Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland You Can Visit Without Hard Hikes

Traveled in July 2026

One of my favorite things about Iceland is how much incredible scenery you can see without a strenuous hike. We visited Iceland with our preschooler on a self-driving road trip and skipped the full Ring Road, so I expected we’d have to miss some of the more impressive sights. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised by how many unique and beautiful waterfalls were just a short walk from the parking lot! We are not avid hikers and even our 4 year old was able to manage these walks on his own. So these waterfalls are definitely accessible for people of all fitness levels. If you’re looking for maximum views with minimum effort, save these waterfalls for your Iceland road trip!

My Waterfall Hike Ratings

While I wouldn’t consider any of these hikes particularly challenging, not all of them are an easy walk from the parking lot either. However, we are not avid hikers, and we were able to do all of these hikes with our 4 year old walking on his own. Here’s how I would categorize the hikes:

• Very easy: right next to the parking lot with very little walking
• Easy: short walk on relatively flat terrain
• Moderate: longer or steeper walk, but not a strenuous hike

Best Waterfalls in Iceland Without a Hard Hike

1. Fjaðrárgljúfur

• Hike difficulty: Easy
• Location: On the way from Vik to Diamond Beach.

Why visit:

The waterfall at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon flows into the snake-like canyon. From the viewing platform, you can see how the water has carved out the grooves in the canyon over time.

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: we mapped to the “Fjaðrárgljúfur viewpoint,” which brought us up a gravel path to a small parking lot at the top of the canyon. This helped us avoid the steep uphill climb from the larger parking lot to the waterfall. From this small parking lot, it was a pretty short, flat walk to the waterfall viewing point.
• Approximate walking time: 5 minutes to the waterfall viewing platform
• Parking fees: paid with Parka

What the walk is really like:

The walk from the Fjaðrárgljúfur viewpoint parking lot that connected to the main path was a relatively flat gravel path that went through a grassy field. However, the walk down to the main parking lot looked much steeper. We did walk down the main path a little ways to see the other viewing platforms for the canyon.

Good for kids?

It wasn’t a hard walk, but our kid wasn’t particularly interested in this waterfall and canyon. There are barriers around the viewing platforms for safety, since they do drop off into the canyon.

How long to allow:
20–30 minutes.

2. Svartifoss

• Hike difficulty: Moderate
• Location: On the way from Vik to Diamond Beach.

Why visit?

This stunning waterfall cascades over a wall of basalt columns. These basalt columns are the inspiration behind the iconic Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavik. Because there is a bit of a hike to get there, it isn’t as crowded so you can have moments at the waterfall all to yourself.

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: we parked at the Skaftafell Visitor Center Parking. From the parking lot, it’s a short walk to the visitor center (where there are bathrooms). Then we followed the signs to the left pointing towards the trail to Svartifoss.
• Parking fees: paid with Parka app. This parking fee also includes the parking lot at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
• Approximate walking time: steep 45 minute walk each way.

What the walk is really like:

I did not research Svartifoss beforehand, so we didn’t find out the hike was 45 minutes each way until we got to the signpost and saw the time estimate. The hike is pretty much uphill the whole way, but you do get really nice views of the surrounding area and another little waterfall along the way. We managed it with our 4 year old walking on his own the whole way there and back. Once you get closer to the waterfall, there are some rocks to scramble around (but that ended up being our kid’s favorite part of the hike). There is a small viewing platform in front of the waterfall.

Good for kids?

It depends. I was apprehensive about the hike, but our kid ended up loving it! This kid will complain about walking 10 minutes on a city block, but skipped along happily on a 45 minute uphill hike. He also really enjoyed scrambling over the rocks. This was his favorite stop of the day! However, if you have to carry your kid, it will be a long slog.

How long to allow:

1.5-2 hours. Including time to take pictures, we took about 2 hours here. But that is because we were walking at 4 year old pace. Adults with relatively good fitness can probably finish in 1.5 hours.

3. Seljalandsfoss

• Hike difficulty: Very easy
• Location: close to Vik

Why visit?

Seljalandsfoss is one of the most easily accessible waterfalls where you can actually walk behind the waterfall. The waterfall is pretty much right next to the parking lot. There is a short path that loops behind the curtain of water, with photo opportunities from every angle along the way. You definitely get very wet from the spray, so this is one waterfall where you’ll need waterproof everything.

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: the waterfall is right next to the parking lot.
• Parking fees: operated by Check-it. We paid using the kiosk to avoid downloading another app. This parking lot covers both Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls.
• Approximate walking time: less than 5 minutes.

What the walk is really like:

The short paved path from the parking lot to the waterfall leads past the bathrooms, small gift shop, and food cart directly to a straight on view of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. From there, the path makes a loop behind the waterfall. The spray from the waterfall is pretty powerful, so the path gets more wet and slippery as you get closer to the waterfall. The path behind the waterfall is slightly more rocky, but manageable as long as you watch your step to avoid tripping.

Good for kids?

The area behind the waterfall is slippery and there are no barriers, so I would keep a close eye on younger children behind the waterfall. The path is pretty wide, so we mostly stayed close to the wall. Our kid was very entertained by the “tickly water” from the spray of the waterfall. The area behind the waterfall is cave-like, a little dark, and quite loud, so it might be a bit scary for younger kids.

How long to allow:

20-30 minutes if there is no line, longer if there is a line. This is one of the most popular waterfalls in the area, and a popular tour bus stop. We arrived at 10am and could walk right up to path leading behind the waterfall, so including time to stop for pictures it took us about 20 minutes overall. But by the time we walked back to the parking lot after finishing at Gljúfrabúi, there was a long line to walk behind the Seljalandsfoss waterfall.

3. Gljúfrabúi

• Hike difficulty: Easy, but requires walking over stones in a river
• Location: close to Vik

Why visit?

Gljúfrabúi used to be known as a “secret” waterfall because it is hidden inside a cave. But in the age of social media, nothing is really a secret anymore. We waited about 20 minutes to see Gljúfrabúi, which is the longest that we had to wait for a waterfall on our entire trip. The main reason is because the cave is small, and there only one way in and out of the cave. So you have to wait for the entire group to leave the cave before another handful of people can enter. However, it is completely worth it because this waterfall was really cool and so unique! Once you enter the cave you’re at the foot of a waterfall that seems to pour in from a hole in the sky.

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: about a 10-15 minute walk on a flat path from Seljalandsfoss.
• Parking fees: operated by Check-it. We paid using the kiosk to avoid downloading another app. This parking lot covers both Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls.
• Approximate walking time: 10-15 minute walk from Seljalandsfoss. Less than 5 minute walk into the interior of the cave where Gljúfrabúi is located, but requires stepping over stones to get across the river.

What the walk is really like:

The path from Seljalandsfoss to Gljúfrabúi is to the right after exiting the path that goes behind Seljalandsfoss. The path between the waterfalls is flat and you see a couple smaller waterfalls on the cliff face along the way. Once you get to the end of the path, you’ll probably see the line of people at the entrance to the cave next to the river. To get inside the cave, you have to either wade in the river, or step on the bigger stones in the river along the wall of the entrance to the cave. Waterproof hiking shoes are definitely helpful here.

Good for kids?

This waterfall was probably my kid’s least favorite because of 1) the wait and 2) the cave was loud, dark, and scary. My husband carried our kid while walking over the rocks because our kid’s legs weren’t long enough to walk across the rocks and definitely would have slipped and fallen into the river. The cave itself is small and dark and because you’re so close to the rushing waterfall, it’s very loud and echo-y. So overall, not the most enjoyable experience for little kids who are afraid of the dark and loud noises.

How long to allow:

45 minutes-1 hour, depending on the line to get in. We were only actually inside the cave for about 10 minutes, but between the wait to get inside and the walk back to the parking lot, it took us about 1 hour total.

4. Gluggafoss

• Hike difficulty: Very easy
• Location: close to Vik

Why visit?

Out of all the waterfalls we visited in West and South Iceland, Gluggafoss felt the most like a hidden gem. There were hardly any people here, and we had the waterfall all to ourselves the entire time we were here. Gluggafoss itself is almost like a double waterfall. There is a lower path where you can walk behind the small waterfall at the base. The upper path leads to the main attraction: the “window” waterfall that gives Gluggafoss its name. Over time, the rushing water has carved openings into the rock, creating natural windows that the waterfall flows through before continuing down the cliff

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: <5 minute walk
• Parking fees: free!
• Approximate walking time: 5 minutes each to walk on the lower path and the upper path to see the waterfall from different viewpoints.

What the walk is really like:

The small parking lot is right in front of the waterfall, so there is barely any walk to the waterfall. The small path on the right leads to the smaller waterfall on the lower level, and you can walk slightly behind that smaller waterfall. The uphill path on the left leads up to the main waterfall. There are some rocks to climb over at the top to get closer to the pool of the water.

I think what deters most people from visiting this waterfall is that it is slightly off the Ring Road. From the Ring Road, we had to cut through a pretty rough gravel path to connect to the road that Gluggafoss is on. We avoided the gravel path on the way back by taking the long way up route 261, then connected back to the Ring Road to head back down towards Vik.

Good for kids?

This waterfall was a hit with our kid. Mainly because of the river that runs right in front of the parking lot. Our kid had fun throwing rocks into the river, and other kids were dipping their feet in to the rushing water. The waterfall itself is pretty easy to visit with kids, especially those who like climbing over rocks.

How long to allow?

30-45 minutes. We spent a little longer here to give our kid time to play next to the river. But if you’re just visiting the waterfall it can be a quick stop. We didn’t mind spending longer here because it was such a nice break from the crowds at Seljalandsfoss.

5. Skógafoss

• Hike difficulty: Very easy (if skipping the climb to the top)
• Location: close to Vik

Why visit?

Skógafoss is another iconic waterfall in Iceland. It’s massive, and you can even see it from the Ring Road. One of the most dramatic things about it is that you can actually walk right up to the base of the waterfall (if you’re willing to brave the spray). For another view, you can also climb up a series of stairs all the way to the viewing platform at the top of the waterfall

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: 5 minute walk
• Parking fees: paid through Parka app.
• Approximate walking time: 5 minute walk from the parking lot to the base of the waterfall. The climb up to the top of the waterfall takes considerably longer, since it is an uphill climb up a series of 400-500 stairs. We skipped this, but read that it takes about 15 minutes each way.

What the walk is really like

The walk from the parking lot to the base of the waterfall is a relatively flat, short walk along the river that flows from the waterfall. There are spots where you can step over the rocks to ford the river for a more straight-on view of Skógafoss. From there, you can walk to the base of the waterfall.

We did not walk up to the viewing platform at the top of the waterfall. But it is about 400-500 steep metal and wood stairs up to the top. It sounds like a lot of stairs, but apparently only takes 10-15 minutes each way.

Good for kids?

Besides having to ford the river, this waterfall is pretty safe for kids. There are no steep drop offs. And the river itself is pretty calm. We saw a lot of kids throwing rocks into the river or playing along the banks of the river.

How long to allow?

30-45 minutes, depending on if you’re walking to the top of the waterfall.

6. Kvernufoss

• Hike difficulty: Easy
• Location: close to Vik

Why visit?

Kvernufoss was one of my favorite waterfalls on our trip. The approach to the waterfall is stunning because it’s perfectly nestled in a green canyon. And this is another waterfall that you can walk completely behind, but without the crowds of Seljalandsfoss.

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: map to Kvernufoss parking, which is located behind the Skogar Museum. The waterfall is a 30 minute walk from the parking lot.
• Parking fees: paid through Parka app.
• Approximate walking time: 30 minute walk each way

What the walk is really like:

The walk to the waterfall is slightly uphill on a gravel path that runs next to the river. The path behind the waterfall is pretty steep, and gets very slippery because of the wet rocks and loose gravel.

Good for kids?

Our kid enjoyed the walk because it was next to the river. But I was very concerned about safety when we got behind the waterfall. Even with sturdy shoes, our kid slipped on the gravel. We kept him close to the wall of the cave behind the waterfall to avoid him accidentally slipping over the edge.

How long to allow?

1-1.5 hours to walk to the waterfall and back and spend some time behind the waterfall.

7. Gulfoss

• Hike difficulty: Very easy
• Location: Golden Circle

Why visit?

Gullfoss is the largest and widest waterfall we saw in Iceland, and it’s worth visiting just to experience the sheer power of the water. It’s also one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland since it’s a major stop on the Golden Circle. Of all the waterfalls we visited, Gullfoss was also the most developed in terms of infrastructure. There are well-maintained paths and both upper and lower viewing platforms, giving you the chance to see the waterfall from different angles. The different viewpoints make it easy to appreciate just how massive Gullfoss is.

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: <5 minute walk from the parking lot to the viewing platforms.
• Parking fees: free!
• Approximate walking time: from the parking lot to the upper viewing platform it’s about a 10 minute walk. The walk to the end of the lower viewing platform closest to the waterfall is about 15 minutes.

What the walk is really like:

The walk to the upper viewing platform is along a series of ramps and overall pretty flat. The lower viewing platform is down one flight of stairs. To get closer to the waterfall itself, there is a steeper path down to another viewing platform.

Good for kids?

There are plenty of railings along the viewing platforms here so you don’t have to worry as much about kids slipping and falling here. However, our kid was overall pretty uninterested in the waterfall itself.

How long to allow?

20-30 minutes to walk along all of the viewing platforms.

8. Bruarfoss

• Hike difficulty: Easy
• Location: Golden Circle

Why visit?

Bruarfoss was my favorite stop on the Golden Circle. The bright aqua blue water of the waterfall and the shape of the waterfall itself was so unique and pretty. There is a bit of driving on a gravel path to reach the waterfall, but it’s worth it.

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: 5 minute flat walk from the parking lot.
• Parking fees: paid through Parka app.
• Approximate walking time: 5 minute walk from the parking lot to the bridge over the waterfall.

What the walk is really like:

The path to Bruarfoss is a flat gravel path that leads to the bridge overlooking the waterfall. There is a small path leading down to an overlook underneath the bridge where you can get a more eye-level view of the waterfall.

Good for kids?

From a safety perspective, it’s a pretty safe waterfall to visit with kids because the bridge has many railings. However, our kid didn’t find anything of interest at this waterfall.

How long to allow?

15-20 minutes to walk to the waterfall and back and take photos.

9. Svöðufoss

• Hike difficulty: Easy
• Location: Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Why visit?

The walk to Svöðufoss was one of my favorites on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula because it was so peaceful. On the walk there, you just hear the sounds of the bubbling water from the river, the wind rustling through the grass, the Icelandic sheep baa-ing, and the Icelandic horses neigh-ing. And the waterfall itself is stunning, set in a green grassy valley. You do have to drive on a short gravel path to reach the waterfall parking, but it’s worth it to get this beautiful waterfall to yourself.

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: 10-15 minute flat walk from the parking lot.
• Parking fees: free!
• Approximate walking time: 10-15 minute walk from the parking lot each way.

What the walk is really like:

The path to Svöðufoss is completely flat and really well maintained. Parts of the path are boardwalks going over the river. The path itself winds through a grassy pasture where Icelandic sheep and horses graze. There is a viewing platform at the base of the waterfall.

Good for kids?

This waterfall was a hit with our kid. He liked spotting the animals on the walk to the waterfall, and skipping over the boardwalks.

How long to allow?

30-45 minutes to walk to the waterfall and back and spend some time at the waterfall.

10. Kirkjufellsfoss

• Hike difficulty: Very easy
• Location: Snafellsnes Peninsula

Why visit?

Kirkjufellsfoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland because of Game of Thrones fame. It’s a super easy stop right off the road in Snaefellsnes Peninsula, so if you’re driving the peninsula it’s well worth a stop. The waterfalls in front of the cone-shaped mountain is just picture perfect.

How easy is it to reach?

• Distance from parking: the waterfall is right next to the parking lot.
• Parking fees: paid using a machine in the parking lot.
• Approximate walking time: <5 minute walk from the parking lot.

What the walk is really like:

It could not be any easier to visit this waterfall. The parking lot is just off the main road. From the parking lot, a short path crosses over a bridge that runs over the waterfall and leads to a viewing platform. The viewing platform has views of the waterfall with Kirkjufell mountain in the background.

Good for kids?

This waterfall is good for kids in the sense that it’s a short walk and there are plenty of railings for safety. But our kid didn’t find the waterfall very interesting because there’s nothing much to do but look at the views.

How long to allow?

10-15 minutes. Some people find that the parking fee feels steep for the amount of time you actually spend at the waterfall, but that is the price to pay for fame.

Tips for Visiting Waterfalls in Iceland

• Check the length of the walk to the waterfall and driving distance between sights when planning your day. Many people underestimate the time that it takes to see the waterfall and the time it takes to drive between sights and end up running out of time. While waiting in line for Gljúfrabúi, we overheard many people making the tough decision to skip it because they didn’t budget enough time to wait in the line.
• Wear waterproof layers. One of the coolest parts of many of Iceland’s waterfalls is how close you can get to the waterfalls themselves. But that also means you can get quite wet. Having a waterproof jacket, waterproof pants, and waterproof hiking shoes will make your day much more comfortable so you don’t have to sit in wet clothes when driving between sights.
• Allow extra time with young kids. Even though these waterfalls only involve short walks, kids are notorious for getting distracted while walking and taking double the time to cover a short path.
• Be careful around slippery rocks. The paths behind the waterfalls can be slippery and wet, and there are no barriers to keep you from falling over the edge into the waterfall. Wearing sturdy hiking shoes with traction gave me much more confidence on these slippery paths. At Skogafoss, we saw an influencer walking over rocks in stiletto heels in order to have the “perfect” outfit for her photo at the base of the waterfall. She nearly twisted her ankle multiple times and caused a serious back up of people behind her waiting for her to slowly make her way across the rocks. Don’t be that person.
• Don’t get too close to powerful waterfalls simply for a photo. It’s not worth it to sacrifice your health and safety for the gram. You can get amazingly close to some of these waterfalls, but it takes just one slip to fall into the waterfall itself.
• Travel during the summer. Summer days are super long. Those long daylight hours work in your favor to squeeze in more sightseeing during the day. Summer also brings the best chance for good weather, so you can appreciate the waterfalls under a sheet of rain. We visited the end of July and were lucky to have sunny days for most of our waterfall visits.
• Don’t forget to pay for parking. It may be tempting to head straight for the waterfalls after finding parking. But forgetting to pay for parking can lead to some hefty fines since the rental car company adds on a hefty “administrative fee” to process any parking tickets. Cameras take a photo of your license plate when you enter the parking area and sends the ticket directly to the car rental company if you don’t pay on time.

How to Add These Waterfalls to an Iceland Itinerary

We saw these waterfalls through day trips from our home bases in Vik and Reykjavik.

From Vik:

• Day trip to Diamond Beach: to see Svartifoss
• Full Iceland itinerary: see how we connected Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Gluggafoss, Skogafoss, and Kvernufoss in one day

From Reykjavik:

• Day trip to Snaefellsnes Peninsula: to see Svodufoss and Kirkjufellsfoss
• Day trip to Golden Circle: to see Gulfoss and Bruarfoss

What to Pack for Visiting Waterfalls in Iceland

Packing for changing weather conditions and for the long car ride will make this long day trip smoother. The great thing about self driving is that you can bring as much as you want! These are the things we found helpful for this long day trip.

• Waterproof jacket: I put a packable waterproof jacket like this one into our bag for any unexpected rain showers while we’re out hiking. It doesn’t take up much space and keeps you dry!
• Fleece layers: we had sun, drizzle, and wind all in one day. Fleece layers are easy on and off and provide just enough warmth.
• Waterproof hiking shoes: the grip on hiking shoes makes me feel so much more confident while hiking. Waterproof hiking shoes are helpful in Iceland, because of the spray from waterfalls or having to step over stones in rivers while hiking.
• Water bottle: grocery stores are few and far between when road tripping Iceland. We brought our own water bottles everywhere to save money on buying water from restaurants.
• Snacks: most of the food options on the Ring Road are either food trucks or restaurants, both of which are expensive. Packing your own car snacks helps to save money during the long drive.
• Phone charging cable: we used our phone for mapping the route and taking pictures throughout the day. Having a car phone charging cable is a necessity to avoid running out of phone batteries.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses: when it’s sunny, the sun hits hard in Iceland. The wind makes it hard to wear a hat, so sunscreen and sunglasses are key.
• Tripod or selfie stick: to fully capture the sights with you in front of it, you need a tripod or selfie stick for more distance. We forgot ours and regretted it!
• Wet bag: just in case anything gets wet along the route, a wet bag is handy for keeping wet things separate from everything else.

Things to pack for kids

• Snack box: snacks are great for keeping kids entertained in the car. And a snack box will help keep those snacks from spilling.
• Car entertainment: if you’re ok with screens in the car, we use this mount to clip phones onto seat backs. Our kid also loves these stickers books. These travel magnatiles have a metal case so they won’t fall all over the place in the car. We also like to play I Spy, and there is no shortage of things to spy on this drive.
• Blankie or stuffy: bringing a blankie or stuffy makes the car a little more cozy and encourages more car naps.
• Kid’s sunscreen: this sunscreen stick has saved me so many fights with my kid over putting sunscreen on his face.
• Waterproof shoes: kids like to splash, so packing waterproof shoes to change into for any waterfalls is helpful to prevent soggy shoes and socks for the entire day.
• Waterproof jacket: a lightweight packable waterproof jacket is a great layer to throw into the backpack because the weather changes quickly in Iceland.
• Water bottle: we love this kids water bottle because our kid can open the straw easily on his own. This is especially helpful on long drives.
• Travel potty: not every sight has a bathroom. We love our Oxo tot travel potty. We can deploy it anywhere for emergency potty breaks and it uses regular plastic bags. And you can use it on top of regular potties to make the potty opening smaller (or keep them from sitting directly on the public toilet).
• Hiking carrier: there are some walks involved to see the sights on this day trip. And they’re definitely not stroller friendly. We love this hip seat carrier with straps (for up to 50 lb) for a smaller alternative to a hiking carrier that’s still comfortable for kids for longer distances.