The 5 Most Spectacular Waterfalls Near Reykjavík
When travelling around Iceland, the word foss doesn’t go unnoticed on road signs.
They are everywhere but if time is limited, it’s best to stay near Reykjavík to catch some of the more lesser known but just as spectacular waterfalls of Iceland.
There’s something magical about hearing rushing water echo through mossy canyons while the city is still a dot in the rear-view mirror.
You don’t have to go far from Reykjavík to find waterfalls. Some are tucked inside sleepy valleys, others practically sneak up on you while you’re still within city limits.
And the best part? You can see several of them in just one day, and still make it back in time for a sunset soak at Hvammsvík Hot Springs.
Let’s take a look at some of the most underrated (and refreshingly accessible) waterfalls near Iceland’s quirky capital.
Shortcuts:
Kermóafoss: Reykjavík’s Hidden Waterfall
Helgufoss: A Waterfall Worth the Wiggle in Your GPS
Þórufoss: Game of Thrones Vibes, No Crowds
Glymur: For When You Want to Earn It
Tröllafoss in Mosfellsdalur: For the Quiet Seekers
Kermóafoss: Reykjavík’s Hidden Waterfall
There is a waterfall within Reykjavík. More than one, actually.
Tucked away in the forested valley of Elliðaárdalur—a favorite haunt for joggers, birdwatchers, and folks walking off their third cinnamon bun from Brauð & Co—Rjúkandi isn’t flashy. It doesn’t thunder or spray. It murmurs.
This little waterfall is part of the Elliðaár twin river system that winds through one of Reykjavík’s most peaceful green spaces.
There are bike paths, salmon in the river, and dense trees that block the city noise just enough to make you forget you’re only ten minutes from downtown. It’s the place where locals go to breathe.
You won’t need hiking boots, just a sense of curiosity and maybe a coffee in hand.
Helgufoss: A Waterfall Worth the Wiggle in Your GPS
About 25 minutes from Reykjavík, just outside the suburban town of Mosfellsbær, Helgufoss waits. And while it’s not trying to win any awards for height or volume, it delivers something better: calm. Stillness. A brush with old Norse quiet.
The walk to Helgufoss is short and sweet—a narrow trail lined with brush. You hear the water before you see it, and then suddenly it’s there, tumbling over rock like it’s been doing this forever (it has).
During wintertime, it freezes into a sculpture. In summer, it glitters through the green. Either way, it feels like a reward.
Þórufoss: Game of Thrones Vibes, No Crowds
Let’s go a little further east now, toward Route 48, where Þórufoss plunges into a rugged gorge. It’s wide, elegant and best of all, it’s usually empty.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, it might ring a bell—it played a brief but dramatic role in the show. But if not, Þórufoss is worth the short detour.
There’s something cinematic about the way the water stretches across the cliff, pouring evenly like icing down the side of a layer cake (a really dramatic, moss-covered layer cake).
You can drive right up close, park your car, and walk a few steps to the edge. Just don’t expect souvenir stands or marked trails—it’s you, the falls, and the wind.
Glymur: For When You Want to Earn It
If the name Glymur rings a bell, it should. At nearly 200 meters, it’s the second-tallest waterfall in Iceland and the hike makes you work for the view.
The trail is about an hour from Reykjavík, at the deep end of Hvalfjörður. But don’t let that throw you. The drive itself is a highlight: winding fjord roads, deep blue water, and cliffs that catch the light like old stone stage sets.
The Glymur Waterfall hike – about the hike… It’s not a walk in the park. There are caves that you hike through, a log to cross the river and steep sections that might make you wonder if you should’ve stretched more.
But when you reach the top and Glymur appears—a ribbon of silver falling into a deep canyon that looks like it cracked open just yesterday.
It’s not just a waterfall. It’s a memory in the making.
Tröllafoss in Mosfellsdalur: For the Quiet Seekers
Tröllafoss lies quietly near Mosfellsdalur, and even some locals don’t know it’s there. The name of the waterfall translates as Troll Waterfall
It’s surrounded by grassy fields and a few scattered birch trees. If you’re looking for drama, this isn’t it. But if your soul needs a little softening, a place where you can hear your own footsteps, this one’s a balm.
Bring a sandwich, sit on a rock, and let the sound of falling water do what it’s done for centuries: soothe.
Soak It All In: Hvammsvík Hot Springs
Here’s the thing about chasing waterfalls—even the short hikes can add up. Knees creak, calves twinge, and your windblown face starts begging for warmth.
That’s when Hvammsvík steps in.
Located right on the edge of the Atlantic in Hvalfjörður, these geothermal pools feel like they are from a folk tale. Pools carved into lava rock, waves lapping just beyond the edge, steam rising. And then there’s the view: open sea, misty mountains, and that long, slow Icelandic twilight.
It’s not flashy or crowded. It’s curated simplicity—like Iceland itself. You can grab a local beer, lean back, and watch the sky do its thing. If you’re lucky, a curious seal might pop up from the sea next to the hot springs.
It’s the perfect way to end a waterfall day: warm, quiet, and deeply, deeply satisfying.
A Few Final Tips Before You Go
- Footwear matters: Even for short walks, Icelandic terrain can surprise you. Waterproof boots with decent grip? Worth it.
- Weather swings fast: Layer up. Always. Even if it’s sunny.
- Snacks and water: There are no vending machines in the wilderness.
- Respect the land: Stick to marked paths when they exist, and leave no trace.
Closing Thoughts
It’s easy to assume you have to travel deep into Iceland’s interior to find its magic. But the truth? Some of the country’s most soul-stirring spots are right there, brushing shoulders with Reykjavík’s suburbs, waiting by the side of the road, or hiding behind a clump of birch trees.
You don’t need a 4×4 or a glacier guide. Just a good playlist, a thermos of coffee, and a little time to wander.
Waterfalls don’t shout for attention here. They whisper. And if you listen closely, they might just tell you something.