Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Right in Skaftafell National Park along the Southern Coast of Iceland, Svartifoss is just one of the waterfalls on this short and sweet little hike. The final waterfall on the hike, Svartifoss is carved from columnar basalt and is an impressive site, even amongst the other gorgeous waterfalls of Iceland. The Svartifoss Waterfall hike also passes several other beautiful waterfalls including Hundafoss (the tallest of the three) and Mugnusarfoss (the smallest).
We hiked to Svartifoss during our drive along the Southern Coast of Iceland and visited in the morning before doing a glacier hike and visit to Diamond Beach in the afternoon. We had a busy schedule, so almost skipped this hike and are very happy we decided to do this relatively easy hike!
See our complete 7 day Iceland Itinerary: Driving the Amazing Ring Road
Looking for more Iceland travel inspiration, see the best waterfalls in Iceland.
Quick Look at the Svartifoss Waterfall Hike
Distance: 2 miles Elevation Gain: 450 feet Difficulty: Easy +
The hike to Svartifoss starts from the visitor center of Skaftafell. While the waterfalls are quite lovely, the trail itself is not incredibly interesting. The path is mostly on a series of mats to help with erosion and gains elevation with a few steep hills to get to each waterfall. There are some pretty views, but the surrounding area is mostly open and flat.
Hundafoss is the tallest of the waterfalls. You will also pass Þjofafoss – the Thieves Waterfall, and Mugnusarfoss – the Fall of Mugnus. After about 1 mile, the trail descends for the last few hundred feet to a small viewpoint and a bridge that crosses over the stream. The waterfall from this point is very impressive as the water drops over 80 feet down a cliff covered in columnar basalts.
The base of the waterfall is known for the sharp upward rocks as the rock columns break off before the water smooths the rocks. The waterfall is often described as a giant organ.
Getting to the Svartifoss Hike
The best place to park for the Svartifoss Waterfall hike is in the large parking lot near the Skaftafell visitor center. There are several activities that start from here including a walk to Skaftafell Glacier, as well as a campground, so the lot can get very full. The parking lot is just 5 minutes off the main road – route 1.
There are some basic facilities as well as general information and maps at the visitor center. The start of Svartifoss Waterfall hike starts about a 5 min walk from the visitor center in the campground.
Below are some driving times to the Skaftafell visitor center:
- Vik to the Svartifoss Waterfall hike: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon to Svartifoss Waterfall hike: 1 hour
- Black Diamond Beach to Svartifoss Waterfall hike: 45 minutes
Complete Details of Our Svartifoss Hike
When we visited Svartifoss, we originally tried to park closer to the waterfall by driving past the Skaftafell Visitor Center Parking lot. There is restricted parking in this area, so we had to turn around and park at the visitor center. After a quick stop at the visitor center, we headed out on the hike. The hike took our family about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
While the trail itself is relatively uninteresting, you pass a beautiful series of waterfalls along the way to the final waterfall. There are many hiking trails in the area so while the trail is well-marked, it’s important to pay attention to trail signs.
After about 3/4 of a mile, you can see Svartifoss in the distance. While it can be tempting to stop here, it is definitely worth walking all the way to the waterfall as the view is best from the bridge and viewpoint just under the waterfall.
Things to Know about Hiking to Svartifoss
Below you can find some answers to some common questions about visiting Svartifoss Waterfall and hiking the Svartifoss Trail.
How much time do you need for Svartifoss?
The entire hike to Svartifoss is 2 hours round trip and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. There are many ways to extend the hike if you are looking to turn it into a longer walk.
When is the best time to visit Svartifoss Waterfall?
Svartifoss is open year-round and can be visited in every season. The parking lot is easy to get to off the main road and the trail is well-marked. Make sure to wear a good pair of microspikes if you are planning to visit in the winter.
What other sites are near Svartifoss Waterfall?
There are several other nearby sites to visit if you are stopping at Svartifoss. You can also visit Skaftafell Glacier from the same park, or make the 45-minute drive to visit Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón. After visiting Svartifoss Glacier, we did a glacier hiking tour (Extra-Small Group Glacier Hike).
