Kerlingarfoss is a waterfall in West Iceland, on the Snæfellsnes peninsula near Ólafsvík. It shares an access road with Svöðufoss and lies beyond that waterfall's car park, at the end of a gravel track that runs almost to the foot of the fall. The water is clear, and the base of the drop is reachable across the rocks. It is a short stop rather than a destination, and it stays quiet.
Kerlingarfoss Waterfall
Local name: Kerlingarfoss
The gravel road runs almost to the foot of Kerlingarfoss, and the streams at the base can be stepped across to stand under the drop.
- Entrance
- Free, no ticket.
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible: no step-free entrance, and the ground at the fall is rock crossed by streams.
- Parking
- Free car park at the waterfall, small. The Svöðufoss car park lies back along the same gravel road.
- Difficulty
- Easy: a short walk from the car park. Reaching the foot of the drop means stepping across streams and over rocks.
- Transport
- Self-drive — gravel road off Route 574
- Hours
- Open 24 hours.
- Address
- 355 Ólafsvík, Snæfellsnes
What makes it special
The gravel road ends within sight of the falls, and the walk from the car park is short and easy. That is the appeal of Kerlingarfoss: you get to stand at the bottom of it. The flow breaks into separate streams across the rock at the base, and they can be stepped over or jumped to reach the foot of the drop. The water is very clear where it runs into the river below — clear enough that a waterproof camera held half under the surface catches both the fall and the riverbed in one frame. The site stays quiet. As you leave, a church is visible on the horizon and an old farm ruin stands near the track.
Good to know
- The road deteriorates. Past the Svöðufoss car park the gravel turns rutted and rough. Without all-wheel drive, park there and walk the rest.
- No toilets. There are no facilities of any kind at the waterfall.
- Two falls, one road. Kerlingarfoss lies beyond the car park for Svöðufoss, so the pair are usually done as a single stop.
- Fifteen minutes covers it, unless you are photographing the pool at the base.
Getting there
Kerlingarfoss is reached by car. The gravel road that serves Svöðufoss carries on past its car park and runs almost to the foot of the fall, but that last stretch is rutted and rough. Without all-wheel drive, leave the car at the Svöðufoss car park and walk the road in. From the parking area at Kerlingarfoss itself only a short, easy walk to the water remains.
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Kerlingarfoss Waterfall on the map
The final gravel track past Svöðufoss is rutted and rough — drive it slowly, and note the stream can rise and cover the stepping stones after heavy rain.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you drive right up to Kerlingarfoss?
Yes. The gravel road continues past the Svöðufoss car park and runs almost to the fall. That stretch is rutted and rough — without all-wheel drive, park at Svöðufoss and walk in.Are there toilets at the waterfall?
No. There are no toilets and no other facilities at Kerlingarfoss.How long does the stop take?
Fifteen minutes is enough. The parking area sits close to the fall and the walk from it is easy.Can you get to the bottom of the falls?
Yes. The water splits into streams over rock at the base, and they can be crossed by stepping from rock to rock.Is Kerlingarfoss suitable for wheelchairs?
No. There is no wheelchair-accessible entrance, and the ground at the base is uneven rock crossed by streams.