Goðafoss Waterfall

About Goðafoss Waterfall

Goðafoss, the 'waterfall of the gods', is where the river Skjálfandafljót drops 12 metres over a curved rock edge about 30 metres wide in North Iceland. It sits right beside the Ring Road (Route 1) between Akureyri and Lake Mývatn, which makes it one of the easiest major waterfalls in the country to reach, and it is a regular stop on the Diamond Circle route.

The name comes from the conversion of Iceland to Christianity around the year 1000. According to tradition, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, the lawspeaker who settled the question at the Althing, returned home and threw his carved images of the old Norse gods into the falls. Whether or not it happened here, the story is one of the best known in Icelandic history.

There is parking on both sides of the river, with paved paths leading to viewing platforms. The west side has the shortest walk to the falls, and a pedestrian bridge links the two banks when conditions allow, so you can see both sides without moving the car. Most people spend 30 to 60 minutes here, walking along both banks. Beside the falls is Fosshóll, with a café, souvenir shop and toilets whose opening hours vary by season.

Goðafoss can be visited all year. Summer brings the fullest flow and green surroundings, while winter adds ice and snow along the gorge but also icy, slippery paths, so wear good shoes or spikes and keep back from the edge. Akureyri is about 45 minutes away by car. Entry is free; we could not find a published parking charge, so check the signs on arrival.