Fardagafoss Waterfall

The viewpoint is not the end of the walk. A trail runs up to the left of the waterfall towards the top of the mountain, and a little further along to the right the falls appear below you, with Egilsstaðir and the valley beyond. At the falls themselves, wooden steps and chains lead close to the water, though the steps are worn. A route leads down to a cave. Fardagafoss is a climb rather than a photo stop, and that keeps it quieter than the better-known falls of East Iceland.

• Not a roadside stop: the falls are reached on foot. The trail climbs from the car park and continues past them up the mountain.
• The last stretch: wooden steps and chains lead close to the water. The steps are in poor condition, and this part is not for inexperienced walkers.
• Snow lingers: one visitor in late May found the route down to the cave blocked by snow. Carry traction spikes in spring.
• Fewer visitors: Fardagafoss draws less of a crowd than the better-known waterfalls of East Iceland.

Fardagafoss sits just outside Egilsstaðir, and the falls are visible from the road on the way in. Drive to the car park at the foot of the trail; the rest is on foot. The path climbs steadily to the viewpoint facing the waterfall. From there, wooden steps and chains carry on towards the water, and a separate trail runs up to the left towards the top of the mountain.

Best: early morning in summer. One visitor arriving at about 08.15 found the falls far less crowded than most in the region.

Avoid: spring, unless you carry traction spikes. Snow was still blocking the route down to the cave in late May.

What changes here is the state of the trail, not the light. The snow clears late, and the wooden steps on the final stretch are worn.