Blafjallafoss is a waterfall in the interior of South Iceland, well away from the paved coastal route. Access is off the F232, a mountain F-road, and the approach includes fording a river with no bridge, so a large 4x4 is required. The country around it is bare volcanic gravel and sand with no vegetation. The falls are best known for aerial views, and drone pilots come here for them. The drive is a large part of the trip.
Blafjallafoss Waterfall
Local name: Bláfjallafoss
You reach Blafjallafoss by driving through a river: the F232 approach has no bridge.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair-accessible entrance.
- Difficulty
- Approach by the F232 mountain road, including an unbridged river crossing. A large 4x4 is required.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours.
- Address
- F232 Öldufellsleið (881, highland)
What makes it special
The drive is the reason people remember this one. Blafjallafoss sits off the F232 in the South Iceland interior, and the last part of the approach crosses a river with no bridge. Much of the route in is rated impassable for ordinary cars, so the falls stay quiet.
The ground around them is bare volcanic gravel and sand, treeless and open in every direction. That openness is why the place turns up so often in drone footage: there is nothing between the camera and the water, and the falls read better from the air than from the bank.
Good to know
- Vehicle: A large 4x4 is essential. Much of the route in is rated impassable for ordinary cars.
- River crossing: The approach fords a river with no bridge. In a capable 4x4 SUV the crossing is fairly easy.
- Stay on the track: Off-road driving is illegal in Iceland. Keep to the marked route.
- Drones: This is a well-known spot for aerial footage, and the open ground gives clear lines for flying.
Getting there
Blafjallafoss lies off the F232, and reaching it means taking the detour from that road. The obstacle that matters is a river crossing with no bridge. In a capable 4x4 SUV it is a fairly easy ford; in anything smaller it is not an option, and much of the roadway in is rated impassable for ordinary cars. The ground on either side is bare grey and black gravel with no vegetation and few landmarks, so work out where the route runs before you commit to it.
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Blafjallafoss Waterfall on the map
The approach includes an unbridged river crossing, and much of the route is rated impassable for ordinary vehicles. Drive it only in a large 4x4, and turn back if the ford looks wrong.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you get to Blafjallafoss in an ordinary hire car?
No. The way in is the F232, a mountain F-road, and much of the roadway is rated impassable for ordinary cars. A large 4x4 is required.Is there a river to cross on the way?
Yes. The approach fords a river with no bridge. In a capable 4x4 SUV the crossing is fairly easy, but it rules out smaller vehicles.What is the drive like?
Bare and open. The F232 runs through volcanic gravel and sand often compared to a moonscape, with no vegetation. Drive it with extreme caution.Is it worth bringing a drone?
The falls are a well-known subject for aerial footage, and the open ground around them gives clear flying lines.