The staircase at Skógafoss waterfall leads to a clifftop trail with a series of smaller waterfalls and views back over the waterfall and coast. Can be extended for full-day hiking toward the glacier.
The trail starts at the Skógafoss car park directly off Route 1 on Iceland's south coast, an easily reached trailhead with free parking and a bus stop served by South Coast tour and highland services; no permit is required. A metal staircase beside the main 60m waterfall climbs steeply to the clifftop, gaining most of the route's 400m over the first short stretch before the trail levels into a rolling path along the Skógá river gorge. The 6 km round trip to the first viewpoint follows a mix of gravel path and boardwalk near the top of the staircase, transitioning to a dirt track with some exposed edges along the canyon rim further along; the route has little shade and can be windy at the clifftop. Along the way hikers pass a series of smaller waterfalls, part of the roughly 26 falls that punctuate the Skógá river as it descends from the Fimmvörðuháls plateau, with clear views back over Skógafoss and the coastal plain toward the sea. The trail continues beyond the 6 km viewpoint toward the Fimmvörðuháls pass and Eyjafjallajökull glacier for those extending into a full-day hike, but the standard turn-around point offers the main falls and glacier views without the sustained highland climb. There are no huts or facilities beyond the trailhead; the only water source is the river itself, which should be treated before drinking.
| Distance | 6 km return (to first viewpoint) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Best season | May to September |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Skógar, South Iceland
Weather through the year in Iceland
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Iceland.
Highlights
- Skógafoss base (60m falls)
- Series of 26 smaller waterfalls
- Coastal views
- Glacier views
- Wildflowers in summer
Tips for visiting
- The staircase beside Skógafoss is steep and can be slippery with spray; take it slowly, especially in wind.
- Continuing past the first viewpoint toward Fimmvörðuháls turns this into a much longer highland day hike, so plan turn-around time accordingly.
- Wear layers, as the clifftop section is more exposed to wind than the sheltered valley below.
- Visit in early morning or evening in summer to avoid the crowds that gather at the base of Skógafoss.
When to visit
Early morning or early evening in summer avoids the tour bus crowds that gather at the base of the waterfall by midday.
Accessibility
The initial staircase and the unpaved clifftop trail beyond it are not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, though the base of Skógafoss waterfall is reachable via a flat gravel path from the car park.
Frequently asked questions
Is the staircase at Skógafoss difficult?
The staircase itself is short but steep with several hundred steps, gaining most of the route's elevation in a concentrated climb before the trail levels off along the river gorge.
How far can hikers go along the trail?
A round trip of about 6 km to the first main viewpoint is a manageable 2-3 hour outing, while continuing further connects to the Fimmvörðuháls Trail toward the Eyjafjallajökull glacier for a full-day highland hike.
Are there facilities along the trail?
There are no huts, toilets, or shops beyond the Skógafoss car park and visitor facilities at the trailhead, so hikers should carry water and snacks for longer sections of the route.
When are the smaller waterfalls most impressive?
Flow along the Skógá river's waterfalls is strongest during spring snowmelt and after summer rain, though the falls run year-round.