Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3 Kilometers Round Trip (1.86 miles)
Waterfall Height: 20 Meters (65 feet)
Elevation Gain: 140 Meters (460 feet)
Duration: 1-2 hours
Svartifoss is an incredibly unique waterfalls in South-Iceland. Located in Skaftafell, this waterfall is close to glacier hikes, marks the starting point of Kristinartindar Mountain, camping, and other beautiful waterfalls.
This 20 meter tall fall has water pouring over black columnar basalt, giving it a stunning structure that is so commonly photographed.
Trail Map
Trails
There are two main ways up to the Svartifoss waterfall. Hikers will park at the visitor’s center, and follow the extremely well marked paths upwards to the falls. It is recommended to take the east path upwards, and the west path downwards. This will allow you to see each of the fantastic falls at various angles.
Either path provides hikers with views of the other waterfalls along the way to Svartifoss that are also beautiful attractions by themselves.
Once hikers reach Svartifoss, they can cross a bridge over the river, and head down via a great loop, and witness the falls from another angle.
Svartifoss in Winter
Svartifoss is a very popular destination in winter due to the ease of access and beauty. The surrounding glaciers shift in colors from White in the summer, to a deeper blue in winter months.
Additional Information
In addition to Svartifoss, hikers will want to see the other attractions and waterfalls along the way.
Hundafoss – (Dogs’ Falls) are difficult to see on the east side of the river leading to Svartifoss. It can be clearly seen from the west side of the river. It is beautiful on either side of the river though, just a different angles, and slightly more obstructed form the east side.
Magnúsarfoss – You can see Magnúsarfoss waterfall from the east trail on your way to Svartifoss. The better views of this fall are from the west side. .
Þjófafoss – (Thieves’ Falls) Is located just below Hundafoss, which again has better views from the west side trail to Svartifoss.
Sjónarsker View-Dial – This viewpoint is located a bit higher and farther than the other falls in the area, requiring hikers to put in a little extra effort. The views from here are extraordinary and 360 degrees. The dial at the viewpoint let’s hikers know what all of the surrounding peaks are. The trails to get to this are shown in the map above. This detour will add less than 2 km to your hike, and is completely worth it.
Directions
Additional Pictures
Hundafoss from west side trail
Sjónarsker View Dial
Sjónarsker View from dial
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about