Skogafoss Stairs
There’s a staircase to the right of the Skogafoss Waterfall as you are facing it. Active visitors can climb the stairs to the top for another perspective over Skogafoss!
Featuring 527 metal stairs, the Skogafoss staircase winds its way to the top of the cliff.
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The stairs are somewhat steep and also shaky, but there is a handrail on one side of the staircase and sometimes a ropeway on the other side. The stairs are also scored, to make foothold easier.
At the top is a viewing area that affords a view of Skogafoss from above. It’s not a full-on view of the entire drop, but it’s a different perspective on the massive volume of water that you can see plunge over the cliff.
Planning a trip to see the waterfall? Bookmark our Skogafoss web site for the complete rundown on every single detail!
The top of the staircase at Skogafoss is also the route to the stunning Waterfall Way Hike (Skogafoss Hike), which is the first part of the longer Fimmvörðuháls Trail, one of the most popular hikes in Iceland.
If you’ve made it to the top of the staircase at Skogafoss and you have the time, it is definitely worth doing all or part of the Waterfall Way to admire the many waterfalls on the Skoga River before Skogafoss.
You should wear shoes with good grip if you plan to tackle the Skogafoss staircase. Allow plenty of time if you aren’t in excellent shape, so that you can take breaks. Allow faster climbers to pass.
If you visit Skogafoss in winter and find that the stairs are roped off and there’s a “closed” sign, respect it because it means that the stairs are too icy to navigate.
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Skogafoss Stairs in a Nutshell
| Skogafoss Stairs Category | Details |
|---|---|
| What Are the Skógafoss Stairs? | A steep metal staircase of approx. 527 steps that climbs the right side of Skógafoss waterfall, leading to a viewing platform above the falls. |
| View from the Top | Stunning panoramic view over the Skógá River, the waterfall edge, and the southern Icelandic plains stretching to the ocean. |
| Access Point | From the right-hand side of the falls, just past the parking lot. Clear signage and trail path. |
| Trail Surface | Steel grate stairs with handrails. Can be slippery when wet or icy. Not suitable for strollers or those with limited mobility. |
| Fitness Level Needed | Moderate — most visitors in decent shape can do it. Take it slow if needed. |
How many stairs are there at Skogafoss Waterfall?
There are 527 metal stairs at Skogafoss. If you are up for a challenge and do not have a fear of heights, you can climb to the top for a different view of Skogafoss.
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How difficult are the stairs at Skogafoss?
The climb up the Skogafoss stairs is classed as moderately challenging. The stairs are steep and somewhat shaky, so many people find the climb challenging.
If the stairs are icy or there’s a wind or storm, you may want to forego climbing the stairs as they can be slippery.
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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 |