We left the campsite before dawn on day four to see the sunrise at Skógafoss. The falls are about 60m high, and the power of the water is incredible. We climbed the steep steps on the right-hand side, around 527 of them, up to the viewing platform, which gives a great view over the falling water and the coastal plain beyond.
From there we carried on to Seljalandsfoss and then Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall that’s easy to miss, where the spray hung in the air all around us.
A storm was heading for the coast, so we had to squeeze the rest of our plans into a few hours. We made quick stops at the Strokkur geyser and at Gullfoss, where the water drops into a deep canyon with huge force. As the wind picked up we headed for Reykjavík, glad to have the shelter of the city for the night.
Good to know
- Skógafoss: the falls are about 60m high, and there are around 527 steps to the top platform. Parking is about 1,000 ISK per car. Parka
- Seljalandsfoss in winter: the path behind the falls is often too icy to use and is frequently closed. Gljúfrabúi is a short walk north.
- Strokkur and Gullfoss: Strokkur erupts every six to ten minutes, usually to 15 to 20m. Gullfoss drops 11m and then 21m. Both are free to see, but the car parks charge. South Iceland
- Storms: the Icelandic Met Office issues yellow, orange and red warnings on vedur.is. When one is coming, do what we did and head for shelter early.
- What to pack: our Iceland packing list covers winter driving and camping.
We checked these details in October 2026. Times, prices and rules do change, so it’s worth a quick look at the official sites before you go.