Kvernufoss is a waterfall of about 30 metres in South Iceland, near Skogar on the east side of Skogafoss. The walk from behind Skogar Museum is roughly 20 minutes each way, about 1.4 km round trip. In summer, it is possible to walk behind the falls.
What and where Kvernufoss is
Kvernufoss sits half-hidden in the Kvernugil gorge, framed by green cliffs. It lies near Skogar in South Iceland, on the east side of the far more famous Skogafoss. The setting is a narrow gorge rather than an open roadside viewpoint, so the approach and the waterfall are closely tied to the river and cliff walls around it.
Walking behind the waterfall
Like Seljalandsfoss, Kvernufoss has a path that allows access behind the waterfall in summer. That walk-behind view is part of the site, but conditions matter here. Walking behind the falls is unsafe in winter due to ice.
The area behind the waterfall can also be slippery. Along with the riverside path and rocks near the gorge, this is a place where footing can change quickly depending on conditions.
How to get there from the Skogar Museum
The hike starts from behind the Skogar Museum, Skogasafn. From there, the route crosses a fence via a stile and follows the river up the gorge. The walk is roughly 20 minutes each way, about 1.4 km round trip.
A new path was laid to Kvernufoss in 2022 after visitor numbers rose. Even with that path, some sections involve climbing over rocks above the gorge. The route is straightforward in layout, but the surface is not fully even from end to end.
Kvernufoss and Skogafoss: the quieter choice
Kvernufoss is far less visited than neighbouring Skogafoss. The two waterfalls are close to the same area near Skogar, but Kvernufoss sits in the Kvernugil gorge and receives fewer visitors.
Best time to visit and what to bring
Summer is the season when you can walk behind Kvernufoss. Winter changes that, because walking behind the falls is unsafe due to ice.
Before setting out, check trail and weather conditions on safetravel.is. If you are driving the South Coast, check road status on road.is. The riverside path is uneven and the rocks and area behind the falls can be slippery, so sturdy waterproof footwear fits the conditions described for this walk.
Visiting Kvernufoss on a South Coast tour
If you want to compare options, see South Coast tours. For this waterfall itself, the verified details here are its location near Skogar, the walking route from behind Skogar Museum, and the seasonal note that the walk behind the falls is possible in summer but unsafe in winter due to ice.
Allow time for the road
Check the Driving Distance Calculator when deciding how Kvernufoss Waterfall: what to know before you go belongs in the rest of your itinerary.
