08-11-2023
With over 10,000 waterfalls across Iceland, what makes Svartifoss so unique we hear you ask? Well, the truth is that Svartifoss is incredibly striking and unique in its own right, making it one of the most visited waterfalls across the country. The iconic black basalt rocks lining Svartifoss Waterfall make for unforgettable views and awe-inspiring photos.
So, where exactly is Svartifoss and how exactly do you get there? What’s the best time to visit and how long does it take to walk the Svartifoss hiking trail? We’ll answer all these frequently asked questions and more in our complete guide to Iceland’s incredible Svartifoss Waterfall. Let’s go!
Truly one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Iceland, Svartifoss is situated in Skaftafell Nature Reserve in South Iceland, which sits within the larger Vatnajokull National Park. Also known by its nickname, the Black Waterfall of Iceland, the name ‘Svartifoss’ literally means ‘black waterfall’ in Icelandic.
This cascading waterfall is surrounded by towering black basalt rock columns, creating a spectacular panorama including the dramatic cliffs, volcanic rocks, nearby greenery and tumbling water. Witnessing Svartifoss for yourself is truly an otherworldly experience, with the sheer beauty of the falls and its surrounding landscape sure to take your breath away!
Svartifoss, Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Vatnajokull National Park are all free to visit, although you may need to pay a fee for using the parking lot.
So, how exactly did the impressive Svartifoss come to be? The volcanic activity across Iceland is to thank for the awe-inspiring structure of basalt rocks lining these falls.
When boiling lava flows spread across the land to meet the cold air, ground and water, a cooling down process started to take place. As these ancient lava flows cooled very slowly, they started to crystallize.
Through this cooling process, the molten rock itself became crystallized into the magnificent black basalt columns we can see today. Their iconic hexagonal shape comes from the fact that basalt tends to naturally crystallize into hexagonal columns – wow!
The dramatic, cascading structure of the Svartifoss basalt columns are actually said to have inspired Icelandic architect, Gudjon Samuelsson, when designing one of the most famous landmarks in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík: Hallgrimskirkja Church.
Despite being one of Iceland’s most popular waterfalls, Svartifoss isn’t particularly high. Standing at 20 meters tall, or around 66 feet, Svartifoss’ height isn’t what makes this waterfall so unique and striking. It is, of course, Svartifoss’ amazing black basalt rock columns that draw visitors from all around the island to this waterfall.
You can visit Svartifoss Waterfall at any time of year, depending on when you’re planning to come to Iceland. The best time to visit Svartifoss depends on your preferences, although the most popular time to take a trip to Svartifoss is during the summer months.
In summer, you can take the Svartifoss trail with minimal problems, as the weather is much more likely to be warm, mild and favorable, plus daylight hours are longer, giving you more time to enjoy the views at Svartifoss.
Keep in mind that the weather in Iceland can be changeable no matter the season, so we do recommend checking the Icelandic weather forecast before heading out on your trip to Svartifoss.
During the colder months, Svartifoss is a true winter wonderland, with incredible icicles and a blanket of snow covering the surrounding landscape. You’ll just need to make sure to wrap up extra warm to protect yourself from the cold and plan your visit ahead of time, so you can hike to Svartifoss and back in plenty of time before the sun sets.
Svartifoss is 4 hours away from Reykjavík by car. To get to Svartifoss from Reykjavík, you’ll need to take the main Ring Road in Iceland (Route 1). This paved road is easy to drive on and well-signposted, plus the scenery along the way is truly breathtaking!
If you’re planning to do an Iceland South Coast tour, you might stop off at the charming village of Vik first to visit its incredible black sand beaches. From Vik, you can reach Svartifoss in just 1 hour and 40 minutes, making this the perfect pit stop for your South Coast road trip.
From the incredible Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, which is another must-visit natural wonder in this area of Iceland, you can reach Svartifoss in just 45 minutes by car – perfect!
If you’re planning to take the Svartifoss hike, you’ll reach the famous Svartifoss Waterfall after walking for 1.5 kilometers from the parking lot. This hiking route is fairly easy and doesn’t require any special hiking skills or training. We just recommend wearing sturdy walking shoes to protect your feet and make the hike as comfortable as possible.
Skaftafell Visitor Center is the place where most visitors start their hike to Svartifoss, which you can easily reach by turning off the main Icelandic Ring Road and taking Road 998 for 3 minutes.
You might be wondering how much time you’ll need to carve out of your Iceland itinerary to enjoy the wonderful views at Svartifoss. Generally, taking the Svartifoss trail from the parking lot and back takes around 1.5 hours, although you’ll also want to factor in some time to soak in the incredible falls, basalt columns and beautiful landscape.
We recommend factoring in around 20-30 minutes to enjoy the views at Svartifoss, meaning 2 hours is enough to visit this unique waterfall.
Want to see the impressive basalt rock columns and cascading waters of Iceland’s Black Waterfall for yourself? You can visit Svartifoss as an outstanding stop during your epic Iceland road trip all around the island, or just along the famous Southern Coast.
To get started planning your dream Iceland vacation, allow us to help you out with our range of affordable and reliable rental cars in Iceland. Renting a car with us will take the stress out of planning and traveling, enabling you to venture to wherever on our magical island your heart desires.
With a car, you can travel on your own time and visit exactly where you want, whenever you want. Sounds good, right? We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful country soon to begin your very own incredible Iceland adventure!