Rent our beautifully situated vacation home Hamragil and discover the most spectacular waterfalls of the north
Iceland’s most famous tourist attractions can be found along the Golden Circle and on the south coast of Iceland. These include the Thingvellir National Park, the Haukadalur high temperature area with the world-famous Geysir, and the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall. Accordingly, many tourists from all over the world visit these destinations in the south of Iceland. Due to their proximity to Keflavik International Airport, these attractions are easily accessible.
The north of Iceland has numerous natural attractions as well, which are far less crowded. In this article I would like to introduce three of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls, all of which are easily accessible from our vacation home Hamragil located between town Akureyri and lake Myvatn in the north of Iceland.
Goðafoss (Godafoss) or also “Gods waterfall”
Goðafoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. According to legend, the Gode Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði Þorkelsson threw the last remaining pagan images of gods into the Goðafoss around the year 1000 AD as a sign of the adoption of Christianity as a state religion. You can reach Goðafoss from our holiday home Hamragil by car in only 15 minutes driving time. The waterfall is located a little east of our vacation home Hamragil, near the beginning of the Sprengisandur highland road.
Aldeyjarfoss in the Icelandic highlands
Aldeyjarfoss is much less known and therefore less visited. Its location at the northern end of the Sprengisandur Highland Route requires a few kilometers drive on a gravel road. As a rule, Aldeyjarfoss can also be easily reached by normal vehicles. From holiday home Hamragil take the same route as to Goðafoss. Along ring road number 1 to the east, then turn right onto Sprengisandur highland route. At the last farm in the valley, a couple of kilometers from the waterfall, the normal road ends and the highland trail takes over. In winter, access to the waterfall may not be possible and a short hike may be necessary.
Dettifoss – the most powerful waterfall in Europe
Dettifoss in the northeast of Iceland is considered to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Performance is defined by volume flow and drop. On average, the water masses of the Dettifoss generate an output of about 85 megawatts that puts it just before the Rhine Falls.
At Dettifoss, the water of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river plunges down over 45 metres. About 1 km above Dettifoss, the Selfoss waterfall is worth a visit. 2 km below Dettifoss is another attractive waterfall, Hafragilsfoss.
Dettifoss is accessible from two sides. The west side of Dettifoss can be easily reached via an asphalted road (862 – Dettifossvegur) coming from the south. In winter the access from the west side is usually also possible. At the eastern side is a rugged gravel road (864 – Hólsfjallavegur) leading from north to south (or vice versa). This route is not passable in winter. Both sides have their charm, but the view from the east side (see photo) is even more spectacular.
