NatureInterest 4/5
Svartifoss
Svartifoss, the Black Waterfall, is a 20 m waterfall in Skaftafell where water drops over a dark wall of hexagonal basalt columns. Its compact natural amphitheatre makes it one of Vatnajökull National Park's most photographed short hikes.
Region
South Iceland
Coordinates
64.0275° N, 16.9753° W
Plan the stop
- Who it suits
- 6+
- Good for active children who can manage a few kilometres of uphill and downhill trail; not stroller-friendly.
- Allow
- 2 hrs
- Approach
- 5.5 km · 2 hrs. Approximate round trip from the Skaftafell visitor centre on the standard Svartifoss route. Expect uphill walking, unpaved trail, possible ice in winter, and a short descent toward the main viewpoint.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair · None
- The waterfall is reached by an unpaved uphill hiking trail from Skaftafell, with no wheelchair-accessible route to the falls.
- Limited mobility · Limited
- The hike involves sustained uphill walking, uneven surfaces, and a descent near the falls; benches and shorter partial routes do not reach the main view.
- Sensory · Partial
- Waterfall sound, wet rock, wind, and busy trail traffic can be noticeable, but the route is open-air and easy to pace.
- Cognitive · Partial
- Signed park trails make wayfinding manageable, but visitors must choose the right route and stay off unstable basalt near the base.
Why it matters
The waterfall's basalt columns have influenced Icelandic architecture, most famously the vertical forms of Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík and the National Theatre. As part of Skaftafell, it also sits within a landscape shaped by glacial rivers, eruptions, and the former Skaftafell farm district.