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Kvernufoss is likely one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland — in reality, it’s my private favourite waterfall in Iceland! This 30-meter waterfall is completely beautiful, with a singular cave behind it, and it’s conveniently situated alongside “waterfall alley” in one of many busiest elements of South Iceland.
But Even so, Kvernufoss is one thing of a hidden waterfall and doesn’t get almost as many guests as its neighbors. Right here you possibly can have an ethereal, calm expertise with out the pulsating crowds from tour buses.
After visiting greater than 25 waterfalls on my highway journey across the Ring Street in Iceland, Kvernufoss is my favourite. It takes lots to take that high spot when you think about all of the competitors.
Let me share with you every thing that makes Kvernufoss superb — as a result of I actually love this place! It’s no doubt a hidden gem of Iceland.
What Makes Kvernufoss Particular?
In all probability essentially the most particular factor about Kvernufoss Waterfall is that you would be able to stroll behind it! There’s a strolling path main you across the aspect of the waterfall, getting you fairly moist within the course of, and it takes you to a surprisingly giant cave behind the falling water.
My different favourite factor about Kvernufoss is that it isn’t almost as crowded as different standard waterfalls on the South Coast of Iceland. I visited the waterfall with my pal Amanda, and we noticed perhaps round 30 folks altogether on the mountain climbing path and on the falls. We even acquired the cave behind the waterfall to ourselves for 10 minutes, which was superb for images!
Kvernufoss is a world away from Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, two of the preferred waterfalls within the nation. You need to shuffle by means of a protracted line to stroll behind Seljalandsfoss; Skógafoss’s car parking zone is filled with buses.
However bus excursions don’t come to Kvernufoss, so it’s spared the worst of Iceland’s mass tourism. Why don’t they arrive right here when Skógafoss is subsequent door? I’m unsure, however I feel one motive is that the hike is 20 minutes every method (bus excursions prefer to go locations they will get out and in shortly), and one other is that you should climb a stile (a little bit ladder that goes over a fence).
For the file, I discover that the one greatest solution to get pleasure from much less crowded locations in Iceland is to easily go the place buses don’t go. Fjallsarlon, Tröllaskagi, Gluggafoss, and Kolugljúfur Canyon are 4 of these. Add Kvernufoss to that listing!
And at last, Kvernufoss is a very stunning waterfall. A brief hike leads you to a mossy gorge, the canyon full of mist and coated with lush greenery, the water falling in mild streaks. In the event you’re fortunate, you’ll get to see a rainbow.
Between the plush magnificence and the off-the-beaten-path really feel, Kvernufoss is a winner. I beloved it a lot!
Sure, buses cease in Skógar on the campsite, which is a 1.8 km or 20-minute stroll from the Kvernufoss trailhead.
Kvernufoss is proper off the Ring Street, subsequent to the Skógar Museum and simply east of the well-known waterfall Skógafoss.
Kvernufoss is free to go to, however parking prices 500 ISK ($3.50 USD), which you pay on-line by means of the Parka app.
Visiting Kvernufoss requires climbing a stile over a fence, which sadly retains it inaccessible to many. When you have mobility challenges, I like to recommend visiting close by Skógafoss waterfall as a substitute, which has a flat pathway from the car parking zone.
Sure, there’s a toilet within the Skógar Museum, which is subsequent to the Kvernufoss car parking zone. It’s free if you happen to pay for parking. That is the one spot for trash cans, too.
How you can Get to Kvernufoss Waterfall
You will get to Kvernufoss 3 ways: driving, taking public transportation, or taking a guided tour from Reykjavík.
How you can get to Kvernufoss by driving: The trailhead to Kvernufoss is subsequent to the Skógar Museum; proper off the Ring Street. There’s a parking space particularly for Kvernufoss that fees 500 ISK ($3.50 USD) for parking, which you’ll be able to pay through Parka.is or the Parka app.
I strongly advocate downloading the Parka app earlier than your journey, as Parka.is is a buggy website on cellular. If you choose English, they mechanically ship you again to the location’s homepage, making you go round in circles.
How you can get to Kvernufoss by public transportation: There’s a bus from Reykjavík to Skógar that stops at Skógar Campsite, simply off the principle highway and near Skógafoss waterfall. From right here it’s strolling distance to the Kvernufoss trailhead: 1.8 km, or a few 20-minute stroll.
How you can take a day tour to Kvernufoss from Reykjavík: Lastly, is it attainable to see Kvernufoss on a day tour from Reykjavík? Sure! I may discover just one tour that does it — however you see six waterfalls in a single day on this tour, together with some offbeat ones.
Kvernufoss Hike
From the trailhead you start the brief hike to Kvernufoss: it’s a few 15-20 minute stroll every method, relying on how briskly you stroll.
The mountain climbing path is sort of solely flat till you get nearer to the waterfall, at which period you are taking a brief however steep hill into the canyon. Right here the falls are first revealed to you.
As a result of a part of this land is on personal property, there’s a stile that you have to cross. It’s a small metallic ladder that takes you up and over the fence. It’s a bit awkward getting up and down, and sadly it is a barrier for folks with mobility challenges. There isn’t any different method round it; you have to climb it.
From right here, you comply with a largely flat path till you hit the River Kverna. A brief climb up a hill will ship your first glimpse of the waterfall.
From then, the time is yours. Have a seat on the grass and take within the view. {Photograph} it from each angle. Rise up shut and benefit from the spray in your face.
Then it’s time to go behind it!
Going Behind Kvernufoss Waterfall
One of the best a part of Kvernufoss goes behind the waterfall! This a part of the hike is on uneven rocky terrain. It’s an out-and-back hike — you enter and exit the identical method (in contrast to Seljalandsfoss, the place you go in a single path and out the opposite).
You’ll undoubtedly get moist in your method behind Kvernufoss, however when you’re behind the waterfall, it’s really fairly dry. There’s quite a lot of house within the cave it’s surprisingly cozy. You may even take out your good digicam right here.
Actually, if I have been bringing a picnic with me, I’d eat it again right here. You may’t get a cooler location!
Images-wise, you’ll need to have a large angle lens — the broader, the higher — to shoot behind the waterfall. That is the one method you’ll have the ability to seize the whole cave opening, as you possibly can see within the picture under.
We used our iPhones for the super-wide pictures, as we did all through the entire journey. They got here out fairly effectively!
How A lot Time to Spend at Kvernufoss
I like to recommend planning to spend about an hour at Kvernufoss — 15-20 minutes to stroll it, and not less than 20 minutes to get pleasure from it. In the event you’re a photographer, you’ll want extra time, so plan for that!
As soon as the opposite guests left, Amanda and I have been the one folks behind the waterfall, so we spent round quarter-hour simply capturing images and movies! (After all I needed to get a video of my troll dance!)
I like to recommend getting images of you silhouetted by the waterfall. It’s an angle that works effectively.
Kvernufoss in Winter
Whereas I visited Kvernufoss in August, you possibly can undoubtedly go to Kvernufoss throughout the coldest months of the 12 months. Nonetheless, the path freezes over in winter, so this could solely be undertaken you probably have applicable winter mountain climbing gear, together with crampons.
It’s not secure to stroll behind the waterfall in snow — there’s an excessive amount of ice overlaying the rocky terrain, and people icicles above may simply fall and impale you. Please don’t check this. It’s not value it.
Respect Kvernufoss, whether or not you go to in the summertime months or the winter months, and don’t threat your well being.
The place to Eat Close to Kvernufoss
I extremely advocate the cafe within the Skógar Museum. Amanda and I grabbed lunch right here after visiting Kvernufoss and we have been delighted by how the cafe was coated in (pretend) flowers! It was nearly like a Kardashian wedding ceremony.
As common, we ordered two of the cheaper gadgets on the menu — a completely loaded sizzling canine and a bowl of vegan mushroom soup with selfmade bread — and loved them each. Additionally they have some very cute desserts and pastries if you would like a candy deal with.
There’s a toilet within the foyer of the museum, which is free to make use of if you happen to’re a museum or cafe buyer or if you happen to paid for Kvernufoss parking.
The place to Keep Close to Kvernufoss
Kvernufoss is situated in Skógar, a really small city about two hours from Reykjavík and a 30-minute drive from Vík. You may keep in Skógar in a single day if you happen to’d like, however I really advocate you keep in Vík as a substitute because it’s a very good base with plenty of inns and eating places.
A whole lot of excursions go away from Vík, like Katla Ice Cave (a singular ice cave you possibly can even go to in the summertime!), plus you could have Reynisfjara Seaside, essentially the most well-known black sand seaside of Iceland!
High-Rated Luxurious Lodge in Vík: Hótel Kría — Unimaginable trendy look, clear minimalist rooms, and excellent mountain views.
High-Rated Mid-Vary Lodge in Vík: Puffin Lodge — An honest sized resort near city with snug beds and a pleasant breakfast. I stayed right here on my journey and would undoubtedly keep right here once more.
High-Rated Price range Lodge in Vík: Guesthouse Carina — Quite simple rooms in an enormous guesthouse with sweeping views over Vík city.
High-Rated Hostel in Vík: The Barn — Trendy and attractive, with cozy beds, a bar, and each dorms and personal rooms.
Test charges and availability on all Vík lodging right here.
Don’t Neglect Your Waterproof Gear!
Sure, you completely want head-to-toe waterproof gear in Iceland, it doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you’re visiting. You’ll get moist going behind Kvernufoss, and completely drenched going behind Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi.
I noticed a household stroll behind Kvernufoss carrying denims and hoodies (you can also make them out in a couple of images above) and it pained me to see all of them come out with water-spattered sweatshirts. Positively not snug on a highway journey.
On the naked minimal, I like to recommend a rain jacket with a hood to put on on high of your heat jacket; rain pants to put on on high of your mountain climbing pants or leggings, and waterproof boots. I wore Hunter wellies and so they have been splendidly waterproof, even strolling by means of the river at Gljúfrabúi with them, however subsequent time I wish to get good mountain climbing footwear which are additionally waterproof. I’ve my eye on these Merrell waterproof mountain climbing boots.
It’s your decision a waterproof digicam sleeve on your digicam. I didn’t carry one and saved my digicam below my raincoat once I went below the waterfall, but when that freaks you out, severe photographers, get the sleeve!
Extra Cool Spots on the South Coast Iceland
The South Coast is one among my favourite elements of Iceland — it’s full of so many unimaginable treasures! It’s additionally my high advisable day journey from Reykjavík. (This present day journey is an efficient one, although have in mind there’s no Kvernufoss as excursions have a tendency to not go there.)
The South Coast is wealthy in waterfalls, and you have to go to Skógafoss with its tall, broad waterfall (in spite of everything, it’s virtually subsequent door to Kvernufoss). Additionally close by are Seljalandsfoss, which you too can stroll behind, and Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall in a cave that can get you so moist!
Whereas these three waterfalls are very talked-about with bus excursions, simply down the highway is less-visited Gluggafoss, the place you possibly can stroll behind the decrease tier falls and have a little bit cozy nook to your self.
Vík, after all, has its well-known black seaside, Dyrhólaey viewpoint, and entry to Katla Ice Cave.
And if you happen to’re up for one thing offbeat and superior, I extremely advocate spending the night time on the Westman Islands, that are a 35-minute ferry experience from the South Coast.
Is Kvernufoss Price It?
Completely! Kvernufoss is my favourite waterfall in Iceland; after all it’s value it! In the event you’re low on time as you discover the South Coast, I nonetheless advocate making Kvernufoss your high precedence.
Make investments your time right here. You may nonetheless go to Skógafoss, however that one is less complicated to run as much as, take a photograph, and go away. Kvernufoss is the one the place you’ll be glad you spent the additional time.
I hope Kvernufoss will turn out to be one among your favourite waterfalls, too.
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Have you ever been to Kvernufoss? Any ideas for visiting?