Öxarárfoss
Waterfall Waterfall in Þingvellir National Park cascading over lava
A short walk inside Þingvellir National Park leads to Öxarárfoss waterfall, where a stream drops over rift-valley rock; it’s a routine stop for geology, photography and accessible walking paths.
Öxarárfoss is a waterfall on the Öxará stream located within Þingvellir National Park in southwestern Iceland. It is a frequently visited natural feature on the popular Golden Circle route.
The falls are accessible by easy paths from the main Þingvellir visitor areas, and viewing points provide close views of the cascade and surrounding rift valley. The site is compact and typically part of a short stop rather than a long hike.
The waterfall sits in the Þingvellir rift valley, an area where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. It lies roughly 40 to 50 kilometres northeast of Reykjavík, within the protected national park landscape.
- Access: Situated inside Þingvellir National Park, it is a common stop on the Golden Circle tourist route and reachable by a short walk from the park carparks.
- Conditions: Flows from the Öxará stream and is visible year-round; winter conditions can create ice formations around the falls.
How to Get to Öxarárfoss #
Öxarárfoss lies inside Þingvellir National Park and is normally reached by road from Reykjavík via Route 36 (Þingvallavegur) as part of the Golden Circle. The drive is roughly 45-50 km east of Reykjavík (about 40-50 minutes). Park in the Þingvellir visitor / parking areas and follow the marked walking paths inside the park - the fall is a short walk from the main parking/visitor area (typically around 5-15 minutes on foot). Many organized Golden Circle tours also stop at Þingvellir and Öxarárfoss.
Tips for Visiting Öxarárfoss #
- Go early morning or late evening to avoid the day-trip coach crowds from Reykjavík-the main walking route to Öxarárfoss is a short, well-marked path from the Þingvellir visitor-centre parking.
- Park at the Þingvellir National Park visitor centre and follow the boardwalked trails and signposts to the waterfall to protect the fragile rift landscape and reach the best viewpoints without detours.
- If you visit in winter, check road and park conditions in advance and allow extra time-winter ice can make the short approach slippery, and coach timetables vary by season.
Best Time to Visit Öxarárfoss #
Visit Öxarárfoss in summer for easiest access and longest daylight; winter offers icy scenery but can be slippery and cold.
Weather & Climate near Öxarárfoss #
Öxarárfoss's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1072 mm/year), wettest in February, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (106 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (106 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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