Dynjandi

About Dynjandi

Dynjandi waterfall is the largest waterfall in the Westfjords, a stepped fall at the head of Arnarfjörður that drops about 100 meters down the cliff like a bridal veil. The main fall widens from roughly 30 meters at the top to about 60 meters at its base, and its name, the thundering one, makes sense once you stand at the bottom.

Below the main fall, the river Dynjandisá tumbles down a chain of smaller falls on its way to the sea, among them Hundafoss and Göngumannafoss. A path climbs from the parking lot past each one to the foot of Dynjandi, and the walk up takes about 15 minutes. Plan on 45 minutes to an hour with stops, and wear proper shoes, since the path is uneven and steep in places.

Dynjandi and the falls below it have been a protected natural monument since 1981, so stay on the marked path. The Environment Agency charges a parking fee per car, which was 750 ISK for a standard passenger car in 2024, and the money goes toward upkeep of the site.

Route 60 brings you to the waterfall, crossing the Dynjandisheiði heath to the south. From Ísafjörður, the drive through the Dýrafjörður tunnel takes about an hour and a quarter, and from Reykjavík it is a long day of roughly six hours. The tunnel, opened in 2020, made winter visits more practical, but the mountain road can still close in snow or storms, so check the official road-conditions map and weather warnings before you set out.

June to August is the easiest time to see Dynjandi waterfall, with long days, open roads and the most water after the snowmelt. Come early in the morning or in the evening, when the tour buses and cruise excursions have usually thinned out.