The Glymur Waterfall Hike
The Glymur Waterfall Hike is one of the most rewarding hiking routes near Reykjavík. Located in the scenic Whale Fjord, it’s a must for anyone who enjoys a challenge. The round trip takes about 3–4 hours and is considered moderate, though the trail can be steep and narrow in places. Reaching the waterfall makes every step worth it… at 198 meters, Glymur is Iceland’s second-highest waterfall, and Hvalvatn where the waterfall drops down to is the third deepest lake in Iceland, with a depth of 160 meters.
The Glymur Waterfall hike is very well known to Icelanders who consider it as one of the top attractions near Reykjavik.
There are numerous other great hikes in Hvalfjörður but Glymur is the best known and the most popular one. There is also history here as a well known folklore is tied to Glymur Waterfall. It has all the best elements of Icelandic folklore, elves, magic and monster whales!
Difficulty
Moderate in difficulty, but near impossible during the winter months…
How far away is it?
Glymur is around 60-70 minutes away from Reykjavik city center but only 20 minutes away from Hvammsvik Hot Springs and Nature Resort.
How long is the hike?
The hike is around 4 kilometers long.
How long does it take to hike up to Glymur Waterfall
It takes around 3-4 hours to hike up to Glymur Waterfall. We recommend packing up water and snacks and taking short breaks and enjoying the views while making your way to the waterfall.
When is the best time to hike Glymur
The best time of year to visit the tallest waterfall in Iceland, Glymur, is from June through September.
Is the hike worth it?
Yes, most definitely, it offers one of the most spectacular surroundings in Iceland.
What should I bring with me?
We recommend sturdy hiking shoes, and if you’d like a little extra balance, a hiking stick can be helpful. Don’t forget to bring some water and snacks to enjoy along the way.
Shortcuts:
How to get to Glymur Waterfall Parking from Reykjavík?
To get to the hike to Glymur Waterfall you will need to drive out of Reykjavik onto Route 1 heading north to Borgarnes. Shortly before you reach the Hvalfjörður tunnel there will be an exit to your right leading into Hvalfjörður (Route 47).
Alternatively you can take Route 36 from Mosfellsbaer, which takes you in the direction of Thingvellir and make a left onto Route 48 (Kjosarskardsvegur) which also happens to be the best and safest way to reach Hvalfjörður by bike.
It takes you a similar amount of time to drive either rout. And both are equally breathtaking in their own way. If you choose one to to Glymur, make sure to take the other one back.
Follow the Hvalfjörður Road (Route 47) to the bottom of the fjord. There you will make a right turn onto the Glymur access road.
Follow the road for about 3 kilometers and you’ll find a small parking space. The full drive from Reykjavik takes only 60-70 minutes. Here is where your hike to Glymur starts.
Here’s the route to Glymur Waterfalls Parking on Google Maps.
The Weather Forecast for Glymur Waterfall
Check the weather forecast before you leave as the weather in Iceland is infamous for changing quickly.
Check the weather forecast for Glymur both the day before and before you depart. Below you will find an hourly forecast for the next two days.
Bookmark this page so you can check on the weather before your hike.
The Hike to Glymur Waterfall
Before embarking on any hike in Iceland a little word of advice: Please prepare wisely and bring layers of warm and waterproof clothing and sensible shoes.
During the hike, be aware of your surroundings, especially if the trail is wet and slippery.
Now, with that out of the way let’s move on!
From the parking space the hiking trail to Glymur is easy to spot. It is a beautiful hike with great views in all directions. Glymur Waterfall is one of those waterfalls that you have to work for if you want to see it, but is well worth the effort as it falls 190 meters down a steep cliff into the Glymur Canyon.
On your hike to Glymur waterfall you will need to cross the Botnsá River twice.
The first crossing is at the very beginning of the hike. From June to September it is easy to get over with dry feet due to a log and wire that are put there to help hikers.
The second crossing is above the waterfall and does not have stepping stones so you’ll need either waterproof hiking boots or to take off your shoes and get your feet wet. If neither option appeals to you, you can always just turn around and take the same path down, we won’t judge!
Glymur Waterfall Hike Map
Below is an overview map of the hike to Glymur. Make sure to follow the path and be careful on your way to Glymur Waterfall.
The blue path shows the best way to get to Glymur and the white path shows the suggested way back but you can also head back the way you came. The orange path is a bit longer but gives you a nice hike in Brynjudalur.
Things You Shouldn't Miss on the Hike to Glymur
For the full experience, you should not miss these things on your hike to and from the Glymur Waterfall.
Abandoned Farms in Hvalfjörður
There is a fork in the path, right when you are leaving the parking lot, towards Glymur. You can make a quick detour by taking the path to the right and walk for a couple of minutes. Then you should come across two abandoned farm houses.
You can walk past them on your way to Glymur but it will increase the length of the hike so it’s best to head back to the parking lot and follow the Glymur path from there. Or save them like a treat for your return to the parking lot after the hike.
Þvottahellir Cave
To enter the Glymur Canyon, you will pass through a cave called Þvottahellir. Its literal translation is Wash-cave. The story behind the name is that during wet weather, people would wash their dirty laundry inside the cave and hang it up there to dry.
Snack on Wild Icelandic Berries
During the hike, you will encounter wild berry shrubs while you are on the trail to Glymur. Ripe from the end of July / early August, Icelandic berries make a great trail snack and are full of nutrients.
You will most likely find Crowberries but if the elements have been kind during the summer, you will also encounter the Icelandic Blueberry, more commonly known as Bilberry.
Pro tip: bring along a small carton of Icelandic cream, pure skyr and some sugar. Pour berries on top of the skyr, pour some cream over and sprinkle liberally with sugar. Have a spoonful, rinse and repeat until you are out of skyr. If you have some leftover cream, repeat the process without the skyr until you run out of cream.
Worth the Extra Effort: Breiðifoss
Once you have found Glymur, you can continue up river, until you reach another waterfall, Breiðifoss.
It’s an half hour hike from Glymur to Breiðifoss, adding an hour total to your Glymur hike but it’s going to be worth the effort.
Hike and Hot Springs Near Reykjavik
Once you’ve hiked up to the Glymur Waterfall and enjoyed the beautiful views of Hvalfjörður it is time to head back down and reward yourself with a nice hot soak in the Hvammsvik Hot Springs.
As any nature-loving Icelander would tell you, there is nothing that beats the feeling of relaxing in hot geothermal water after a great hike.
