Glymur Waterfall

Glymur is one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, with a drop of about 198 m, set at the head of a deep gorge in Hvalfjordur in West Iceland. The trailhead is at the Glymur car park in Hvalfjardarsveit, roughly 60 km and about one hour by car north of Reykjavik through the Hvalfjordur tunnel, followed by a gravel road. No public bus serves the trailhead, so a car or guided tour is needed. The loop is about 7.4 km with an ascent of around 300 m and takes 3-4 hours, and it is rated hard because of the river crossing, steep sections and exposed gorge edge. The route begins through a cave-like rock passage, then crosses the Botnsa river on a log bridge, often with a cable handrail. Hikers who wish to continue climb the eastern slope of the gorge on a steep path, with sections of loose gravel and rock, before descending towards the waterfall viewpoint at the upper end of the gorge. The trail then crosses the river a second time, in many cases by wading, which makes waterproof boots, trekking poles and dry socks valuable. The surface is a mix of dirt, scree, rock and wet ground, with little shade and strong exposure to wind and drops on the gorge side. Landmarks include the cave at the start, the log bridge, the high viewpoint over the gorge and the top of the falls. Turn-around points are possible at the log bridge for those not wishing to wade, though the main views come later. There are no huts or refuges, and drinking water must be carried. The recommended window is June to September, as spring snowmelt and autumn rain raise river levels and increase danger. The Glymur hike offers a rugged alternative to the more visited waterfalls closer to Reykjavik.