02 Feb Öxarárfoss Waterfall in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

One of the most popular regions in Iceland is the Golden Circle. It is conveniently located less than an hour away from the capital city of Reykjavík. Öxarárfoss in Thingvellir National Park is just one of the attractions to visit within the Golden Circle as well as within the national park’s borders. Keep reading below to find out how the waterfall received its name and some of the legends behind its existence. 

Need some help planning your Iceland road trip? Check out this Iceland road trip itinerary and Iceland road trip packing list.

Contents:

1) Location of Öxarárfoss

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

3) The Best Time to Visit

4) Quick Facts

5) Background of Thingvellir National Park

6) Background of Öxarárfoss

7) Other Attractions in Thingvellir National Park

1) Location of Öxarárfoss

Öxarárfoss is located in Thingvellir National Park within the Golden Circle in Iceland. It is only a 50 minute drive from Reykjavík or a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Keflavík Airport. You can thus plan on visiting even if you are only in Iceland for the weekend. 

When driving around the Golden Circle, I recommend you make time to stop at Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs. You can walk along a path beside a raging waterfall and around an area full of geysers and hot springs, respectively. For a bit of a hidden gem, head to the tarn in  Flúðir.

Parking

Park at Öxarárfoss Parking for easy access to the waterfall. From this lot it is just a short two minute walk to the falls. If you park at the Þingvellir Parking P2 lot, the walk will be slightly longer. Signs will point you in the right direction along the trail, though do be aware there are a couple sections of steps. A one-way walk to the waterfall from this lot is around 10 to 15 minutes.

There is a parking fee for Thingvellir National Park, which applies at the Öxarárfoss parking lot. It costs 500 ISK or about $4 for one car for the entire day. However, the fee covers all parking within the national park, so you can move your car to another lot freely.

Nearby Lodging

For nearby lodging, check out Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast or other options around the national park. On the other hand, you can book a room at one of the best hotels in the Golden Circle or one of the most romantic hotels in Iceland.

Stream leading past Öxarárfoss

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

First, Thingvellir National Park, which includes the Öxarárfoss waterfall, is open all day, every day. You are thus welcome to visit the waterfall at any time, whether that be 2:00pm or 2:00am. 

Entrance Fee

Second, there is no entrance fee for the national park nor is there a specific fee for the waterfall. However, if you park at the Öxarárfoss Parking lot or another one of the lots within the national park, you will have to pay the 500 ISK (~$5) parking fee as mentioned above. 

Therefore, while there is no entrance fee, there is a small parking fee. In my opinion, the small parking fee is well worth it to see the waterfall and other attractions the park has to offer. 

3) The Best Time to Visit Öxarárfoss

There is truly no bad time to visit Öxarárfoss waterfall or Thingvellir National Park in general. The waterfall is quite beautiful in all seasons. In the summer, you will enjoy warmer temperatures as well as the greenery surrounding the waterfall. On the other hand in the winter, you will get to view the waterfall and its surrounding scenery when it looks like a winter wonderland. 

Additionally, I would recommend you plan for 15 to 30 minutes to visit the waterfall. It only takes a few minutes to walk from the parking lot to the falls, and then you can relax by the falls for a while before heading back to your car. 

View of Öxarárfoss from the path directly in front of it

4) Quick Facts on Öxarárfoss

1. Öxarárfoss waterfall is located in Thingvellir National Park within the Golden Circle in Iceland.

2. There is no entrance fee, though there is a small 500 ISK (~$5) parking fee that lasts for the entire day. 

3. Öxarárfoss waterfall stands 44 feet (~13 meters) tall and flows from the Öxará River. 

4. One legend of the waterfall states that it can predict the future on New Year’s Eve at midnight. The water runs red with wine to indicate prosperity or red with blood to indicate war for the next year. 

5. Other attractions within Thingvellir National Park include snorkeling in the Silfra fissure and Almannagjá. 

5) Background of Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park is located on top of the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. While visiting, you can actually walk on a pathway or even snorkel between the two tectonic plates. Furthermore, the rift between the tectonic plates widens every single year by approximately 0.8 inches (~two centimeters). Earthquakes in the area tend to generate this movement, though they cannot generally be felt by visitors. 

Additionally, Thingvellir National Park used to be the meeting place of the Old Icelandic parliament. The park even received its name from this. “Þing” in Old Icelandic translates to assembly, and “völlur” translates to “field”. “Thingvellir” (or Þingvellir) thus translates to “assembly place”. 

If you would rather book a tour around the Golden Circle rather than plan the logistics yourself, then book one of the best Golden Circle tours in Iceland.

Another trail in Thingvellir National Park

6) Background of Öxarárfoss

The water cascading into Öxarárfoss waterfall flows from the Öxará River. It is believed that Iceland’s parliament redirected the Öxará River when they met in Thingvellir National Park many years ago. Moving the river and thus the waterfall provided better access to drinking water.

The falls stand at 44 feet (~13 meters) tall and 20 feet (~six meters) wide. Moreover, Öxarárfoss is just one of the many waterfalls within Iceland’s borders. Be sure to check out all of Iceland’s best waterfalls during your trip. 

Origin of the Name – Öxarárfoss

Öxarárfoss and the river Öxará received their names, according to one legend, when settlers stumbled upon the region. The river was frozen at that time. The settlers therefore stuck an ax in the river, which was their way of claiming the land. Öxi translates to ax in Iceland, and thus the waterfall and river were appropriately named. 

Many of the waterfalls in Iceland have interesting stories behind them, for example Godafoss Waterfall. Why not plan a visit to learn about it all for yourself?

New Year’s Eve Legend

Furthermore, one tale tells of Öxarárfoss predicting the future on New Year’s Eve as the clock strikes midnight. If the next year holds prosperity, the water runs red with wine. If the next year holds war, then the water runs red with blood. You can see for yourself whether the tale is true if you happen to visit at that time.

View of Öxarárfoss waterfall

7) Other Attractions in Thingvellir National Park

Be sure to check out other attractions within Thingvellir National Park. These include, for example, Silfra snorkeling and Almannagjá. 

Additionally, head to the nearby Snaefellsnes Peninsula to see one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones: Kirkjufellsfoss and Mt. Kirkjufell.

Silfra Snorkeling

• Estimated visit time: 2 to 3 hours 
• Attraction: snorkeling between tectonic plates
• Article for more information: Silfra Snorkeling in Iceland: Everything to Know

If you are looking for a one of a kind experience, look no further. In the Silfra fissure you can snorkel in between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The plates drifted apart over the years, thus creating the fissure. Additionally, they continue to drift apart to this day.

If you would prefer to scuba dive, you can do that as well. Although, be sure to obtain the required experience and certifications for diving if you choose that route. All details will be located on the tour company’s website. 

Snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park

Almannagjá

• Estimated visit time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Attraction: rift between tectonic plates with walkway
• Article for more information: Almannagjá Trail in Thingvellir National Park

In addition to snorkeling between the tectonic plates, you can also walk between them. The gorge is known as Almannagjá, and there is a trail leading right through it. As you walk along the trail, you have the North American tectonic plate on one side and the Eurasian tectonic plate on the other. 

Game of Thrones fans will recognize Almannagjá as the pathway leading to the Bloody Gate.

Site of former Icelandic parliament at Thingvellir National Park

PIN IT to save it for later!

Check out some hidden gems in Iceland: 4 Hidden Gems in Iceland.

Take a glance at our Iceland itinerary for some inspiration: 9 Day Road Trip Itinerary for Iceland.