What is the name of that waterfall you can walk behind? Well, that would be Seljalandsfoss. You will find stunning photos of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall in many guidebooks, websites or blogs. And that is for good reason. The waterfall is beautiful in itself, but what makes it truly special is that you can walk behind it. It is also located directly along Iceland’s famous Ring Road.
For tourists, Seljalandsfoss is one of the favourite waterfalls to visit in Iceland and it is located in the south of the country. Most visitors include South Iceland in their itinerary and Seljalandsfoss is one of the highlights there. Park your car in the (paid) parking lot and within 10 minutes you will be standing behind the waterfall!
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Walking behind Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of the few waterfalls in Iceland where you can actually walk behind the curtain of water. It is at least the largest waterfall where this is possible. The path has been neatly laid out for you. It leads you from the front of the waterfall around to the back. Take care though: it can be very slippery! You are still out in the wild nature here.
To be able to walk behind it, you do need to make sure you visit at the right time of year. In winter the path is often closed. It is always damp behind the waterfall, which causes it to freeze over. During the rest of the year you can easily walk behind the waterfall. Just be mindful of how slippery it can get.
Artists have also found their way to Seljalandsfoss
There is a good chance you have already seen Seljalandsfoss in a music video. For example, the waterfall was one of the checkpoints in the sixth season of The Amazing Race, a well-known American reality series. The Seljalandsfoss waterfall has also appeared in several music videos and films. Björk, who is from Iceland herself, has featured the waterfall in a number of her films. And Justin Bieber was filmed at the waterfall and several glaciers in Iceland in his music video “I’ll Show You”.
Partly thanks to its use in the media, Seljalandsfoss has in recent years grown into a popular destination in South Iceland. Although I can imagine that even without the celebrities you would have pulled over for this beautiful waterfall.
Seljalandsfoss is actually a strange name
If you freely translate it from Icelandic, you are more or less saying “to sell the land of the waterfalls”. Foss already means waterfall in Icelandic. You will notice this with more waterfalls.
There is no clear reason why the name of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall has anything to do with “selling the land”. It has been suggested that there may once have been merchants living in the area, which is how it got its name. Scientists have also noted that the area around the waterfall was once a dense birch forest.
Historians theorise that the name of the waterfall may have come from the fact that the birch forest was cut down and sold. But for now, all we can really do is speculate about how the Seljalandsfoss waterfall got its name.
Anyway, it does not really matter for your visit. It is just a fun fact to know!
Tips for a successful visit to Seljalandsfoss
To make your visit to Gljufrabui as pleasant as possible, here are a few tips:
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes and clothing suitable for the weather.
- Bring a waterproof jacket, as you are likely to get wet while exploring the waterfall and the Gljufrabui waterfall further on.
- Be careful when approaching the waterfall, as the rocks can be slippery.
- Do not forget to pay at the parking lot.
- Allow about an hour for your visit to both Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui.
Parking at Seljalandsfoss
The waterfall is easy to reach with your rental car or campervan and is located 128 kilometres from Reykjavik. It is best to combine your visit with the Gljufrabui waterfall; you can read more about that below. Set your navigation to the official parking lot (Google Maps) and you simply cannot miss the waterfall.
Note: parking here is paid. It will cost you 700 ISK, which is roughly 5 euros per day. In the parking area, besides the ticket machines, you will also find several toilets.
Also visit the unique Gljufrabui waterfall hidden in a cliff
Gljufrabui is a enchanting waterfall that is known as a hidden gem because of its unique location. The waterfall is also called the “canyon river waterfall”. In contrast to Seljalandsfoss, which is visible from the main road, Gljufrabui is partially hidden behind a cliff. To reach the waterfall, you have to enter a small gorge. The sound of the falling water and the beautiful view make for a magical experience. It is quite literally a hidden waterfall! And oh yes… you will probably get a bit wet.
Within walking distance of Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss remains the main attraction for most visitors. Still, I would absolutely combine it with Gljufrabui. It is only a 10-minute walk away.
You will see a sign pointing towards the Gljufrabui waterfall, but it is still fairly unknown. You have to pass through a narrow gap in the rock to get to this waterfall. Most people already give up at that point. But you will not now that you know this!
Also read my blog about it: Gljufrabui: hidden waterfall close to Seljalandsfoss
Have an amazing time visiting this beautiful waterfall!
