Guide to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in Iceland

How To Get to Seljalandsfoss?

One of the best parts of visiting Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland is how easy it is to get there. It is located literally on the side of the road. That means no crazy hikes or 4X4 drives to the parking lot. It is only about an hour and fifty minutes from Reyjavik.

You will take Ring Road 1 towards the south coast of Iceland. After about 78 miles, you will turn onto Road 249. From there, drive a little over half of a mile. You will then see the parking lot on your right.

There are no entrance fees to access the falls. But if you want to park, there is a small fee you will need to pay a Seljalandsfoss parking fee. It costs only 800 ISK or around $5 USD. There is no time limit either, so you can spend the whole day exploring the waterfall and surrounding area.

Hiking at Seljalandsfoss

The hike at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is extremely unique. This is because you get to walk behind seljalandsfoss! Normally it is dangerous and illegal to make your way behind a waterfall, but not at Seljalandsfoss.

The hike begins at the parking lot. The short black path will bring you to the base of the staircase before the falls. Make your way up the semi-steep staircase which brings you to the side of the waterfall. You can capture some amazing pictures from this angle too.

From there, you will leave the stairs and start your climb on the rocks. The rocks can get very slippery from the waterfall mist. It is important to go slow and be extra careful when walking on the rocks. The rocks will bring you to the dirt trail behind the waterfall in the small cave.

Here is where you experience a once-in-a-lifetime view of Seljalandsfoss.

Many places will not allow you behind a waterfall, resulting in fines or even jail time. Luckily you do not have to worry about that here. Prepare to get wet from the waterfall mist though. Even on a sunny day in Iceland, we recommend wearing your rain jacket through this part.

After you take some time to marvel behind the waterfall, continue along the path. It will bring you up to the other side of Seljalandsfoss.

You will need to climb up some rocks again or you can simply turn around and go back the same way you came in. The trail is short, quick, and magnificent. Take on the 1.2-mile walk with a low elevation gain of 226 ft. 

Don’t miss out on the neighboring waterfall, Gljufrabui waterfall.

This one-of-a-kind canyon waterfall is only a nine-minute walk north of Seljalandsfoss. Gljufrabui is a 130-foot waterfall that is hidden inside a cave. You can either climb up above the falls or walk through the opening of the cave. This unique waterfall is a fun addition to your Seljalandsfoss trip.

You can stop by Seljalandsfoss waterfall any time of the year. The busiest months are from June to August. The longer hours of sun and warmer temperatures are a perfect time to enjoy the refreshing mist. You can even visit during the Midnight Sun for a rare hiking opportunity.

If you want to spend some time without the crowds, visit in the fall or winter. Anytime between September to March would be an ideal time to stop by.

These months are colder, so this will be a time to pack thicker clothing. Not sure what to pack? We are going to break down exactly what you need.

What To Pack

Even on the prettiest of days, you will still need to pack rain gear for your visit to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. This is because of the constant mist that the waterfall provides. Even if you are not getting up close and personal with the falls, the mist will still float over, providing light rain.

If you are planning to go near or behind the waterfall, then prepare to get soaked. Since the waterfall is giant, the light mist from afar can turn into heavier rain at times. We are not going to lie, on hotter days it is super refreshing. But, on colder days you want to make sure you have enough layers to keep you warm,

First and foremost, invest in a good rain jacket.

You want something that will keep your underneath clothing warm. Columbia makes comfortable and warm rain jackets. Other popular brands are North Face and Patagonia. These outdoor brands cater to adventures and are created to keep you warm on hikes.

Now let’s talk about your shoes.

Do not try to attempt the Seljalandsfoss waterfall hike in your running shoes or flip-flops.

You need sturdy, waterproof boots with a sturdy grip. The rocks become very slippery from the constant mist of the waterfall. This combined with rainy days can be extremely dangerous. That is why it is all about the grip.

Good hiking shoes can be a bit pricey, but the investment is completely worth it. Iceland has different terrains from muddy to dry.

If you are planning to do any hiking throughout the country, then be sure to splurge on a good pair. Salomon is a top-rated hiking boot brand that offers plenty of different styles and types. Make sure to pair them with heavy-duty hiking socks.

Always bring an extra pair of dry socks in your backpack too. This misty hike may leave your socks a bit wet by the end of your adventure.

Lastly, make sure you have layers with you.

You may start your hike in Iceland in a t-shirt in the summer months. But, towards the end of this waterfall hike, you will be cold from getting wet. On cold days, wear a base layer and fleece under your rain jacket. This will help you stay extra warm, especially when the colder water hits you.

Celebrity Sightings at Seljalandsfoss

This beautiful waterfall in Iceland is also a celebrity favorite. It was featured in music videos, television shows, and movies. Can you blame them? Seljalandsfoss is out of this world and makes a special backdrop for every type of film. 

You may recognize this beauty in the sixth season of the Amazing Race. The race began in downtown Chicago as the team made their way to Reykjavik, Iceland. They took a wild 130-mile drive to Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where they had to find their next clue behind it.

Justin Bieber filmed his music video for “I’ll Show You” in Iceland back in 2015. This was one of the first times a very famous artist put the country on the map. Causing a lot of interest in Iceland from people throughout the world. Justin was seen exploring the famous Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, bringing a lot more attention to the stunning landscape in the area.

The movie The Juniper Tree featured the walk behind the waterfall in its film. This 1990 Icelandic movie is in the medieval fantasy drama category. It was written and directed by Nietzchka Keene and based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "The Juniper Tree", The star of the film, Björk Guðmundsdóttir is seen walking behind the waterfall.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in Iceland has also been featured in season three of Star Trek: Discovery "That Hope Is You, Part 1". You can see it for yourself by watching the first episode of season three. This beloved show follows the voyages of Starfleet on their missions to discover new worlds and new life forms.

For obvious reasons, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is one of the most photographed waterfalls in all of Iceland.

Photographers can get a once-in-a-lifetime portfolio shot right behind the falls. The most recommended time to snag that gorgeous photograph is at sunset. The vibrant colors will dance through the Icelandic Sky. Combine this with the cascading waterfall for a gorgeous shot.

The best time to photograph Seljalandsfoss is from the end of May to early July. This is when the sun is lower, between 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. As a result, the sun sits right in front of the falls, providing that golden hour glow.