Hundafoss Waterfall

Hundafoss is the waterfall most people walk past. It stands beside the trail that climbs from the Skaftafell visitor area up to Svartifoss, and walkers heading for the famous columns rarely stop. The falls drop into a narrow canyon framed by rugged basalt cliffs. Next to Svartifoss it is small, but close up it is powerful. Viewpoints sit beside the path, and stopping at one gives a better sense of the drop. Woodland covers the slope on both sides, and the mountains stay in view for much of the climb. A quieter path runs up the west side through the trees instead of the wide main trail. Higher up, the route opens onto snow-capped peaks.

• No facilities at the falls. Toilets and drinking water are back at the visitor area, roughly 550 to 600 m down the trail.
• No mobile signal. Carry a paper map or download the route before you set off.
• The path is uneven and turns muddy after rain. Wear boots with grip rather than trainers.
• Nothing is sold on the trail. Take water and food with you from the visitor area.
• It is easy to miss. The falls stand beside the main route, and most walkers pass without looking up.

Cars stop at the Skaftafell visitor area, at the foot of the trail to Svartifoss. From the car park the walk is under a kilometre, uphill through woodland. Hundafoss stands beside the trail on the way up, so no detour is needed — you see it going up and again coming back down. A quieter path climbs the west side through the trees. An information point stands close to the falls.

Best: dry days with clear weather, when the peaks above the trail stay in view.

Avoid: wet spells, when the path turns to mud.

Most walkers press straight on to Svartifoss, so the viewpoints at Hundafoss stay quieter than the falls above. In summer the woodland around the drop is green and the light shifts through the day, which is when the falls photograph best.