GlymurAbout Glymur
Glymur is a tall waterfall in Hvalfjörður in Iceland’s Western Region, known for its steep drop into a narrow gorge and for the hiking route that leads to viewpoints above and near the falls. The waterfall has been a notable natural attraction for hikers and photographers.
Key viewpoints are reached via a marked trail that follows the west side of the river and crosses narrow sections of the gorge; the trail includes steep and exposed parts as well as a rope-assisted crossing in places. The trail provides both near and panoramic views of the waterfall and the surrounding basalt cliffs.
The falls have been widely cited at about 198 meters in total drop, placing them among Iceland’s tallest traditional cascades. The stream that feeds the fall flows through Hvalfjörður and the falls are set within a largely uninhabited, scenic fjord landscape.
Glymur is located in Hvalfjörður roughly 40 kilometers north-northwest of Reykjavík and is commonly visited as a day hike from the capital.
- Trail difficulty and time: The marked trail to the falls is roughly 3-4 hours round trip from the nearest parking area and includes steep sections and a river crossing that can be hazardous in high water or icy conditions.
- Height and viewpoints: Glymur was long cited as Iceland’s tallest or among the tallest waterfalls at about 198 meters in drop; approach and viewpoint offer close-up and distant vistas of the waterfall and the surrounding gorge.
Nearby Attractions to Glymur
Best Time to Visit Glymur
Visit Glymur in summer for long daylight and the safest hiking conditions; winter trails can be icy and are best avoided without experience.
Weather & Climate near Glymur
Glymur's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 12°C. Abundant rainfall (1078 mm/year), wettest in March, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -5° - 0° | -9° | 101 mm | overcast | 94% | 7.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.0h |
| February | Poor | -5° - 0° | -10° | 107 mm | overcast | 94% | 7.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.2h |
| March | Poor | -5° - 0° | -9° | 108 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | -2° - 3° | -6° | 71 mm | overcast | 89% | 7.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.9h |
| May | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 66 mm | overcast | 82% | 6.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 18.2h |
| June | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 67 mm | overcast | 79% | 5.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 20.4h |
| July | Acceptable | 7° - 12° | 7° | 71 mm | overcast | 79% | 5.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 19.3h |
| August | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 6° | 94 mm | overcast | 83% | 5.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 16.1h |
| September | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 86 mm | overcast | 88% | 6.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | 0° - 4° | -3° | 105 mm | overcast | 92% | 6.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| November | Poor | -3° - 2° | -7° | 97 mm | overcast | 94% | 6.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.0h |
| December | Poor | -5° - 0° | -9° | 105 mm | overcast | 95% | 7.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 3.6h |
How to Get to Glymur
Glymur waterfall is in the Hvalfjörður area northwest of Reykjavík. By car the usual route is to follow Route 1 north out of Reykjavík and then turn onto Road 47 into Hvalfjörður; driving time to the trailhead is around 40-60 minutes depending on traffic (roughly 35-50 km). A marked parking area gives access to the trailhead; the hike to the viewpoint is a rugged trail of a few kilometres each way with steep sections and a river crossing, so plan for a couple of hours return.
Tips for Visiting Glymur
- Park at the Glymur trailhead in Hvalfjörður (off Route 47) and start early on weekdays to avoid day‑trippers coming from Reykjavík later in the morning.
- Avoid attempting the river crossing during peak spring melt-water levels rise and the narrow log/rock crossings become hazardous; late summer offers steadier conditions and clearer paths.
- After reaching the main waterfall viewpoint, climb the short, steeper path to the opposite rim for a dramatic canyon perspective that many hikers skip on the return.