Gervidalsarfoss is a cascade of waterfalls in the Westfjords of Iceland, on a stream that cuts a narrow gorge beside the road. Five falls can be counted between the road and the top of the gorge. The two lowest are a few steps from the car park, and a short track climbs to the rest. The site takes little traffic, and the walk up and back is a matter of minutes rather than hours.
Gervidalsarfoss Waterfall
Local name: Gervidalsárfoss
Five separate falls can be counted between the road and the top of the gorge.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair-accessible entrance. The track up the gorge runs over uneven rock.
- Parking
- Car park directly beside the falls, free of charge.
- Difficulty
- Easy. The two lower falls are steps from the car park; the track to the upper falls takes 20–30 minutes up and back, over maintained but uneven rock.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, every day.
- Address
- Route 512, Ísafjarðardjúp, Westfjords
What makes it special
Gervidalsarfoss is not one waterfall but a run of them. The two lowest sit a few steps from the road and take no effort at all. Above them a track climbs the side of the gorge past the others, and five falls worth the name can be counted by the time the top is reached.
What sets the stop apart is how little it is used. There are no queues and no ticket desk, and the gorge is often empty. The water runs clean enough to drink straight from the stream.
Good to know
- Footing: the track is well maintained, but parts of it cross very uneven rock. Wear shoes with grip.
- Easy to drive past: only a tiny sign marks the stop from the road.
- Short on time: the two lower falls are reachable straight from the car park, without the climb up the gorge.
- Quiet site: there are no queues here, and the gorge is often empty.
Getting there
Access is by car. The road runs past the falls, and a car park sits directly beside them, so there is no long approach. From the car park the two lower falls are a few steps away. Everything above them is reached on a track that climbs the side of the gorge, and that track is the only way up.
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Frequently asked questions
How many waterfalls are there?
Five falls worth the name, stacked up the gorge. The lower two are visible from the road; the rest come into view on the way up.Can you see the falls without walking far?
Yes. The two lower falls sit next to the car park and are reached over a few steps of level ground.How long does the walk to the top take?
About 20 to 30 minutes up and back down. The track is easy to follow and well maintained, though the rock is uneven in places.Is it busy?
No. There are no queues at the falls and no charge for the car park, and the gorge is often empty.Is the site suitable for wheelchairs?
No. There is no wheelchair-accessible entrance, and the track up the gorge runs over uneven rock.