About Glymur Waterfall
Glymur waterfall is a 198-meter waterfall on the Botnsá river at the head of Hvalfjörður in West Iceland, the second-tallest in the country. It falls as a thin white ribbon into a deep, moss-lined canyon, and the only way to see it properly is a steep half-day hike along the rim.
The trail starts at a gravel parking lot at the end of the road in Botnsdalur, about an hour's drive north of Reykjavík via Route 1 and Route 47 around the fjord. The full Glymur waterfall hike is a loop of about 7 kilometers with roughly 400 meters of climbing, and most people need three to four hours. Early on you pass through Þvottahellir, a small cave, then cross the Botnsá on a log with a guide rope before the path climbs to a series of viewpoints facing the falls.
That upper trail is why the hike suits fit, sure-footed walkers. Ground along the canyon edge is loose in places, the drops are sheer and unfenced, and closing the loop means wading the shallow river above the falls. If that sounds like too much, turning back at the cave still gives you a good feel for the Glymur canyon, or you can walk up one side and return the same way.
Summer is the season for Glymur. The log crossing is seasonal, so check its status before you go if you plan the full loop, and skip the hike entirely when there is snow, ice or thawing ground. Bring water, food and a windproof layer, since you'll find no services at the trailhead.
Arrive early on summer weekends to get a parking space, then rest your legs with a soak at Hvammsvík on the southern shore of Hvalfjörður, about 30 minutes back toward Reykjavík. Guided tours from the city can combine the two.
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