Nature
Faxi
Region: South IcelandCoordinates: 64.2256° N, 20.3381° W
Faxi, also called Vatnsleysufoss, is a wide, low waterfall on the Tungufljót river a short detour off the Golden Circle route, where the river fans out about 7 m high and 91 m wide over a broad rock ledge. A fish ladder built beside the falls helps migrating salmon reach the river's upper reaches, making the spot popular with anglers as well as sightseers.
Plan the stop
- Who it suits
- All ages
- Suitable for all ages, including a picnic stop for families touring the Golden Circle.
- Allow
- 30 min
Accessibility
- Wheelchair · Partial
- A small car park and a short gravel path lead to an observation platform near the falls, though surfaces are not formally certified as wheelchair accessible.
- Limited mobility · Partial
- The walk from the car park to the viewing platform is short and mostly flat.
- Sensory · Full
- A calm, low-crowd waterfall with a picnic area, generally much quieter than Gullfoss or Geysir nearby.
- Cognitive · Full
- A simple roadside stop with a direct path to the viewing area.
Why it matters
The waterfall's name comes from the Icelandic word for a horse's mane, describing the way its wide, gentle cascade ripples over the rock ledge, and it remains a quieter alternative to Gullfoss for travellers touring the same area.