Seljalandsfoss is a 60-metre waterfall on Iceland's South Coast, about two hours by road from Reykjavík, and among the few waterfalls in the country you can walk behind. A short walk north lies Gljúfrabúi, another waterfall set inside a narrow gorge. This guide covers getting there, the walk behind the falls, and how to pair it with nearby Skógafoss.
Seljalandsfoss at a glance
Short on time? Here is the quick version.
| Seljalandsfoss | |
|---|---|
| Where | Iceland's South Coast, just off Route 1 |
| From Reykjavík | About two hours, roughly 120 to 130 km |
| Height | About 60 metres |
| Signature | A path around and behind the falls |
| Nearby | Gljúfrabúi (about 200 m north) and Skógafoss (about 30 km east) |
Getting there from Reykjavík
Seljalandsfoss sits just off Route 1, the Ring Road, on Iceland's South Coast, about two hours and roughly 120 to 130 kilometres southeast of Reykjavík. The falls are visible from the road and there is a car park at the site, so it makes an easy stop early on a South Coast drive. In winter, check road and weather conditions before you set out, since conditions on the South Coast can change quickly.
Walking behind the falls
Seljalandsfoss drops about 60 metres over a tall cliff, and a footpath runs all the way around and behind the falling water. Standing behind the curtain is the main reason people stop here, since few waterfalls anywhere let you do it. The spray keeps the path damp and the rocks slippery, so waterproof layers and shoes with grip help. In freezing weather the spray turns to ice, which can make the walk behind the falls slippery and sometimes impassable.
Gljúfrabúi, the waterfall in the gorge
About 200 metres north of Seljalandsfoss, along the base of the cliffs, stands Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall roughly 40 metres tall that falls inside a narrow gorge. From outside you see only a slot in the rock, because the fall is set back out of view. To reach the base you wade up a shallow stream between the canyon walls, so expect wet feet and slippery footing. It is a short detour from the main car park and pairs naturally with Seljalandsfoss.
Pairing it with Skógafoss
Skógafoss lies about 30 kilometres further east along the South Coast, roughly 25 minutes by car on Route 1, which makes them easy to combine in a day. Where Seljalandsfoss is a tall, narrow fall you walk behind, Skógafoss is a broad wall of water you view head-on. Many South Coast itineraries link them with a black-sand beach or a glacier stop in between.
Tours vs self-drive
Self-driving gives you the falls at your own pace, and the site is an easy stop right on Route 1 with parking on arrival. A guided South Coast tour takes the driving and winter conditions off your hands, and usually bundles Seljalandsfoss with Skógafoss and other stops. Tour prices change with season and operator, so to see current options and costs, compare South Coast tours and day trips.
Map the drive
Use the Driving Distance Calculator to see how Seljalandsfoss: the waterfall you can walk behind fits with the other places on your route.
