Svodufoss Waterfall

The basalt is the point here. Svodufoss drops over a face of dark columns, with more columns standing in ranks on either side of the water. Behind the fall the land rises into mountains, and the two read as one view. The approach crosses grazing land on a built walkway, flat the whole way, and sheep graze right up to it. It is possible to climb the side of the fall and reach the top, where the river runs shallow over rock. The stone up there is wet and slippery. Getting close to the water is not worth it.

• No toilets. There are none anywhere on the site.
• The rock beside the falls is slippery. Climbing up close to the water is not worth the risk.
• Sheep graze the land the walkway crosses, and they wander onto the path itself.
• Fine for children. The walkway is flat and made up, with nothing to scramble over.

Arrival is by car, and there is a car park at the site. From there a built walkway runs to the falls: about ten minutes on foot, with effectively no incline. The route crosses open grazing land, so expect sheep on and around it. Anyone heading for the top of the fall carries on past the end of the walkway and up the side, over rock rather than made path.

Better: late in the evening, once the car park has emptied.

Avoid: the rock beside and above the falls, wet or dry.

A visit near midnight can mean not a single other person or car at the site. The walk in is ten minutes, so a late stop takes little time, and the mountains behind the fall stay in the view as long as there is light.