With more than 10 000 waterfalls to choose from here on the island, it’s certainly saying something that Svartifoss Waterfall is so highly revered. One must truly be unique to stand out from the waterfall crowd here in Iceland. And unique, Svartifoss is indeed.
In fact, Svartifoss is so unique that this waterfall has acted as a muse and inspiration to many here on the island, including an architect most known for another famous local attraction. So, if you’ve got an upcoming trip to Iceland, or you just want to learn more about this inspirational natural wonder, read on. What you learn about Svartifoss Falls might surprise you…
Svartifoss Facts: A Short Summary
If you check out some Svartifoss photos, one thing will stand out to you: its black cliff backdrop. That’s why Svartifoss is often referred to as the black falls in Iceland or Svartifoss, the black waterfall. Even the name Svartifoss translates to “black falls”. This black backdrop is actually basalt, the remnants of hardened lava from past eruptions that ran down the cliffs.
Svartifoss is not very wide and has a drop of only 20 meters, but with its black hexagonal background, the waterfall looks more dramatic.
The park in which Svartifoss is located, Skaftafell, was incorporated into the biggest national park on the island in 2008, Vatnajökull National Park.
How was Svartifoss Formed?
As we already mentioned, Svartifoss’s most famous characteristic was created by the volcanic activity here on the island. These hexagonal-shaped basalt rock formations form when hot lava cools down but at a very slow pace. This causes the sediment to crystalize, causing the strange shapes.
Where is Svartifoss in Iceland?
Svartifoss can be found in Skaftafell National Park, now part of the bigger Vatnajökull National Park near the coast in the southeast of Iceland. It is also conveniently located along the Ring Road, so it makes the perfect road trip stop. The nearest town for a day trip to Svartifoss is the town of Vik, which is 141 kilometers away. The capital city of Reykjavik is 327 kilometers away, so we would not recommend attempting a day outing from there.
How to Get to Svartifoss
You essentially have two ways of visiting Svartifoss Waterfall:
Via Guided Tour
We have many tour operators and local guides who can take you to Svartifoss. You can opt for a dedicated Svartifoss tour or a multi-day holiday package that includes Svartifoss as a stop en-route. You can also inquire about a customized private tour.
Via Self-drive
When doing a Ring Road road trip, you’ll need to get onto the Ring Road and drive east. After turning off onto Road 998, you’ll reach the Svartifoss parking lot within just a few minutes.
The Svartifoss Hike
To reach Svartifoss, you will need to go on a short hike. But the hike is considered to be easy and is just 2 kilometers long. It will take you between 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace. For the avid hikers among us, there’s also the option of a longer Svartifoss trail. If you check your Svartifoss trail map, you’ll see that this is an out-and-back trail that starts and ends at the Visitor Center, looping around Svartifoss.
The trail is only slightly longer than its shorter counterpart, clocking in at 3.4 kilometers, but it is a bit more challenging with many steep inclines, so it won’t be suitable for smaller children or the elderly. It’ll also take you between 2 and 3 hours due to the challenging nature of the hike.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Svartifoss Waterfall?
Technically, Svartifoss can be visited all year round, but deciding which time will be best for your visit will depend on your preferences and the type of experience you want to have. To make your decision, you will need to consider the following:
During the warmer months of the year, Svartifoss is a beautiful spectacle as water rushes over the black cliffs into the pool below, surrounded by greenery.
Svartifoss Waterfall in winter looks like it’s frozen in time as long icy tentacles drop from the cliffs to the frozen pool below, surrounded by a landscape draped in a blanket of snow.
Daylight hours vary drastically between the winter and summer seasons, which impacts the time you have available to travel to the falls and the time you’ll be able to spend there. For example, in mid-summer, you’ll have 22+ hours to explore the island, but in mid-winter, you’ll have just 4 hours.
The colder months of the year also impact road conditions and travel time, as weather conditions, as well as ice and snow, can cause delays, sudden road closures, and more.
Summer in Iceland is considered peak season, so you will find a lot more people at our local attractions like Svartifoss.
When is the Best Time of Day to Visit Svartifoss Waterfall?
This will also depend on the time of year you’ve decided to travel to Iceland. If you’ve decided to come during peak season, we recommend that you plan your visit to Svartifoss either early morning or late afternoon. That way, you’ll be able to avoid most of the peak season crowds.
Svartifoss the Muse
As we already mentioned, Svartifoss has inspired many artists here on the island and is also responsible for one of our most popular local attractions. In 1929, Iceland held a design competition. The brief was to design a church for the capital city with specific guidelines. The competition was ultimately won by an architect named Gudjan Samuelsson, who took inspiration from Svartifoss.
If you take a look at what is now known as Hallgrimskirkja, you can clearly see the resemblance of the hexagonal basalt columns that resemble a church organ. But Svartifoss’s start quality has also been showcased internationally. The falls has been featured in the blockbuster movie Batman Begins, as well as the popular series Game of Thrones.
Other Things to See & Do Near Svartifoss Waterfall
If you would like to add a few other attractions and activities in the area to your Svartifoss Waterfall trip itinerary, you should consider the following:
Explore the Blue Ice Cave (the cave is only open during the colder months of the year and can only be explored via guided tour).
Take a boat ride on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
Go hiking (try the Sjonarnipa trail, which is 6.4 km long, or the Bæjarstadarskogur trail, which is 15.8 km long.
Take a dip in the Vök Baths in Egilsstadir.
Check out Skogafoss Waterfall.
Hike the Skaftafell Glacier (this can be done throughout the year, but only via guided tour).
Take a stroll on our famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
Check out Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.
Go eat some delicious seafood at Pakkhus Restaurant in the small fishing village of Hofn.
Where to Stay Near Svartifoss Waterfall
Whether making it a stop along your road trip or just sleeping over after your day trip, there are plenty of accommodation options in the area to choose from. Opt for a more luxurious stay at places like Hotel Skaftafell, or book a comfortable stay with a lower price tag at Guesthouse Skalafell or Hörgsland Cottages. For the most budget-friendly stay (and to get yourself as close to the action as possible), you can book a spot at the Skaftafell Campground.
FAQs
Below are a few answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Svartifoss Waterfall:
What does Svartifoss mean?
Svartifoss translates to “black waterfall”.
How long is the hike to Svartifoss?
It depends on which hiking trail you take. The easy 2-kilometer hike will take between 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace, and the longer and more challenging 3.4-kilometer hike will take between 2 and 3 hours, depending on your pace.
How far is it from Skaftafell Visitor Center to Svartifoss and back?
About 2 kilometers (this is the out-and-back shorter hiking trail).
Is camping at Svartifoss allowed?
The closest you will get to camping near Svartifoss is by camping at the Skaftafell Campground. The campsite sits right next to the Skaftafell Visitor Center, where the trail to Svartifoss Waterfall begins.
What Should I Wear to Svartifoss Waterfall?
Since you’ll be hiking to the fall, you need to wear comfortable outdoor gear. Waterproof hiking boots are especially handy during the spring or rainy days when things can get wet and slippery on the trail.
A raincoat or waterproof clothing and gear is also advisable when visiting any of our waterfalls in Iceland, since they conjure up mist and spray that will end up coming your way with the right breeze.
Is Svartifoss Waterfall wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, Svartifoss Waterfall is not accessible with a wheelchair. Reaching the waterfall requires a hike, and the trail is still fairly primitive (there is no pathway, and it’s narrow, rocky, and steep in places).
Svartifoss Waterfall: Come and Be Inspired
With its unique aesthetic, Svartifoss has inspired many with its beauty. Now, it’s time to see what effect our majestic muse will have on you. Contact us at Travel to Iceland if you have any questions about your trip to Svartifoss or if you would like to find out more about tours with the waterfall as a destination.
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