Gjárfoss is a waterfall in South Iceland, in a valley reached by turning off the main road. Four or five falls lie in the same valley, not far from one another, and paths run along both sides. The ground around the valley is bare and open, which makes the green and the water unexpected. The last part of the drive is an unsurfaced single-lane track. Few people come, and the valley is worth a long walk rather than a quick stop.
Gjarfoss Waterfall
Local name: Gjarfoss
Four or five separate waterfalls in one valley, with bare, empty ground on every side of it.
- Parking
- Free. Two car parks: the nearer one about 230 m from the falls, the other about 850 m.
- Difficulty
- Walking, on paths that run up and down both sides of the valley. The left side is the less strenuous.
- Transport
- No public transport to the valley; access is by car.
- Address
- Gjárfoss, 804
What makes it special
Four or five waterfalls share one valley, close enough together to see on a single walk. Most of them are small. The ground around the valley is bare and empty, and the change is abrupt: desolation on all sides, then green and running water. Paths follow both sides, so the same falls can be seen from two banks. Few people come. The reward here is the walking, not one big drop, so leave time to go up and down the valley instead of stopping at the first fall.
Good to know
- No facilities: there are no toilets, no drinking water and no information board at the valley.
- Allow time: the falls are spread along the valley, and seeing more than one of them means walking.
- Quiet: few people come here, and you can expect stretches of the valley to yourself.
- One bank only: there is no passage across the river to the waterfall, so plan the walk on the side you park on.
Getting there
No public transport reaches the valley, so this is a drive. The surface changes at the turn-off from the main road: the last stretch is a single-lane unsurfaced track, loose rock rather than graded gravel. Do not expect to pass an oncoming car easily. Park at the car park and walk in from there. The falls are spread through the valley, so the walking starts as soon as you leave the car.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Gjarfoss Waterfall on the map
There is no crossing over the river to the waterfall. Do not try to ford it — walk the bank you arrived on.
Get directions
Your whole travel map in one place
Get inspired by new places around the world and find the ones worth the journey
Frequently asked questions
How many waterfalls are there?
Four or five, all in the same valley and not far from one another. Most of them are small.Can you walk on both sides of the valley?
Yes. Paths run up and down both sides. The left side is the less strenuous of the two.Are there toilets or drinking water?
No. There are no toilets, no drinking water and no information board at the site. Bring what you need with you.Can you get there by bus?
No. There is no public transport to the valley, and the last stretch is an unsurfaced single-lane track.Is it busy?
No. Few people come, and you can walk the valley without meeting many others.