the real gem. While Seljalandsfoss is the big waterfall you can walk behind, Gljúfurárfoss is the magical waterfall in a cave. Just a short walk from Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfurárfoss is tucked into a crack in the cliff. You can walk into this cave-like area and see the waterfall tumbling from above. This is one of the most idyllic waterfalls in Iceland. Don’t miss it!
When to Visit Seljalandsfoss
You can visit Seljalandsfoss year round. However, as the main draw of this stop is the waterfall you can walk behind, you’ll want to visit in the warmer months so you can walk behind it. In the winter, the trail freezes over and they close the path behind the waterfall. So visiting between May and September will give you the best chances of being able to walk behind the waterfall.
Getting There and Around
Seljalandsfoss is located just off of Route 1, the Ring Road. You can see it for miles before you actually get there. While on Route 1, you’ll see a clear sign for Seljalandsfoss and the parking area is just off of Route 1.
To get to Seljalandsfoss, you can self-drive or take a tour. Tour companies that we saw gave plenty of time here so we think either option is a good option. It really just depends on if you want to do a short south coast trip with a tour company, generally operating out of Reykjavík, or a multi-day trip on your own.
What to Budget
Parking at Seljalandsfoss cost 700 ISK and must be paid with a credit card at the parking kiosk in the lot. There is also a small concession stand and gift shop in the park as well. Entrance into the area is free, including the use of the toilet trailers.
What to Pack
This waterfall hike is an amazing experience. However, don’t forget your rain gear! You’ll get really wet. You can even venture out on the rocks and stand under the more gentle section of this waterfall in a real life splash zone. If you want to visit the splash zone, you’ll need full rain gear, including waterproof pants. If you are staying away from the falling water, you’ll still need waterproof shoes and a rain jacket. Plus, you may still want waterproof pants.
Make sure your waterproof shoes you pack have very good traction as the path behind the waterfall is slippery when wet.
Also, underneath your waterproof outer layer, you’ll want to wear warm clothes. You’ll get wet, even with your waterproof layers. And once you get wet you’ll get cold. We recommend wearing quick drying warm materials like wool or poly blends.
Normally, we love to bring our full camera kit. However, here a phone and a waterproof case is actually your best bet. We did take pictures with our camera from afar but once things started to get wet, the phone pictures turned out better.
Where to Stay
If you would like to stay in the area, there is a campsite right next to Seljalandsfoss. This would be the perfect place to stay if you are camping and would give you views of the waterfall when no one is around.
However, if camping isn’t something you’re interested in, the nearest towns are Vík (where we stayed) or Selfoss. Both have plenty of accommodations and restaurants. If you’d like to stay closer to Seljalandsfoss, there are a few hotels and hostels nearby. However, those are a bit pricier than hotels in larger towns.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall is one of the best waterfalls to visit in Iceland and Gljúfurárfoss was one of our favorites. So we think it is worth a visit for all Icelandic vacations. We hope this article has helped to prepare you for your visit to Iceland and has sparked a desire to visit Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfurárfoss. We know you won’t be disappointed.
