Álafoss is a waterfall on the river Varmá in Mosfellsbær, in Iceland's Capital Region. The name means eel falls. In 1896 a local farmer brought in machinery and built a wool factory at the fall, driving it with the water, and the town of Mosfellsbær grew up around the mill. Barracks for British soldiers were built on the site during the Second World War. The waterfall itself is small, and most of what there is to see is the old industrial site beside it, where Álafoss wool is still sold.
Álafoss Waterfall
Local name: Álafoss
A farmer put a wool factory at the falls in 1896 to run the machinery on the water, and Álafoss wool is still sold on the same site.
- Entrance
- Free.
- Transport
- In Mosfellsbær, just off Route 1
- Hours
- Open 24 hours.
- Address
- Álafossvegur 33, 270 Mosfellsbær
What makes it special
The waterfall is the smaller half of the story. Álafoss is a small fall on the Varmá, and the buildings beside it explain why anyone stops. In 1896 a local farmer imported machinery and set up a wool factory at the falls, running it on water power, at a time when most factories in Europe and North America burned fossil fuel. The mill made the town: Mosfellsbær grew around it. During the Second World War barracks went up here for British soldiers. The Álafoss shop still trades, with hand-knitted goods and yarn. Sigur Rós keep their Sundlaugin studio at Álafoss, and the untitled fifth track on their album ( ) is known by the name of the place.
Good to know
- Small falls. Álafoss is small. The mill site beside it, not the drop, is what carries the visit.
- Wool is still sold here. The shop at the old factory has hand-knitted items and yarn.
- Winter ice. The falls ice over in the cold months, and the ice is the best reason to come then.
- Good with children. The water sits right beside the old factory buildings, which makes it a workable family stop.
Getting there
Álafoss is in Mosfellsbær, in the Capital Region, and it sits on a route back from the Golden Circle. The waterfall is on the Varmá, right beside the buildings of the old wool factory, and it is a short walk from the factory site down to the water.
Best time to visit
Better: winter, when the falls ice over.
Avoid: making the trip for the waterfall alone.
Ice is what changes at Álafoss from season to season; the water itself stays small. Outside the frost the draw is the mill site — the shop and the old factory buildings beside the falls.
Sun & daylight
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a charge to visit Álafoss?
No. The falls are free to visit, and the site is open at any hour.How big is the waterfall?
It is small. People stop for the falls together with the old wool factory beside them, not for the scale.Can you still buy Álafoss wool at the falls?
Yes. The wool shop at the old factory is still in business and is known for hand-knitted items and yarn.What is the connection with Sigur Rós?
The band's studio, Sundlaugin, is at Álafoss. The untitled fifth track on their album ( ) is nicknamed after the area.Why does the waterfall matter to Mosfellsbær?
The wool factory built at the falls in 1896 ran on their water power, and the town grew around it. During the Second World War barracks for British soldiers stood on the site.