Exploring different waterfalls of south Iceland (Ring Road)
Our final day in Iceland before our 7.30 pm flight back home to Chicago and we wanted to take it nice and easy by driving to the famous waterfalls hopefully before the crowd arrived and spend time there trying to recreate those iconic photographs that shows the true beauty of Icelandic Foss.
We had avoided certain attractions in the Golden Circle area, especially Geysir, because it was too crowded, so visiting these falls were our chance to spend time there by ourselves, taking in the scenery and hopefully get some nice pictures. We checked out of the guesthouse at about 9.30 am and got back on the roads.
First we stopped at Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall that can be fully encircled, situated on the South Coast of Iceland with a drop of 200 feet. We parked at the Seljalandsfoss feeling thankful that there were not too many cars and started making our way towards the falls. A short hike up and around quickly took us to the back of the waterfall where we spent a lot of time mesmerized by the sound and beauty of the falls. Never before did we have such an experience where we could see a waterfall so up close and from behind it.
The most distinguishing feature of Seljalandsfoss is a pathway that stretches around it. The cliffs behind the falls have a wide cavern, and rocks and paths allow guests to fully encircle it in summer. It was indeed a mesmerizing opportunity, and we prepared to get dampened due to the perpetual mist of the falls, which also tends to make the rocks of the pathway slippery.
Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to go to the other waterfall Gljúfrabúi, just a little hike to the north and is widely considered the hidden gem of the scene, as it is too often overlooked.
It was close to noon when we got to the other iconic waterfall Skógafoss, one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, with a drop of some 60 meters and a width of 25 meters. You can walk right up to it but be prepared to be drenched. It felt overwhelming standing next to it. We wished it was a bright sunny day since we had seen so many photographs of Skógafoss and bright rainbows around it.
We also wanted to do the Skógafoss Waterfall hike (also called the Skógá Trail or Waterfall Way) which is considered one of Iceland’s most underrated experiences.This trail starts at the mighty Skógafoss waterfall and follows the Skógá River upstream for 5 miles.We were aware that the hikes goes through this lush, green landscape and you get to see 25 more waterfalls, dramatic canyons, and glacier-capped volcanoes just off in the distance. Sad to say, we did not have enough time to do this as well since we had to go to the airport for our flight.
They say time flies when you are having fun. It was soon we had to get back on the roads but we had enough time to take the longer scenic route via the Grindavik area, which is one of the few towns with a harbor on the coast. Dropping off our car at the rental company, we made our way to the airport in the rental bus.
Soon, the trip was a beautiful memory and we could not wait to get back again as we already had made our itinerary for the next time! The flight back treated us with some glorious sunset view of Greenland.
