Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods, is one of the easiest big waterfalls to visit in the north. The river Skjálfandafljót pours about 12 m over a curved ledge around 30 m wide, split into several streams by rocks in the middle.
Legend says the lawspeaker Þorgeir threw his statues of the old gods into the falls after Iceland adopted Christianity around the year 1000. Historians think the story is much later, but the name stuck.
Getting there
Goðafoss sits on Route 1, about 45 minutes east of Akureyri. There are car parks on both sides of the river with paved paths to viewing platforms. The service station at Fosshóll, on the east bank, has a café and toilets.
When to go
All year, though winter storms can close Route 1 for a time. Summer brings full flow and long evenings; winter brings ice around the falls and fewer people.
Good to know
- Walk both banks: the east side gets you closer, the west side shows the full horseshoe.
- From the east bank, a short path leads down close to the water for a different angle.
- Stay behind the ropes; the rock by the river is slippery and the current is fast.
Sources: Goðafoss, Wikipedia, Waterfalls, North Iceland, Goðafoss, World Waterfall Database, Goðafoss, Arctic Adventures. Facts checked October 2026.
Drive times are approximate and depend on weather and road conditions. Check road.is and vedur.is before you set off.
