During medieval times in 1186 there was a convent in the town Kirkjubæjarklaustur of Southern Iceland, and just behind it sits a waterfall which keeps its story alive. Systrafoss or the Sisters’ Falls was named in its honor, the word systur relates to the nuns who lived there.
It is easy to see the falls right from the road, but hiking the trails provides different perspectives.
At the base of the falls is the Fossá River which runs underneath Fossasteinn rock, cleaved from the mountain in 1830 during a thunderstorm.
It is possible to crawl underneath the boulder which created a cave like den.
A short climb on the red trail leads to a viewing platform of the waterfall, tumbling into the Fossárgil gorge two distinct streamers drop over massive snail like rock, Fossasteinn.
The height of the waterfall is 225 feet and its source is Systravatn Lake at the top of the mountain. You can continue hiking in the region within a forest which was planted in the 1940s, or to the interesting geological feature the Church Floor.
Sourced from Google Images
Note that in times of drought the waterfall may be missing all together! Back at the beginning of the hiking trail is an abandoned looking turf home, adding to the atmosphere.
+Don’t miss the nearby Sister’s Rock