A Guide to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in Iceland
Explore with us Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in South Iceland, a photogenic waterfall famous because you can walk behind it. This travel guide includes everything you need to know before visiting Seljalandsfoss, including tips on what to pack, where to stay, how to get there, and when is the best time to visit.
Ring Road in Iceland is one of the most scenic roads we've ever driven. Its southern part is famous for many reasons, but black beaches, rural landscape, proximity to the coast, and waterfalls are the main highlights here.
In this travel guide, we would like to talk more about one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland you can see along the way, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.
Why is Seljalandsfoss one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland when we consider that the country is home to around 10 000 waterfalls?
And why is Seljalandsfoss one of the most visited waterfalls and a must-visit place when it looks like hundreds of other falls we could see along the way?
The main reason is the fact that you can see it from behind (there is a deep depression in the rock); this is what makes Seljalandsfoss so special and why the visit is unique and different from other places in Iceland.
The possibility to fully encircle Seljalandsfoss and get drenched is the top attraction and must-do thing in Iceland, so make sure you put this waterfall in your Iceland itinerary.
It almost seems that Seljalandsfoss is the only waterfall you can walk behind safely in Iceland, but as we haven't, for sure, seen all the cascades, we cannot fully confirm it.
We saw only one similar waterfall on our two-week trip, Kvernufoss, that is nearby, but it was possible to walk behind to three quarters, and then we had to return the same way back.
Did this 60 meters high waterfall catch your attention? Keep on reading.
From when is the best time to visit Seljalandsfoss (small hint, it is fine even in the winter), how to stay safe, what to pack, how to get there, or where to stay, we've got you covered.
Where Is Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Seljalandsfoss is less than two hours drive from Reykjavik, and thanks to the easy access, you can even include it among the top day trips from the capital.
It is close to the famous Golden Circle, within driving distance to Reykjadalur Hot Springs River, close to Skogafoss, another wonderful waterfall, or Solheimasandur Plane Wreck.
It’s even near Vik, which is a traditional stopover place for most of the tourists, so we think it is very hard to miss it when traveling the South Coast of Iceland.
Seljalandsfoss is only a short detour from the most touristy road number 1 (Ring Road); you can even see it from the road itself, so make it a compulsory stop on your schedule.
How to Get to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Only a few buses pass around Seljalandsfoss; therefore, there are only two convenient options for visiting Seljalandsfoss.
You can travel either by rental or join a tour. Of course, you can always bike around Iceland (although the omnipresent wind makes the activity very challenging).
There's also another alternative, hitchhiking; if this is your travel style and you travel on a loose budget.
Car
Traveling in Iceland by rental car or campervan is very natural, and it is one of the best ways to explore the country as you can make as many stops as you want.
Seljalandsfoss is located just off Ring Road, so it is almost compulsory to make here t least a quick stop.
You need to turn to paved road number 249, which will take you to the official parking lot in less than two minutes.
The parking time is not limited, but you need to pay 700 ISK per car by credit card, plus you can give a donation (cash) in a box for maintaining the trail.
Restrooms are available at the car park.
Tour
Many (if not all) tour buses covering the top attractions along Southern Iceland have Seljalandsfoss on their itinerary, so do not despair if you cannot travel around Iceland in a car.
You can either take this South of Iceland Full-Day Tour or a Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Tour that stops by Seljalandsfoss as well.
When is the Best Time to Visit Seljalandsfoss
It is possible to visit Seljalandsfoss in every season, but it is important to know a few things associated with safety.
Whether you visit the waterfall in the summer or winter, the path behind the waterfall will always be wet and slippery.
As the waterfall falls from 60 meters, the spray gets really far, and it does not matter much whether it is windy or not.
One of the frequently asked questions is whether you can visit Seljalandsfoss in winter.
It is for sure possible, but you must consider a few things.
The path behind the waterfall can be closed for your safety, and when it is open, you should be super careful - some people even wear crampons to prevent the chance of slipping.
In the winter, you must look not only under your feet but also up as icicles can fall down.
From our experience, we visited Seljalandsfoss in July, and it was great.
First of all, the weather really worked out, and although we had to wear layers, temperatures were still fine.
Secondly, days were long, so we did not have to worry that much about our time of arrival at each site.
What to Pack
Even in the summer, we had to pay attention and look all the time beneath our feet as the trail was muddy and rocks slippery.
That's why even if the waterfall is super-close to the parking lot and the trail behind the waterfall is quite short, we recommend you to dress appropriately.
Wear hiking boots with good soles, a rain jacket, rain pants, and a waterproof dry bag.
We are not overreacting here; jeans and a t-shirt are really not the best choices unless you are ready to change into dry clothes in your car right after this short but photogenic sightseeing.
At least wear a rain poncho.
For more packing tips, head to this article: Iceland Summer Packing List.
What is the Best Time of the Day to Visit Seljalandsfoss
If you are a photographer and plan your photo locations altogether with the best time of the day to visit, Seljalandsfoss is for sure at its best during the sunset.
As we were traveling in Iceland in the summer, we enjoyed long days but did not wait for sunset or sunrise because they both were after midnight.
Because this waterfall is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland, be patient, and do not expect to have the place just for yourself.
If you still prefer not to share this special place with the crowds, plan your visit for either early morning or late evening.
The busiest months are for sure June, July, August, so make the most of the long days, and try to avoid times when tour buses arrive.
Tips for Photographers
Even though Seljalandsfoss is a photographer's dream, the spray coming off the waterfall can easily damage your camera or mobile phone.
As Iceland is a country of waterfalls, it pays off investing in waterproof gear to keep your valuables safe.
If you take photos with a phone, it is a good idea to buy a waterproof phone case.
For those of you with camera, keep the cap on the lens all the time, and take it off only when you want to take a shot.
Have a cleaning kit ready, and wipe your lens regularly.
In case you need to change the lens, turn your back against the waterfall and do it really quickly.
You can bring your ND filter, circular polarizer filter and tripod to create silky smooth effect.
Visiting Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Seljalandsfoss is fed by the glacial Seljalandsa River, which originates in the Eyjafjallajökull glacier.
Does that name sound familiar to you?
It is the volcano covered by ice that erupted in 2010 and caused problems in Europe's plane traffic, and it is also the volcano that almost no person could pronounce and remember.
But back to the topic.
Once you get off the car, you are very near the waterfall that you can already see.
Dress in waterproof layers and set off. Even though it is completely fine to admire Seljalandsfoss only from the front, the fun of visiting this place is to walk behind the waterfall.
As it is a loop, it does not matter which direction you opt for, but it seemed more natural to us to walk counterclockwise, and most of the other travelers did the same.
Later we found out it was really better to walk in this direction as we walked the only steep part uphill, which was definitely safer than doing it in the opposite direction.
How long does it take to walk behind Seljalandsfoss?
We would say that 10 to 15 minutes is quite adequate - you'll get a perfect experience, take some wonderful photos, and you won't be more wet than necessary.
In case you are a photographer, you might need more time.
The circle is easy to walk on; the rule of thumb is always to watch the path as it is muddy.
We found a bit challenging only one part, approximately in three quarters, where we had to climb over wet rocks, but other than that, in our opinion, the trail is doable for almost every type of traveler.
Once you are done with Seljalandsfoss and still have time, you can visit nearby Gljufrabui Waterfall.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Where to Stay When Visiting Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of the must-visit attractions in Iceland, and even though we are pretty confident you will incorporate it in your itinerary, it is hard to guess where you are going to stay for the night.
You can stay in the capital Reykjavik, Selfoss, Vik, but even at the campsite right at the waterfall.
Here's the list of the best hotels near Seljalandsfoss, where it is possible to spend a night, so you can choose the best place depending on your schedule.
Reykjavik | Midgardur by Center Hotels - Close to all top attractions, this hotel offers its guests amazing services. Except for comfortable beds and a tasty breakfast, you can relax in an on-site spa.
Selfoss | Selfoss Hostel - Selfoss is a small town that offers plenty of activities but not that many hotels. Selfoss Hostel is one of the few ones; it is a budget-friendly accommodation that provides travelers with clean facilities and an on-site kitchen.
Vik | Hotel Vik i Myrdal - Wonderfully decorated hotel is close to some of the top attractions in Iceland, so it cannot surprise you it is super-popular.
Eystra-Seljaland | Seljalandsfoss Horizons - If you can afford a bit of luxury, these amazing villas are only a short drive from the waterfall, yet you can enjoy privacy and perfect decor.
Camping
A short drive from Seljalandsfoss is Hamragardar, a popular campsite among travelers getting around Iceland in a campervan or sleeping in a tent.
Like most of the campsites near Iceland's top attractions, even this camp can get quite crowded, but you must learn how to live with it and enjoy the wonderful location.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
