Svartifoss is a waterfall in Skaftafell, a wilderness area within Vatnajokull National Park in southeast Iceland. Svartifoss drops about 20 metres. The name Svartifoss means Black Falls, after the dark basalt columns that frame it.
Svartifoss at a glance
Skaftafell was a separate national park before it became part of Vatnajokull National Park. Skaftafell sits on the southern edge of Vatnajokull, the largest ice cap in Europe by volume, and is a base for views of glacier tongues such as Skaftafellsjokull.
Where Svartifoss is and the walk in
Svartifoss is reached on foot on a marked uphill trail from the Skaftafell visitor centre car park. The trail up to Svartifoss passes two smaller waterfalls, Hundafoss and Magnusarfoss. The Skaftafell visitor centre has parking, information, and a network of marked trails of varying length. Skaftafell is the visitor centre area for the marked trail to Svartifoss.
The black basalt columns
The waterfall is framed by hexagonal basalt columns, formed as a thick lava flow cooled slowly and fractured into regular columns. The columns form a curved wall, like an amphitheatre, around the water, and hang over the falls like the pipes of an organ. Broken columns collect at the foot of the falls, so viewing is from a short distance rather than directly beneath.
The columns and Icelandic architecture
The columns are often cited as an inspiration for Icelandic architecture, including the stepped front of the Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik.
Visiting Svartifoss and South Coast tours
You can compare South Coast tours to see the current options.
Map the drive
Use the Driving Distance Calculator to see how Svartifoss waterfall: dark basalt columns fits with the other places on your route.
