Aldeyjarfoss: basalt falls in North Iceland

Aldeyjarfoss is a waterfall in North Iceland, at the northern edge of the highlands. It drops about 20 metres, or roughly 20 to 22 metres in some sources, and sits on the Skjalfandafljot river. The walk from the car park to the viewpoint is about 1.2 km.

Where Aldeyjarfoss is and why it matters

Aldeyjarfoss stands in North Iceland at the northern edge of the highlands. Its setting puts it on the transition between the interior highland landscape and the north.

It sits on the Skjalfandafljot river, which is Iceland's fourth-longest river at about 178 km. The same river feeds Godafoss further downstream in North Iceland, and it draws on the Vatnajokull ice cap, which gives the water a milky glacial tone.

The Skjalfandafljot river and the 20-metre drop

At Aldeyjarfoss, the Skjalfandafljot drops about 20 metres into a turbulent pool below. Some sources give the height as roughly 20 to 22 metres.

The dark basalt columns that frame the falls

The waterfall is framed by dark, columnar basalt formations. These columns are hexagonal, formed by slowly cooling lava, with tones ranging from grey to brown and yellow hues.

The contrast of black basalt and white water gives Aldeyjarfoss its distinctive look.

Nearby Hrafnabjargafoss and the upstream cluster

Hrafnabjargafoss is a smaller waterfall a few kilometres upstream on the same Skjalfandafljot river.

Driving the Sprengisandur F26: roads, 4x4, and season

Aldeyjarfoss lies at the northern end of the Sprengisandur route, the F26 mountain road. It is reached roughly 42 km along the F26 from the north, with some rough off-road driving near the falls.

The approach is a gravel mountain road best driven with a 4x4 vehicle. The highland route is a summer destination, and highland F-roads are closed outside the season.

A short walking path of about 1.2 km leads from the car park to the waterfall viewpoint. For current conditions, check road.is and safetravel.is.