26 Nov Skógafoss Waterfall + Hiking Fimmvorduhals Pass in Iceland

Skógafoss is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. Water from the Skógá River cascades over the cliff, thus creating Skógafoss. What makes Skógafoss even better is that everyone who visits can experience the falls in a multitude of ways. Looking for a shower? Walk right up to the base of the falls and let the mist wash your worries away. Looking for a different perspective? Climb the ~500 steps next to the falls to reach the top and enjoy views extending from Skógafoss to the coastline in the distance. Looking to continue the adventure? Hike along FImmvorduhals Pass, which is a trail that begins from the top of Skógafoss and passes by 20+ more waterfalls as well as glaciers and lava fields. Oh, and did I mention that rainbows are often visible at the base of Skógafoss in Iceland?  

Are you on a search for the best waterfalls in Iceland, including Skógafoss?: The 10 Best Waterfalls in Iceland You Need to Visit.

Contents:

1) Location

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

3) Best Time to Visit

4) Quick Facts + FAQs

5) Background

6) Skógafoss Stairs 

7) Fimmvorduhals Pass Hike

8) Recommended Items to Bring

1) Location of Skógafoss in Iceland

• Region: Southern Iceland
• Location: Skógafoss Waterfall
• Parking: Skógafoss Parking

Skógafoss is located in southern Iceland just off the Ring Road. (For those who are unaware – the Ring Road is the main road that winds around almost the whole perimeter of Iceland. Whether driving around the entire Ring Road or just a portion of it, you should include time to stop here. Why? For starters, Skógafoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland. Do not believe me? Just take a look at the pictures throughout this post. They speak for themselves! 

One of the closest attractions to Skógafoss is Seljavallalaug Pool. Why not stop there after visiting Skógafoss so you can relax and let the geothermal waters work their magic. 

Where is Skógafoss in Iceland? 

For reference, Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland is approximately two hours southeast of the capital city of Reykjavík. Thankfully, it is quite easy to get from Skógafoss in Iceland to Reykjavík and vice versa. Here are general directions to get from Reykjavík to Skógafoss: (1) Drive along route 49 to leave the downtown area of the capital city (2) Drive east along Route 1 (3) Turn left onto Skógar/Skógavegur off of Route 1 (4) Turn left at the next available opportunity to then find the campsite and parking lot for Skógafoss. 

On the other hand, Skógafoss is 30 minutes northwest of Vík. Vík is a southern, coastal town that is home to the most popular black sand beach in all of Iceland. It is even easier to get from Skógafoss to Vík and vice versa as they are both located just off the Ring Road. 

Up-close view of Skógafoss

Skógafoss Parking

There is a large parking lot just a short walk from the base of Skógafoss. Moreover, the parking is free! However, the parking lot can still fill up during peak times even though it is quite large. Skógafoss is one of the most popular attractions in southern Iceland (and all of Iceland for that matter). It is thus recommended to visit Skógafoss outside of peak times (aka avoid midday or sunrise / sunset).

For an added bonus, there are restrooms available at the Skógafoss parking lot as well as a restaurant with lunch and dinner offerings.

Lodging Near Skógafoss

Whether you have chosen to stay in guesthouses or campsites for your trip, there are plenty of places to stay the night near Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland. For example, my partner and I stayed the night at South Iceland Guesthouse after visiting Skógafoss. For reference, the South Iceland Guesthouse is only 13 minutes down the road from Skógafoss. However, there are also hotels right next to Skógafoss. For example, the most popular are Guesthouse Skógafoss and Hotel Skógafoss.

For other hotels near Skógafoss, check out the 25+ options on Booking.com. You can find budget hotels, bougie hotels, vacation homes, romantic hotels, etc. Speaking of romantic hotels, you can book a night at one of the most romantic hotels in Iceland to turn your trip into a romantic getaway.

In terms of Skógafoss camping options in Iceland, the closest campsite is Skógar Campground. When I say close, I mean that it is just a short walk from the waterfall. Amenities at Skógar Campground include dish washing stations, hot water, restrooms, and shower facilities. For those traveling with mobile homes or pop-up campers, waste disposal is available. The price is approximately 2,200 ISK per person per night. However, I do not believe it is possible to make a reservation in advance. Previous visitors say you just have to show up to get a spot, though I have never seen anyone complain about the campground being full.

Hiking along Fimmvorduhals Pass behind Skógafoss

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee for Skógafoss

• Opening hours: all day, every day
• Entrance fee: none! 

This information will be fairly easy to remember. First in relation to opening hours, you can visit Skógafoss any time of the day or night. There are no restrictions in terms of visiting hours, so you thus have the freedom to visit whenever you want. In the summer months, you can take advantage of the long daylight hours and visit Skógafoss at 3am, for example.

Second in relation to entrance fees, there are none! There is no fee to visit Skógafoss nor is there a fee for parking. What is better than a free attraction? A free, beautiful attraction. Skógafoss definitely hits both of those marks. 

Fimmvorduhals Pass – Summer Season

The entire Fimmvorduhals Pass Trail is only open to hikers during the summer season. Unfortunately, it is unaccessible in the winter season as the road to Thorsmork (F249) is closed from mid-September through mid-June. Those are just general dates, though, as the road to Thorsmork only remains open when it is clear of snow. 

On another note, the road to Thorsmork (F249) requires a 4×4 vehicle as it includes rough terrain and multiple river crossings. Moreover, most rental cars companies do NOT allow you to drive your rental car on road F249, which is the road to Thorsmork. Still want to hike Fimmvorduhals Pass even though you have a rental car? It is possible – head to section seven below for information on alternative hiking routes.

Taking a drink from Skógafoss

3) Best Time to Visit Skógafoss

• Best season: any!
• Estimated visit time: 1 hour + 

There is truly no bad season to visit Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland. It really just depends on what kind of Iceland experience you want to have. Do you want long days and easy accessibility to all of Iceland’s top attractions? Then visit in the summer. Do you want to see the northern lights and walk through Iceland as though it is a winter wonderland? Then visit in the winter. However, keep in mind the stairs next to the falls can be dangerous in winter if they are covered in snow and/or ice. You thus might not be able to hike the stairs to the top of Skógafoss in Iceland if you visit in the winter season. 

Additionally, you might experience different crowd levels based on the time of year as well as the time of day. For example, crowds will likely be higher in the peak summer season as well as during midday / the afternoon. 

Estimated Visit Time for Skógafoss

How much time you spend at Skógafoss depends on what you want to do while visiting. For example, I recommend planning for an hour to walk to the base of the waterfall. I recommend planning for around an hour and a half if you also want to hike the stairs next to Skógafoss to get a view from above. Moreover, I recommend planning for two hours or more if you also want to hike along Fimmvorduhals Pass for a bit after hiking the stairs to the top of the waterfall. If you decide to hike all of Fimmvorduhals Pass, plan for around 12 hours. It is a loooong hike. 

I know, a lot of people do not enjoy having to plan logistics for travel. If that is you, then consider booking a south coast tour of Iceland. The vast majority of south coast tours include a stop at Skógafoss. Moreover, they generally begin at the capital city of Reykjavík.

A rainbow visible at the base of Skógafoss

4) Quick Facts on Skógafoss in Iceland

1. Skógafoss is located in southern Iceland, just 30 minutes from the town of Vík.

2. You can view Skógafoss from the base as well as from the top after walking up a flight of stairs. 

3. Skógafoss is almost 200 feet (~61 meters) tall and over 80 feet (~24 meters) wide. 

4. The staircase next to Skógafoss has close to 500 stairs. Your legs might be burning by the time you get to the top. 

5. Fimmvorduhals Pass is the trail that begins at the top of Skógafoss and passes by over 20 more waterfalls as well as glaciers and lava fields. 

FAQs on Skógafoss

What is the Skógafoss waterfall hike? Technically, there is no Skógafoss waterfall hike or trail. When people refer to the Skógafoss waterfall hike, they are probably referring to the staircase or Fimmvorduhals Pass. There are around 500 steps on a staircase that leads from the base to the top of Skógafoss. Moreover, Fimmvorduhals Pass Trail begins at the top of Skógafoss and continues all the way to Thorsmork.

What are the best nearby attractions to Skógafoss? Some of the best nearby attractions to Skógafoss include Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls, Seljavallalaug Pool, DC-3 Plane Wreck, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. All of these locations are within a 30-minute drive either east or west of Skógafoss.

Can you swim at Skógafoss? No, unfortunately you cannot swim at Skógafoss. The waterfall runs over a 197 foot (~60 meter) tall cliff and the water then continues to flow down the Skógá River. The water flow can be pretty shallow past the base of the falls. On the other hand, the water flow is fast and dangerous above the falls. If you are looking for places to swim, check out Stuðlagil Canyon or the Blue Lagoon. 

What amenities are available at Skógafoss? There are restrooms, a campground, a restaurant, multiple hotels, and a museum near Skógafoss. First, the restrooms are public and located right next to the parking lot. Second, the Skógar Campground is first come, first serve (though it rarely fills up) and has showers, restrooms, and waste disposal. Third, the Skógafoss Bistro Bar is open from around 12pm to 9pm daily. Fourth, Hotel Skógafoss and Guesthouse Skógafoss are the closest hotels to the waterfall. Fifth, the Skógar Museum offers information on Icelandic history and is generally open from 10am to 5pm.

View of the Skógá River along Fimmvorduhals Pass

5) Background of Skógafoss

Head over to Skógafoss to see one of the most majestic and largest waterfalls in Iceland. Skógafoss stands at over 197 feet (~60 meters) tall and 82 feet (~25 meters) wide. It is on the Skógá River, which flows from the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. 

Two of the other most popular waterfalls in Iceland are Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi, which are located just down the road from Skógafoss. Therefore, be sure to include them in your itinerary either before or after your visit to Skógafoss. 

Rainbows at Skógafoss

Rainbows are a common sight at Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland. If you are lucky, you might even see a double rainbow. Why are rainbows such a common occurrence? The waterfall easily produces rainbows due to the amount of mist it sprays (a lot…a lot of mist). Therefore, visitors who venture close to the base of the falls will get a nice shower. To protect your belongings, set your bags down off to the side or invest in a waterproof backpack rain cover.

Another waterfall in Iceland that often has a rainbow nearby is Gullfoss in the Golden Circle.

Treasure Chest Legend at Skógafoss in Iceland

There is a bit of a legend attached to the falls. It is said a viking settler once hid a treasure chest behind the falls. From the legend, the chest contains what you would expect: treasure and gold! Many look for the chest, but none have yet succeeded.

However, many years ago one young man almost recovered the treasure chest. Legend states he tied a rope to the ring (which acted as a handle for the chest) to try and pull it out. As he pulled, the ring detached from the chest. He was then left with nothing but the ring at the end of his rope. 

Rainbow at the base of Skógafoss

6) Skógafoss Stairs in Iceland

I will not lie to you – there are A LOT of stairs to reach the top of Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland. Is it worth it to hike the stairs? In my opinion: YES. At the top is a whole new perspective of the falls and a view of Iceland’s coastline in the distance. Additionally, you can decide if you want to continue to hike on the Fimmvorduhals Pass Trail or hike back down the stairs. 

There are around 500 steps you must conquer. My legs were burning by the time my partner and I made it halfway to the top. Moreover, we hiked the previous couple of days, so my legs were a little more tired than usual. Nevertheless, the view made all of the 500 Skógafoss Iceland steps worth it once we made it to the top.

That being said, consider your physical ability before you commit to hiking all of the stairs. They are fairly steep and do not always have handrails on both sides. Moreover, the traffic on the stairs is two-way as people are climbing up and down the stairs at the same time. If you do hike the stairs, feel free to take breaks to catch your breath and drink some water.

Skógafoss was one of my favorite activities in Iceland. Check out this article for information on my other favorites: Top 10 Things to Do in Iceland.

View from the top of Skógafoss Waterfall

7) Fimmvorduhals Pass Hike Beyond Skógafoss

• Distance: 15.5 miles (~25 kilometers) one way
• Estimated time: 2 – 12 hours one way
• Elevation change: 3,280 feet (~1,000 meters) 
• Starting/ending points (or vice versa): Skógafoss / Thorsmork

Skógafoss flows from the Skógá River, but it is not the only waterfall along the river. After hiking up the stairs, there is a trail along which you can encounter 20+ more waterfalls. The trail is known as Fimmvorduhals Pass. (Though some people might refer to it as the Skógafoss waterfall hike.) However, the number of waterfalls you see depends on how far you hike. My partner and I hiked for maybe one hour and saw approximately five more waterfalls. Nevertheless, the trail continues on for miles and miles! The part of Fimmvorduhals Pass with 20+ waterfalls is affectionately known as Waterfall Way. Some of the first few waterfalls along Waterfall Way include Hestavaðsfoss, Fosstorfufoss, Steinbogafoss, and Fremri-Fellsfoss.

Past Waterfall Way on Fimmvorduhals Pass is a variety of other landscapes, for instance glaciers and lava fields.

One of the many waterfalls along Fimmvorduhals Pass

Trail Information – Fimmvorduhals Pass

If you are feeling adventurous and have the time, you can hike the entire 15.5 miles (~25 kilometers) of Fimmvorduhals Pass. The elevation gain is around 3,280 feet (~1,000 meters). An average hiker can complete the entire Fimmvorduhals Pass Trail in 12 hours. That being said, one to two days are necessary for the entire hike. There are mountain huts along the trail that offer overnight camping.

However, the trail is only open to hikers during the summer season. Unfortunately, it is closed in the winter due to hazardous weather conditions. Moreover, the road to Thorsmork (also known as F249) is only open from around mid-June through mid-September. The road closes when it is no longer clear of snow. 

Additionally, as mentioned in section two above, F249 (the road to Thorsmork) requires a 4×4 vehicle due to the rough terrain and river crossings. However, most rental car companies do not allow you to drive their rental cars on F249. If that is the case, you have two options. First, you can do an out-and-back hike along Fimmvorduhals Pass. For example, you can do a short one hour out-and-back hike like my partner and I. On the other hand, you can do the entire trail as an out-and-back hike. Second, you can still do the one-way hike along Fimmvorduhals Pass from Skógafoss to Thorsmork. Once you reach Thorsmork, you can catch a bus to your next destination or back to Skógafoss.

For additional hikes in Iceland, check out Svartifoss waterfall and Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.

Taking in the views on Fimmvorduhals Pass

Hike Layout

Here is an overview of the Fimmvorduhals Pass directions and attractions, beginning from Skógafoss:

• Start at Skógafoss and climb the approximately 500 stairs.
• Walk along the path beside the Skógá River past 20+ waterfalls (aka Waterfall Way).
• Continue on the path away from the river and cross the two glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. This should be about five miles (~eight kilometers) into the hike. 
• There are then craters and lava, some of which still produce steam. 
• Next is a cairn shortly before the Brattafönn hill. 
• Continue on the path and cross Heljar Kambur (Hell’s Ridge) where there are chains for support. 
• Then arrive at Morinsheiði, which boasts a flat landscape. Enjoy views of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and the Katla Volcano. 
• The next portion of the trail requires you to conquer steep terrain. There are once again chains for support along the cliff’s edge. 
• Keep hiking until you reach Thorsmork. There are a couple of huts in the area for camping, or you can catch a bus to your next destination. 

Whether viewing Skógafoss from the base, climbing the stairs, or hiking Fimmvorduhals Pass, you are in for a treat. All of the options boast incredible views, and you will not leave disappointed. 

Additional waterfalls along Fimmvorduhals Pass

8) Recommended Items to Bring for Skógafoss in Iceland

For additional recommendations on what to pack, check out my list of international travel essentials and Iceland summer road trip packing list.

1. Water bottle: Please please please be sure to bring water if you plan to hike along Fimmvorduhals Pass. Even though Iceland has cooler temperatures, you still need to drink water to stay hydrated. For example, I brought my Yeti water bottle everywhere in Iceland.

Waterproof Items

2. Waterproof phone case: If you choose to get up close and personal with Skógafoss, then you will be getting wet. How wet you get depends on the flow of the water and the strength of the wind on the day you visit. That being said, you might want to protect your valuables, including your phone.  

3. Waterproof backpack rain covers: While the mist of Skógafoss can produce beautiful rainbows, it can also soak you and all of your belongings. 

4. Waterproof jacket: As I just said above, you will get a bit (or a lot) wet while visiting the waterfall depending on how close you venture. 

Hiking Items

5. Hiking shoes: A pair of hiking shoes will be incredibly helpful if you plan on hiking along Fimmvorduhals Pass. My partner and I hiked for just a bit along the trail. I really appreciated the traction provided by my shoes as the trail was mainly loose dirt and rocks.

6. Hiking poles: Hiking poles are not a necessity to visit only Skógafoss simply due to the fact the walk from the parking lot to the base of the falls is flat. However, bring along hiking poles if you plan to hike along Fimmvorduhals Pass and want a bit of extra support.

7. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow or ice on the Skógafoss steps or Fimmvorduhals Pass. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

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Check out my favorite activities in Iceland: Top 3 Things to Do in Iceland for the Trip of a Lifetime. 

Check out our Iceland itinerary: 9 Day Road Trip Itinerary for Iceland.