Rjúkandi is a waterfall in East Iceland, beside Route 1 and close enough to the road to be seen from a passing car. The river drops in a wide cascade and separates into three falls on the way down. A smaller waterfall stands at the start of the trail. Viewing platforms face the main drop, and an informal path carries on closer to the water. It works as a stop on a driving day rather than as a destination in itself.
Rjúkandi Waterfall
Local name: Rjúkandi
One river reaches the lip and leaves it as three separate falls.
- Entrance
- Free
- Accessibility
- The entrance is not wheelchair accessible.
- Parking
- Free car park off Route 1, a short walk from the falls. Free roadside parking as well.
- Difficulty
- A short walk from the car park to the viewing platforms. An informal, unsurfaced path continues closer to the falls.
- Transport
- Self-drive (Ring Road, Route 1)
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, every day.
- Address
- Route 1, 701 Jökuldalur
What makes it special
Route 1 through East Iceland passes several large waterfalls, and most of them stay out of reach. You see them from the car and drive on. Rjúkandi is the one you can walk to.
The river arrives as a single flow and separates into three falls on the way down. That split is what the platforms are placed for. A medium-sized waterfall stands at the start of the trail, so there are two things to look at rather than one, and the river between them is worth stopping at on its own.
Good to know
- The path down is informal. A rough track leads from the viewing platforms closer to the water. It is not a made-up trail — tread carefully.
- The platforms cover the main view. You can see the falls without taking the path down at all.
- Snow lingers. Fresh snow was on the falls here in late June.
- Fine for children at the top. The viewing area suits families; the path closer to the water is rough underfoot.
Getting there
Rjúkandi sits beside Route 1, the Ring Road, in East Iceland. People arrive by car and pull into the car park off the highway. From there it is a short walk to the falls and the viewing platforms. A rougher path carries on towards the water; it is unsurfaced and uneven, and the platforms give the view without it.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
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Rjúkandi Waterfall on the map
The path towards the water is not a maintained trail. Footing is uneven, and anyone taking it does so at their own risk.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you get close to the waterfall?
Yes. Viewing platforms face the main drop, and an informal path leads closer to the water. That path is unsurfaced and uneven.How many waterfalls are there?
The river splits into three falls on the way down. A separate medium-sized waterfall stands at the start of the trail.Can you see it from the road?
Yes. Rjúkandi is right off Route 1. Several other waterfalls are visible from the same road, but this is the one with access to it.Is it worth a stop with children?
The viewing platforms suit families. The path down towards the water is rough underfoot and is not made for pushchairs.