Skogafoss Hike: Spectacular Waterfall Way
Waterfall Way Hike at Skogafoss
Did you know that there are many waterfalls that you can access by way of a hike from Skogafoss?
Skogafoss is the start of the super scenic Waterfall Way hike, which takes you upstream along the Skoga River and back.
The Waterfall Way is actually part of the longer Fimmvorduhals Trail into the Thorsmork Valley, one of Iceland’s best day hikes.
But here we will talk about the Waterfall Way hike, a shorter trail that allows you to experience some of the numerous waterfalls the Skoga River creates before Skogafoss, which is its last plunge before it enters the ocean.
Planning a trip to see the waterfall? Bookmark our Skogafoss web site for the complete rundown on every single detail!
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Iceland, check out the some of the top things to do in Iceland, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
Skogafoss Hike: Trail Summary
| Skogafoss Hike | Details |
|---|---|
| Hike Name | Skogafoss Waterfall Staircase, Waterfall Way, Fimmvorouhals Trail |
| Trailhead | Bottom of Skógafoss Waterfall, near the parking lot in Skógar village, South Iceland |
| Skogafoss Hike Length (Distance options) | – Basic Staircase Viewpoint: ~0.5 km round trip (short climb only) – Skógá River Trail / Waterfall Way (Out-and-Back): ~15 km for casual hikers – Full Fimmvörðuháls Trail to Þórsmörk: 25 km one way (challenging, 8–10 hours) |
| Skogafoss Hike Difficulty | – Staircase only: Easy–Moderate (steep steps) – River trail: Moderate – Full trail: Difficult (requires planning, transport, fitness) |
| Time Required | – Viewpoint only: ~20–30 minutes – Extended river hike: 4-6 hours round trip, can hike part of trail – Fimmvörðuháls: Full-day or overnight trek |
| Trail Highlights | – Epic top view of Skógafoss – 20+ hidden waterfalls along the Skógá River (e.g., Fosstorfufoss, Steinbogafoss) – Mossy canyon walls, lava rock formations, highland scenery |
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Waterfall Way or Skogafoss Waterfall Hike
There are more than two dozen waterfalls you can see on the Skogafoss Waterfall Hike.
That’s why this trail is also called Waterfall Way!
While the waterfalls created by the Skoga River are captivating, the scenery through you will hike is stunning as well, with canyons and rolling terrain.
Best of all, very few people that visit Skogafoss take the time to enjoy the Waterfall Way, so hiking this trail is a splendid way to enjoy Icelands’s spectacular scenery without the crowds.
And you don’t even have to go all the way to the end: you can hike as far in as you like and then turn back. You will still get to enjoy some waterfalls and get a taste of hiking amidst Iceland’s outstanding natural beauty!
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Just walking even a couple of kilometers of the trail ( around 1.2 miles) will yield some waterfall views for an easy stretch of walking.
As you walk into the mid-section of the trail, look for the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull Glaciers.
The Waterfall Way hike ends at a bridge over the Skoga River.
The Waterfalls
Skogafoss, at the start of the trail, is of course one of the most well-known waterfalls in Iceland, a must-visit on any Iceland South Coast itinerary.
But the Waterfall Way features many more waterfalls, and they keep appearing, one after another, until you lose track!
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Not all the waterfalls along the Waterfall Way hike are named, but some of the named waterfalls that you’ll want to allow time to admire:
- Hestavaðsfoss
- Fosstorfufoss
- Steinbogafoss
- Fremri-Fellsfoss
- Innri-Fellsfoss
- Rollutorfufoss
- Skalabrekkufoss
- Rollutorfufoss
- Króksfoss
- Kæfufoss
- Eftisfoss
- Miðfoss
- Neðstifoss
- Sólseturfoss
The first waterfall on this list, Hestavaðsfoss, is just 200 meters (0.1 mile) from Skogafoss, and it has a nice wide shape and plunge that makes for great photos. If you have very limited time, walk at least up to here!
How long is the Waterfall Way hike?
The Waterfall Way hike that starts at Skogafoss is 7.6 kilometers (about 4.7 miles) one way.
The out and back trail is 15.2 kilometers (9.4 miles) round trip.
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What is the elevation change on the Waterfall Way hike?
The Waterfall Way hike has an elevation gain of 500 meters (about 1,640 feet).
Much of the elevation gain occurs at the very start of the hike, when you climb the 527 Skogafoss stairs to the top of the cliff.
The trail does go uphill even after that, but the incline is much more gradual.
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How difficult is the Skogafoss hike?
The Waterfall Way hike is considered easy to moderate. The stairs at Skogafoss are the hardest part.
You will still encounter some up and down terrain and uneven patches, some of which may be muddy and slippery, but overall the hike is not too demanding once you are at the top of the staircase.
Allow enough time to hike at a leisurely pace and take breaks if you need. You will likely stop often for photos anyway!
And wear closed-toed waterproof walking or hiking shoes, because there are a couple of stream crossings en route.
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What is the best time to do the Waterfall Way hike?
Summer is the ideal time for the Waterfall Way hike at Skogafoss. The weather is likely to be more stable and the path more likely to be clear of ice and snow.
Plus you will have lots of daylight hours to do the hike at leisure.
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Best Things to Do in Iceland at a Glance
| Location | Best Tours (Reserve now, these sell out fast!) |
|---|---|
| Area highlights | Golden Circle, South Coast, South Iceland, Ring Road |
| Reykjavik & from Reykjavik | Food walk, Northern Lights, Reykjavik city walk, whale watching, lava show, Icelandic horseback riding, Silfra snorkeling, puffins, volcano from helicopter, ATV |
| Vik & nearby | Easy glacier walk, black sand beach horse riding, zipline, glacier lagoon kayak |
| North Iceland | Whales & puffins, white water rafting, Godafoss |