Table of Contents
Introduction
Seljalandsfoss Sets in the green outback roughly 75 miles from the capital Reykjavik or 120 kilometers in the South coast of Iceland stand one of the most popular and photographed waterfalls in the country known as Seljalandsfoss. This thin waterfall has a fall of over 60m and falls directly into a pool of water below a cloud of water vapor rising from the water. This is unlike most waterfalls where you just view them from the side of the waterfall but Seljalandsfoss has a trail that will lead you to the other side of the waterfall where you get to see the waterfall behind the water curtain.
Getting to Seljalandsfoss
Getting to Seljalandsfoss is roughly a one hour drive along the famous Iceland Ring Road passing through mainly through solidified lava terrain, green meadows with shepherded livestock, Eyjafjallajökull glacier, and the majestic Skógafoss waterfall. Approaching Seljalandsfoss you can spy the waterfall a little over the corner standing out on the green cliff face and the river snaking beneath through the valley.
After parking at the base, a little walking leads you over the greenery to the waterfalls themselves. A narrow passage through the waves can be found to the right, here the rock ceiling is low and provides a small amount of shelter from the water as one steps into the enclosed chamber beyond. Fortunately the sun occasionally shines through the water and sparkles like the movie ‘Pete’s Dragon’.
The falls are turbulent as it spreads over the hardened walls of a cliff, and you are confined only by the water, peering through the curtain at the outside world down the valley. It must be quite memorable and certainly one of the outstanding activities for guests who come to explore Iceland’s geology. Seljalandsfoss is one of the reasons why it holds a lot of opportunities to photograph and experience it from these angles and watch the beautiful scenery.
Seljalandsfoss is one of the few waterfalls in the world that offers direct access to the waterfall, and other viewpoints to capture the practicest view of the Seljalandsfoss. You can walk up to the top of the cliffs where you get another angle looking down into the frothy waters of the waterfall. From there you can also get a good view of the valley down below and if you look carefully against the side of the cliff across you can even see the tiny Gljúfrabúi waterfall some 500 meters further up the valley.
The low and wide slope of the side of the cliff enables one to walk and move to different positions on different viewpoints which provide a unique view of the fascinating cliffs.
Check Out: Gullfoss Waterfall: Iceland’s Golden Cascade of Power and Beauty.
When to Visit
This falls is especially beautiful in winter when the water splashes form a large sheet of ice on the rocky walls behind this waterfall. This partially frozen water is fantastic, tumbling and draped with sheets of ice that look like a glint when shining rays of sunshine. Visiting Seljalandsfoss on a sunny winter day can give not only impressive views, butrazier shadows around the falls. Although this waterfall is not as huge as summer, Seljalandsfoss in winter looks quite magical and should also not be missed on an Island tour.
Where Seljalandsfoss takes all the limelight, there is a lesser-known twin of this waterfall known as Glúfrabúi, which lies only half a kilometer above Seljalandsfoss in a fissure. Gljúfrabúi can only be accessed by passing large rocks and stones in the middle of the stream, then crawl behind a massive cliff and look for a small cave with a waterfall hidden inside of it.
Measuring well under 10 meters in width, Glúfrabúi perfectly embodies the gushes of elemental force as the water surges into an agitated plunge pool, drenching anyone foolish enough to get too close. The effect is incredible, all traces of the world outside are now gone; the ambient is simple, otherworldly as the sound of Glúfrabúi’s water running through the rocks with terrific force.
Nearby Attractions
The Seljalandsfoss area is close to the village of Skógar and there is more than enough to do nearby. A little further west along the road is Skóga, something over three kilometers; and Skógafoss, one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Iceland. It measures 15 meters across and 60 meters down; water gushes down in spectacular narrow curtain-like masses to form a thick cloud of water droplets at the base.
Walk up a steep staircase for great views down over the waterfall and around for another 3 km and you will arrive at the Skogar Folk Museum, an outdoor museum with several examples of the old Icelandic timber houses and how people lived in the ages prior to the twentieth century.
The village of Skógar itself offers a colorful selection of small restaurants, cafes, and handicraft shops and is also an excellent starting point for exciting hikes up to the wonderful Fimmvörðuháls pass. Overlooking the scenery is a towering mass of Eyjafjallajökull which is actually a glacier capped volcano that made flying difficult in Europe when it erupted in the year 2010.
Even though tourists may still remember for a long time how to pronounce Icelandic stadursholahy, or glacier, that brought the world-wide crisis of the ash cloud, the glacier itself is more than worth a visit on a guided super jeep tour. All these fabulous sites being nearby, it is possible to spend a whole day wandering around the riches of Seljalandsfoss and the southern district.
Depending on the period of time chosen for a visit, Seljalandsfoss astonishes with its breathtaking beauty, in any case. The multiple vantage points to take interesting shots which with associated with the fact that one can effectively walk through the falls give photographers and lovers of other aspects of nature an artistic bonus. Painted on pieces of art and shown in movies when portraying the majestic and magical landscape of Iceland the famous waterfall Seljalandsfoss is one of the wonder of the world. One should not lose the opportunity to be in between its falling water curtain when on a tour of the South Coast in Iceland.
Conclusion
Located 44 km from Hella, Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Greenland; the waterfall having a 60 meters’ high powerful punchy punch during a cascade. The fact that Seljalandsfoss cascades made it possible for people to walk behind the falling water structures that are pulled by strong forces of gravity has placed Seljalandsfoss among the most photographed waterfalls in the world.
Within a two hours’ drive from Reykjavik, you can now easily navigate the South Coast for some of the best attractions in the country, including the mighty Skógafos waterfall, daring hikes of the Fimmvörðuháls pass and glacier tours on Eyjafjallajökull. Whatever the year’s seasonal options you may select, Seljalandsfoss is rather eye-pleasing in its splendid magnanimity. But it is not something that you forget to put on the list of attractions to see in Iceland!
For more info : Click Here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to walk behind Seljalandsfoss?
Indeed, the Seljalandsfoss waterfall has a maximum accessible trail and passage that enables one to get to the rear of the waterfall. It offers you a certain measure of protection from rain though be prepared to get soaked by spray. The rocks might be sometimes a bit slick, therefore make sure you are wearing appropriate foot-wear and walk carefully.
How many hours should one spend at seljalandsfoss?
To thoroughly enjoy Seljalandsfoss you will definitely require not less than 1 to 2 hours. This way you get ample time to not only get good angle shots to capture the vampiric waterfall but also get those shots which feature you walking behind the waterfall. If you’d also like to check out other attractions in the vicinity such as Gljúfrabúi, you’d need to set aside 3-4 hours or so.
Are there any charges required to visit Seljalandsfoss or are there any timing restraints when you can or can’t visit this place?
Seljalandsfoss is an unguarded waterfall which means you can go there at any time – or rather any day as in any given year. It has no entry charges, and they do not have a fixed time at which they open for tourists. You may go early in the morning or late evening if you want to avoid the presence of the largest number of tourists during the summer season. While traffic is usually comparatively low throughout the winter the actual access roads may be shut at some period during or after the snow or rainfall.
