Stjornarfoss is a waterfall just outside Kirkjubæjarklaustur, in South Iceland. It drops about 15 metres in two tiers over a domed cliff into a pool. A car park stands a few hundred metres away, and the walk in takes under five minutes, so the falls work as a short stop off the main road. The site is quiet, and an ancient regional assembly site, Kleifar, lies next to it.
Stjornarfoss Waterfall
Local name: Stjórnarfoss
The cliff is domed, so from beside the pool only the lower of the two tiers shows; the upper drop stays out of sight.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair-accessible parking and no wheelchair-accessible entrance.
- Parking
- Free gravel car park about 300 metres from the falls; a second free gravel car park about 670 metres away.
- Difficulty
- Easy: a short walk of under five minutes from the gravel car park.
- Transport
- Nearest bus stop: Kirkjubæjarklaustur, about 1.3 km from the waterfall.
- Address
- 881 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
What makes it special
Stjornarfoss drops about 15 metres in two tiers. The cliff beneath is domed, which makes the lower tier far more prominent than the upper one. From close to the pool the upper tier is barely visible at all. The falls lie beside Kleifar, an ancient regional assembly site, and a campsite occupies the ground next to the water.
Good to know
- No toilets at the waterfall. The nearest public toilets are about 280 metres away and free.
- There is a campsite at the falls, on the ground beside the water.
- The walk suits children. It is short, easy and takes under five minutes from the car park.
- An information point stands about 325 metres from the falls. A second, Hildishaugur, is about 670 metres away.
Getting there
Stjornarfoss is reached by car. The turn-off lies about five minutes from the main road, and the gravel car park sits roughly 300 metres from the falls. From there the walk is short and easy, under five minutes. A second gravel car park lies about 670 metres from the water. No bus runs to the waterfall itself.
Best time to visit
Better: summer evenings. A June visit at about 8 pm found the site empty, and the falls draw few people at any hour.
Avoid: framing the shot from right beside the pool. The domed cliff hides the upper tier from there, so only the lower drop shows.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
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 tall is Stjornarfoss?
About 15 metres. The water falls in two tiers, and the lower one is the more prominent of the two.Are there toilets at Stjornarfoss?
Not at the falls. The nearest public toilets are about 280 metres away and free of charge.Can you camp at Stjornarfoss?
Yes. A campsite sits at the waterfall, on the ground beside the water.Is there a bus to Stjornarfoss?
No bus reaches the falls. The nearest stop is Kirkjubæjarklaustur, about 1.3 km away.