Kvernufoss - The waterfall next to Skogafoss

Are you planning your next trip to Iceland? Most probably, your itinerary includes a visit to the famous Skogafoss waterfall. However, did you know that next to Skogafoss there is another super pretty waterfall that does not get very crowded? What if I told you can even walk behind it like the also famous Seljalandsfoss? If you want to know how to get this almost “hidden gem” in Iceland, then keep reading this blog about Kvernufoss – The less visited waterfall next to Skogafoss.

facts about kvernufoss

Here is some interesting information about Kvernufoss.

Kvernufoss is located in the south of Iceland, next to the famous Skogafoss waterfall.
It gets its name because it is located inside the Kvernugil Gorge. Within this gorge, the Kverna river drops for almost 40 meters, creating this beautiful waterfall.
It is one of the few waterfalls in the country where it is possible to walk behind it.

How to get to Kvernufoss

There are no signs that show you the way to Kvernufoss. This makes it a relatively unknown waterfall to many visitors. If you are a little lucky, you might get to enjoy it with nobody else around you.

Getting to Kvernufoss is very easy if you know where to go.

If you are driving from Reykjavik, take the ring road exit on your left towards Skogafoss and follow the directions to the Skogar Museum. There you will park your car at the end of the parking of the Skogar Museum.
Next to the end of the parking, you will see a small trail. If you follow this trail, you will reach a fence with a small ladder that goes over it. This means that this area is private property but the owners allow you to enter it.
After going over the fence, just follow the path for about 10 to 15 minutes and you will reach this beautiful waterfall.

What Equipment Do You Need

The hike from the Skogar Museum to Kvernufoss is only 1,4km (both ways) so you don’t need any special hiking gear to reach this beautiful waterfall. With that in mind, the following things will make your time there easier.

Waterproof jacket and pants. It is possible to walk behind the waterfall so wearing waterproof clothes will prevent you from getting your clothes completely soaked!
Hiking shoes or boots. The path to get behind the waterfall will be very slippery because of the spray the waterfall makes. Wearing shoes with a good grip will protect you from slipping.
Water protection for your camera or phone. This place is so pretty that you will want to take a thousand pictures. If your camera or phone are not water resistant, you might consider getting them some water protection.

Enjoying Kvernufoss

First Glimpse

Our visit to Kvernufoss was fantastic. Approximately 5 to 10 minutes after going over the ladder and walking towards the waterfall, we got our first glimpse of it. The path reached a small elevation with some rocks from where we could see further away the Kvernugil Gorge and the waterfall.

Next to the water

As you get closer to the waterfall, you will reach a division in the path, one end taking you next to the water and the other end, towards the waterfall.

We decided to first take the short deviation to see Kvernufoss next to the water, getting an impressive frontal view of it. It was impressive having this place without anyone around us. We stayed there for a little while just admiring its beauty and peacefulness.

Tip: Next to the river, the stones are wet and it can get slippery. Be careful when you walk next to them.

Behind Kvernufoss

We ended our visit to Kvernufoss Waterfall by walking inside the gorge and walking behind it. From there you can get an amazing view of the water falling, the gorge and the valley outside. This was one of my favorite waterfalls in Iceland.

Recommendation: If you are planning to go behind Kvernufoss, you might want to consider bringing a lens cloth to dry up your camera or phone. It will inevitably get wet from the spray of the water.

Other sites next to Kvernufoss

Visiting Kvernufoss is easy and it will only take you about 1,5 hours of your day. If you don’t know what else can you do in this area, here are some other recommendations of places to visit not very far from Kvernufoss.

Skogafoss waterfall & The Skoga Trail.
Skogar Museum.
Reynisfjara Beach.
Vik i Myrdal Village.

Kvernufoss – The less visited waterfall next to Skogafoss