Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Not far from Reykjavik on the Southern Coast, the incredibly beautiful Seljanlandsfoss, and the equally magical, small Gljufrafoss. This is often the first stop on many trips out along this coastline and we stopped here after our visit on the Golden Circle. We loved the power and beauty of these falls, but even more, we loved how close and personal you can get to the water – not only can you see the waterfalls from a distance, but you can get right up behind Seljandsfoss and hike right into the cave to see Gljufrafoss.
See more about the 7 day Iceland Itinerary: Driving the Amazing Ring Road
Looking for more Iceland travel inspiration, see the best waterfalls in Iceland.
Overview of Visiting Seljandsfoss and Gljufrafoss
Seljandsfoss is easy to get to right off route 1 about 2 hours from Reykjavik. There is a large parking lot and a very short walk to get to the waterfall – you can walk right up on a path to the waterfall and then follow the path behind the amazing waterfall with a few excellent places to snap some photos. Walking behind the waterfall is wet with all the spray from the waterfall – so definitely wear a rainjacket!
Many people choose just to visit Seljandsfoss and don’t take the short hike to Glufrafoss, but it is completely worth it to make this short detour. It’s just about a 10-minute walk to this smaller but unusual waterfall. The waterfall is inside a small cave, and once you get to the cave entrance, you can follow a series of stepping stones up a stream that leads out of the waterfall to see Gljufrafoss from inside the cave.
Just a quick note that you will see Gljufrafoss spelled many different ways but they all refer to the same waterfall: Gljufrafoss, Gljufrabui, Gljúfrabúi, and Gljúfrafoss.
Where are Seljandsfoss and Gljufrabui?
Both Seljandsfoss and Gljufrafoss are located next to the same large parking lot and are just a 10-minute walk apart. There are some basic facilities available in the parking lot and there is a small fee to park. Many people visit these waterfalls on their way further east to see Skogafoss or on their way west to tour the Golden Circle.
Best Way to Visit Seljandsfoss and Gljufrafoss
You can visit Seljandsfoss and Gljufrafoss by either renting a car or campervan and self-driving out along the Southern coast, or by taking a tour from Reykjavik.
If you are driving yourself, this will likely be one of many stops you make. You can visit Seljandsfoss and Gljufrafoss as part of a single-day trip along the Southern Coast. Since this is one of the best waterfalls near Reykjavik, many people stop here as well as at Skogafoss which is just a short drive. If you have more time and will be spending a few days on the Southern Coast or during the Ring Road, this will likely be one of the first or last stops on your itinerary.
Another option is to choose a guided tour that includes a stop at Seljandsfoss. Most tours in this area will include stops at several waterfalls in Southern Iceland as well as some other attractions like glacier tours or the Black Sand Beach. You can see many tour options below or you can check out this Full Day Southern Coast Tour that includes the best sites and has excellent reviews.
What to Expect When you Visit Seljansfoss
Seljansfoss is one of the most popular waterfalls on the Southern Coast of Iceland, so depending on when you visit, it could be quite crowded. Try to visit late in the day or very early in the morning to avoid crowds if you are self-driving. The Seljalandsfoss hike is actually more of a short walk. From the parking lot, you will see the waterfall and you can simply follow the obvious trail toward the bottom of the fall. There is a well-established trail that goes up around behind the waterfall.
It is truly amazing to be so close to this incredibly powerful waterfall as the water drops 60 meters over the cliff face. When you walk behind the waterfall, you are never directly under the waterfall, but there is a lot of spray and you will get wet. We wore full rain gear and were pretty soaked by the end of our visit. If you are visiting in the winter, this would be quite cold and icy and you may not be able to walk behind the falls at all. There is an overlook platform just to the left of the waterfall that gives a great perspective.
Seljandsfoss was formed from water flowing down the Seljalandsa River. The water comes down the river from glacial meltwater and cascades over the cliff edge, carving the cave and pool below.
How to Hike to Gljúfrabúi
Many people visit the mighty Seljandsfoss Waterfall and simply head on their way, but one of our very favorite waterfalls in Iceland is just a short walk from Seljandsfoss. When you are standing in the parking lot, the Gljufrabui Waterfalls Trail is just to the left. Follow the obvious trail for about 10 minutes. The trail runs along the base of the cliff and it is a very easy, flat walk. For this reason, the Gljúfrabúi Waterfall hike is truly more of a walk.
Once you get to the end of the trail, the path branches. The first trail on the right goes into a small cave/nook in the rock. This is not Gljufrafoss. You will recognize the entrance to the waterfall by the small stream coming out between the rocks. Look up into the cave and you will see stepping stones laid in the stream. If the water is running high, I imagine the stones may become submerged, but we were able to walk along the stones without getting out feet wet. This is when it truly starts to get magical.
Inside the cave, you will find a small area to stand and a large rock. The water comes pouring down into the cave from a large hole in the rock and you can look straight up into the water. The entire cave is full of spray and mist and the rock walls are slippery. It is possible to climb up on the rock in the cave which makes an epic photo! You will want to wear full rain gear into the cave!
Since the cave is small, if you are visiting during the busy part of the day, you will likely need to wait as people pass in and out of the cave since it is mostly single file. If you don’t want to walk into the cave, you can walk down to the entrance and peak up inside, but it will be difficult to see the waterfall.
Questions and Things to Know About Seljandsfoss and Gljufrafoss
Is Seljalandsfoss Worth It?
Absolutely one of the best Waterfalls on the Southern Coast of Iceland, Seljandsfoss is absolutely worth visiting. It’s easy to get to off Route 1, and offers the amazing experience of walking behind the waterfall.
Is the Hidden Gljúfrabúi Waterfall Worth It?
Visiting the Gljúfrabúi Waterfall (also called Gljufrafoss) is completely worth it. With so many amazing waterfalls in Iceland, there is no other waterfall quite like Gljufrafoss. Walk into the hidden cave to fully experience this magical spot.
How Long do you Need to Visit Both Seljandsfoss and Gljufrafoss?
To visit both the waterfalls, you should plan on about 45 minutes. This gives you time to walk to Seljandsfoss and around behind the falls and then take the short walk down to Gljufrafoss to walk into the cave waterfall.
Can you visit Seljandsfoss and Gljufrafoss in the Winter?
Yes, the waterfall can be visited in the winter, although you may not be able to walk on the path behind the waterfall. Lights have been installed shining onto the waterfall, making it easier to view the falls during the darker months.
What Should You Wear to Visit Seljandsfoss and Gljufrafoss?
The best part of both these waterfalls are that you can get very close. This also means you are likely to get very wet and it can get quite cold. Dress warmly in layers and get a good pair of rain pants and a jacket. We put our jackets over our warmer layers when we visited in June and I can only imagine is getting quite cold during other parts of the year. Waterproof hiking boots will help keep your feet dry.
It’s always worth checking the Weather for Iceland.
