Kvernufoss Waterfall, Iceland: Top Tips for Visiting
Are you planning on visiting Kvernufoss waterfall in Iceland? This hidden gem is our favourite waterfall in the country and these are all of our top tips for visiting.
Kvernufoss is stunning. There’s literally no denying it. It’s such a hidden gem and one of the prettiest waterfalls in Iceland. On top of that, you can walk behind it and you have to walk through a beautiful canyon to visit it in the first place!
We missed Kvernufoss during our first visit to Iceland, but managed to see it the second time around. I was so glad we added it to our itinerary because it ended up being my favourite waterfall on the trip.
So, if you love hidden gems and beautiful destinations, here are all of our top tips for visiting the stunning Kvernufoss waterfall.
Where is Kvernufoss Waterfall?
Kvernufoss is located along the south coast of Iceland. It’s actually just a 5-minute drive from the famous Skogafoss waterfall but it’s much less known.
Most people who visit Iceland will explore the south coast at some point. This is a fantastic spot to add to your itinerary if you’re driving between Reykjavik and Vik. It will give you all the beauty of Iceland with fewer crowds.
How to get to Kvernufoss
Since Kvernufoss is located just off the ring road in the south, it’s fairly easy to get to. The main road is very well maintained all year round and you’ll likely find it in good driving condition.
How to get there by rental car
This was how we reached Kvernufoss waterfall. We hired a car and did a road trip around south Iceland, the west, and the Golden Circle. Out of all the places we drove in Iceland, the south was by far the easiest.
In general, the climate here is much more stable than in the north because of the influence of the Gulf Stream, so roads tend to be in good condition. We found the driving conditions to Kvernufoss very easy.
The route took us just off the ring road by about 2 minutes. The parking is in the Skogar Museum car park and is chargeable.
It cost us 700 ISK for a minivan (there were 6 of us) or 500 ISK for a normal car. This works out to around £2.87 or $3.58, which is cheaper than other car parks along the south (Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is double this!) and it is well worth it for what you get.
From the car park, you can see the trailhead.
🚗 We only ever use this car hire company as they have a great range of cars and always have the best prices.
How to get there by public transport
You can also reach Kvernufoss via public transport from Reykjavik. There’s a bus that goes from Ráðhúsið in the city centre to Mjódd, then you can change to another bus which will take you to Skogar. From there, it’s around a 30-minute walk to the trailhead.
However, the bus is quite a long one. It takes around 3 hours because of all the stops (24 in total!!), and you’ve then got a 30-minute walk on top of that to reach the falls. So, it’s possible to get there via public transport, but it’s pretty long-winded!
The Kvernufoss Waterfall hike
Once you’ve arrived at the trailhead, you’ll be able to begin the short hike to the falls. You used to have to climb over a small metal ladder and a fence to start the hike, but they’ve since removed it and made the trail much more accessible.
You’ll be able to see a sign for the walk from the Skogar Museum car park.
From there, you simply follow the path. The trail is very well-maintained, easy to follow, and mostly flat, so it’s suitable for everyone. It’s not very interesting, however, until you reach the river.
Then, the hike takes you through a gorge and along the river. The walls will slowly get steeper and steeper on either side of you and it also gets steadily more beautiful.
The entire walk only takes around 15-20 minutes one way. As the trail gets further through the gorge, the path gets a little narrower, however, you’ll be following the river the entire time.
There are also small sections where smaller paths veer off the main route closer to the river. I really enjoyed exploring these as you can find little crevices on the cliffs and stand on boulders overlooking the river. The views from some of them are great too!
Once you reach the waterfall
Once you eventually reach the waterfall, the views are very impressive. Kvernufoss cascades about 30 metres over the cliff top into a pool below. The path also curves around and you can see the route where you can walk behind it.
In the winter months, this can get super icy and slippery so you may want to bring crampons. We visited in March and it was covered in ice and some sections were quite hard to walk on.
You can’t walk the whole way around the falls like you can with Seljalandsfoss, though. You can only get about halfway round before you have to turn back the way you came.
However, it’s well worth going behind the waterfall because the views are spectacular. You can see all the way back down the valley, and the way the waterfall reflects the sun is stunning.
You can also climb a small hill opposite for higher-up views of the beautiful waterfall.
Once you’ve finished admiring Kvernufoss, simply retrace your steps back along the trail to the car park.
Practical Tips for Visiting Kvernufoss Waterfall
Here are a few of our top tips for visiting this majestic waterfall;
- Wear sturdy shoes: Kvernufoss is accessed via a short hiking trail, so I recommend comfortable and sturdy footwear suitable for walking on uneven terrain. In winter, you may also want to bring crampons as the trail can be icy.
- Be careful behind the waterfall: One of the highlights of visiting Kvernufoss is walking behind the waterfall. However, you’ll need to be prepared to navigate rocky and potentially slippery terrain and be careful when crossing streams or wet areas.
- Bring waterproofs: Like most of Iceland, the weather can be unpredictable. Check the forecasts before setting out (use the Vedur app), be prepared for weather changes, and wear your waterproofs to stay warm and dry. The spray from behind the waterfall can also end up soaking through your clothes – another reason to wear your waterproofs!
- Leave No Trace: Practice Leave No Trace by taking any rubbish with you, leaving behind nothing but footprints, and avoiding unnecessary disturbance to the natural environment.
- Timing Your Visit: Despite being much more of a hidden gem in Iceland than the neighbouring Skogafoss, you still might encounter others on the trail to Kvernufoss. If you want the place to yourself, I recommend arriving early in the day or during weekdays to avoid crowds and have a more peaceful experience.
👉 Check out our full guide to the best month to visit Iceland for all our tips!
Where to Stay Near Kvernufoss
There are quite a few gorgeous places to stay along the south coast. A stay near Kvernufoss will also put you within easy reach of Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and the famous Waterfall Way hike, which is a great one for summer.
Here are a few of my favourite places to stay near Kvernufoss:
LUXURY ADVENTURE HOTEL
With a private black sand beach and huge rooms, this hotel is just a 15-minute drive from Kvernufoss.
AFFORDABLE LUXURY HOTEL
This hotel has spacious rooms, an on-site restaurant, and is walking distance from the waterfall.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY HOTEL
For an affordable stay, this hotel is perfect. It’s located just 4km from Kvernufoss, so very easy to reach.
👉 For more of our top recommendations, here are our favourite hotels along the south coast of Iceland.
FAQ
What facilities are there at Kvernufoss Waterfall?
The waterfall itself doesn’t have any facilities; however, there are toilets in the Skogar Museum along with a small cafe.
Where do you park to visit Kvernufoss?
To visit Kvernufoss, you have to park at the Skogar Museum car park as the waterfall itself doesn’t have dedicated parking. The trailhead for the waterfall is also in the car park, though, so it’s very easy to reach.
How much time do you need to visit Kvernufoss?
I’d recommend allowing yourself at least an hour, but maybe an hour and a half to visit Kvernufoss. The hike there can take up to 20 minutes each way, and then you’ll need time to walk behind the falls and take a lot of photos.
Can you get to Kvernufoss via a guided tour?
Most tours of the south coast of Iceland don’t include Kvernufoss in their Iceland itineraries. This is, in a way, a good thing, as it keeps the waterfall off the typical tourist trail, and you don’t get the hordes of tour groups like you do at Skogafoss waterfall.
Nonetheless, if you want to go on a tour, there are a few that offer a trip to Kvernufoss, like this one.
How long is the walk to Kvernufoss?
The walk to Kvernufoss takes around 15-20 minutes one way from the car park. It’s along a well-maintained path and an easy walk with beautiful scenery.
Is Visiting Kvernufoss Waterfall Worth it?
Yes, visiting Kvernufoss is 100% worth it. This quickly became one of my favourite places to visit in Iceland and is definitely my favourite waterfall along the south coast.
The combination of the fact that you can walk behind the falls, the stunning views, the beautiful trail along the river to reach the waterfall, and the fact that there are much fewer crowds than other south coast spots makes it such a special place.
Plus, you can go here all year round, so it doesn’t matter what time of year you visit Iceland.
So, if you’re planning to visit Iceland, I highly recommend adding this spot to your itinerary. You won’t regret it!
👉 Planning on visiting South Iceland? Check out the best hotels on the south coast.
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