- Best time to visit
- Year-round (winter path may be icy)
- Coordinates
- 63.6178° N, 19.9858° W
- Distance from Reykjavík
- ~120 km (75 mi)
Inside the Canyon at Gljúfrabúi Waterfall
Gljúfrabúi waterfall facts
The name Gljúfrabúi (pronounced roughly 'glyoov-ra-boo-ee') translates from Icelandic as 'canyon dweller' – gljúfur meaning gorge or canyon, and búi meaning inhabitant or dweller. It is an apt name: this 40-metre cascade lives deep inside a narrow basalt canyon, entirely hidden from view unless you know exactly where to look. The waterfall is fed by the Seljalandsá river, the same glacial water source as neighbouring Seljalandsfoss, drawing its flow from the ice fields of Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
Despite being just 500 metres from one of Iceland's most photographed waterfalls, Gljúfrabúi remains relatively unknown to first-time visitors. Most people who stop at Seljalandsfoss never make the short detour north along the cliffside path, which means the canyon rewards those who do with a rare sense of discovery and, more often than not, near-total solitude.
Entering the hidden gorge
To reach the full cascade, you need to wade into the gorge through a narrow opening in the rock face. A shallow stream runs through the entrance – typically ankle to knee-deep, though it can run higher after heavy rain or snowmelt. Once inside, the canyon opens into a dramatic, cathedral-like chamber where the waterfall drops from above in a single powerful plunge, filling the enclosed space with mist and the roar of falling water. Looking up from within the gorge is one of the more memorable views in South Iceland.
Waterproof footwear is essential – sturdy waterproof hiking boots or wellies are ideal. The walls and floor inside the gorge are perpetually wet and the footing can be slippery, so take your time and watch your step. For those who prefer to stay dry, there is a partial view of the waterfall from above the gorge entrance: a short scramble up the rocks to the right of the gap gives a different angle across the top of the falls, though you will not see the full cascade from this position.
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What to know before you visit
Gljúfrabúi is free to visit and there is no separate entrance fee. Parking is shared with Seljalandsfoss at the car park just off Route 1 (the Ring Road), where a small parking fee applies. From the car park, follow the gravel path northward alongside the basalt cliffs for roughly 500 metres. The gorge entrance is not immediately obvious from the path, so look for the narrow crack in the rock face and listen for the sound of the stream running through it.
The waterfall can be visited year-round, but in winter the stream may be partially frozen and the rocks inside the gorge can become treacherous with ice. Summer and early autumn offer the most reliable access and the best water flow. The Hamragarðar campsite sits almost directly beneath the cliffs at Gljúfrabúi and is a popular base for travellers who want to explore both waterfalls at a relaxed pace – there is something quietly special about waking up with a hidden waterfall just outside your tent.
Sights around Gljúfrabúi
Gljúfrabúi and Seljalandsfoss together make a natural opening chapter for a South Coast road trip. A half-hour drive east along Route 1 brings you to Skógafoss – a broad, thundering 60-metre waterfall famous for its double rainbows and the 527-step staircase that climbs its eastern flank to a sweeping viewpoint over the coastal plain. The hidden Kvernufoss waterfall is a short hike from Skógafoss, and the Skógar folk museum at the base of the falls is worth a visit.
Further east, the jet-black sands of Reynisfjara beach and the dramatic sea stacks of Reynisdrangar offer some of the most striking coastal scenery in Iceland, while the small town of Vík í Mýrdal makes a convenient overnight stop. For longer itineraries, guided South Coast tours from Reykjavík regularly combine Gljúfrabúi and Seljalandsfoss with glacier hikes, ice cave visits at Mýrdalsjökull, and the glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón – one of the most rewarding day routes in the country.
