This is one of those places that is so magically Iceland, you have to see it to believe it. Gljúfrabúi Waterfall is hidden in plain sight. It is located in Southern Iceland within ten minutes a walk from one of the most popular sights in the country, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – yet most of the thousands of visitors seeing those falls miss out on this spectacular gem.
That is a blessing, because it would become a madhouse trying to get through the narrow crack which leads to the one that lives within the canyon, the English derivative of the waterfall. You’ll pass other little waterfalls along the way walking from one incredible sight to another, all sharing the same cliff with such different personalities spawning from the melt water of Eyjafjallajökull Glacier. Visiting in the middle of the day there was a short queue outside the passageway, but to get inside it is such a short distance, just a few steps – so it does not take that long for your turn to come along. While the walk is short the path is actually the Gljúfura River, which gives life to the waterfall.
You can take off your shoes, wear water shoes, hiking shoes, get your boots soaked, or attempt to rock hop. It’s going to be cold and wet for a minute or so, but the water wasn’t too high or powerful during my September visit. And it’s worth the mild discomfort that is a portal to a fantasy world.
Inside it is very damp due to the perpetual mist, and dark because it is cave like – except for the open skylight. This combination creates a cathedral of moss with a truly unforgettable waterfall raining down its cliff.
There is a grand boulder sitting right before the falls made of palagonite rock, named franskanef, which is excellent for climbing atop to get the perfect picture. Speaking of pictures, being so close to the waterfall and its trail of mist makes it very difficult to keep your lens dry. Don’t miss the nearby turf houses too add yet another exciting element to this area packed with wonder.
Good to know:
+Find the free parking lot
+Wear protective rain gear
+Campsite is available