Svartifoss | TravelDojo

Svartifoss is a waterfall in the Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park in southeast Iceland, renowned for the striking hexagonal basalt columns that frame the fall.

The cascade plunges roughly 20 metres over a cliff of columnar basalt, a formation created as thick lava flows cooled and contracted. The visual contrast of dark basalt columns and white water is the main attraction.

Geologically formed during volcanic activity associated with Iceland’s rift-zone volcanism, the site is part of the larger glacial and volcanic landscape of Vatnajökull National Park.

Svartifoss lies within Skaftafell in southeast Iceland and is reached from the local visitor centre by well-marked footpaths.

Height and geology: The waterfall drops approximately 20 metres and is framed by distinctive dark hexagonal basalt columns formed by cooling lava.
Trail length: Accessible from the Skaftafell visitor area by a marked hiking trail of roughly 1.5 kilometres one-way, suitable for most walkers in summer conditions.

How to Get to Svartifoss #

Svartifoss is in Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park in southeast Iceland. The standard route is to drive along the Ring Road (Route 1) to the Skaftafell/Vatnajökull turnoff and park at the Skaftafell Visitor Centre.

From the visitor centre a marked trail leads to Svartifoss; the hike is about 1.5 km (one way) on a maintained path and is commonly walked in roughly 30-45 minutes each way depending on pace and stops. From Reykjavík the drive along Route 1 is roughly 330 km and takes about 4.5-5 hours in normal conditions.

Tips for Visiting Svartifoss #

Start from the Skaftafell visitor centre and hike to Svartifoss early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak bus crowds from nearby Glacier Lagoon; those hours also give the best directional light on the basalt columns.
Follow the well-marked trail that climbs to the ridge for the classic view of the waterfall and basalt pillars; many visitors only see the lower viewpoint, so continue to the upper platforms for a less crowded perspective.
If you're visiting in high summer, time your trip to avoid the busiest coach arrivals (midday); shoulder seasons reduce crowding but check trail conditions and park information for any seasonal closures.

Best Time to Visit Svartifoss #

Visit in summer for the easiest, snow‑free access to the waterfall; shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds but more variable weather.

Summer

June-August · 5°C to 15°C

Trails are generally snow-free and fully accessible-this is the most straightforward time for hiking to Svartifoss with long daylight hours.

Autumn/Shoulder season

September-October · 0°C to 10°C

Fewer visitors and dramatic colours; trails can become muddy and weather turns changeable, so be prepared for wind and rain.

Winter

November-March · -5°C to 5°C

Cold, short daylight and snow/ice on paths; the route to the waterfall can be icy and requires proper winter gear or guided access.

Weather & Climate near Svartifoss #

Climate

Svartifoss's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 13°C. Abundant rainfall (1626 mm/year), wettest in October, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit

MayJulyJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

15°

Warmest Month

-14°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

29 Poor

Comfort

-1°

Feels Like Freezing

-1°C

Temperature

-3° – 2°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

145 mm

Rainfall

4.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

5.0h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (147 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

30 Poor

Comfort

-1°

Feels Like Freezing

-1°C

Temperature

-3° – 2°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

147 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

0°

Feels Like Cold

0°C

Temperature

-3° – 3°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

136 mm

Rainfall

4.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

11.5h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

2°

Feels Like Cold

2°C

Temperature

-1° – 6°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

104 mm

Rainfall

4.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

14.9h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

3° – 9°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

111 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

18.2h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

5° – 12°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

117 mm

Rainfall

4.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

High

20.4h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

7° – 13°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

109 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

19.3h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (151 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cold

10°C

Temperature

7° – 13°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

151 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

16.1h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (147 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

4° – 10°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

147 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

12.8h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (172 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

1° – 6°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

172 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (144 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

1°

Feels Like Cold

1°C

Temperature

-2° – 3°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

144 mm

Rainfall

4.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

6.0h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

30 Poor

Comfort

-1°

Feels Like Freezing

-1°C

Temperature

-3° – 2°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

143 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

3.6h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Svartifoss

Skaftafell National Park

Glacial national park in southeast Iceland with glaciers

National Park 850 m

Hvannadalshnúkur

Iceland's highest peak atop Vatnajökull glacier

Mountain 14.3 km

Öræfajökull

Ice-cap volcano in southeast Iceland; glacier-covered summit

Mountain 16.3 km

Grænalón

Grænalón glacial lake in south Iceland

Lake 25.7 km

Jökulsárlón

Glacial lagoon dotted with floating icebergs

Lake 30.0 km

Hvítavatn

Glacial lake in southern Iceland

Lake 30.0 km

Grímsvötn

Subglacial Icelandic volcano beneath Vatnajökull ice cap

Mountain 47.3 km

Laki

Icelandic volcanic fissure system, notable 1783 eruption

Volcano 61.5 km