Gljufrabui Waterfall is on Iceland's South Coast, roughly 128 km from Reykjavik, and it drops about 40 metres into a narrow gorge. It sits beside Seljalandsfoss and uses the same parking area, with access from Route 1, the Ring Road.
What and where Gljufrabui is
Gljufrabui is a waterfall on Iceland's South Coast. It is fed by a river flowing from the Eyjafjoll mountains and the Eyjafjallajokull area.
The name combines the Icelandic gljufur, meaning gorge or canyon, and bui, roughly dweller in the gorge.
It is visible from Route 1, the Ring Road, and shares the parking area used for Seljalandsfoss. The site is roughly 128 km from Reykjavik on the South Coast.
The hidden canyon and how the waterfall sits
The falls are partially hidden from view inside a canyon of moss-covered black basalt rock. Gljufrabui drops about 40 metres into a narrow gorge.
A wooden staircase gives partial access up the cliff beside the gorge.
Wading into the gorge: what the walk is really like
To see the cascade in full you wade through a shallow rocky stream and step through a narrow gap in the rock face. Reaching the waterfall inside the ravine means getting wet.
On windy days the spray inside the gorge is like standing under a shower.
Gljufrabui and Seljalandsfoss, the overlooked neighbour
Gljufrabui sits just north of the far more famous Seljalandsfoss, a short walk along the cliffs.
Despite being beside one of Iceland's most photographed waterfalls, Gljufrabui has long stayed under the radar.
What to wear and practical tips for your visit
Waterproof or rubber footwear is recommended.
The rocks at the canyon entrance are slippery and become icy in winter, so caution is needed. For travel conditions, check safetravel.is and road.is.
Visiting Gljufrabui on a South Coast tour
Gljufrabui shares the Seljalandsfoss car park, and Seljalandsfoss is a standard stop on South Coast tours, so Gljufrabui can be seen on a South Coast day tour.
If you are looking at guided options that include this area, see South Coast tours.
Plan the journey
The Driving Distance Calculator can help you sequence Gljufrabui Waterfall: what to know before visiting with nearby sights without overfilling the day.
