The famous tourist attraction Svartifoss Waterfall, Svartifoss (Black Falls) is located in the Skaftafell National Park. The name of the waterfall Svartifoss translates as dark fall or dark waterfall. The waterfall got its name for the dark basalt columns surrounding it.
Content:
- How to get to Svartifoss Waterfall
- Hike to Svartifoss waterfall
- Is this a difficult hike?
- The cost of visiting the Svartifoss waterfall
Icy meltwater from the Svinajolhokull glacier feeds the famous Svartifoss waterfall. The waterfall falls from a height of 20 meters (80 feet) from the cliff, which is surrounded on both sides by tall black basalt columns resembling the pipes of a giant organ. This wonder of natural architecture inspired the designer of the National Theatre of Iceland and the Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavik.
Hexagonal columns are formed inside the lava flow, which cools very slowly, which leads to crystallization. Similar well-known lava formations are visible on the Cone of Giants in Northern Ireland and on the island of Staffa in Scotland.
How to get to Svartifoss Waterfall
The hike to the Svartifoss Waterfall starts from the Visitor Center in Skaftafell. You can also find all the information and tips about the area there.
You can get to the entrance to Skaftafell Park by taking county road number 1 and turning onto Road 998. Very close to the turn, there is an observation deck near the metal structure of the destroyed bridge and from there a very spectacular view of the Vatnajokull glacier opens.
Vatnajokull Glacier is the largest glacier in Europe
Vatnajökull is the largest ice cap in Iceland, covering 8% of the island's territory. The Vatnajokull Glacier is located in the south-west of Iceland and is a popular ...
Hike to Svartifoss waterfall
Hike to Svartifoss, starting from the Visitor Center in Skaftafell, the distance is about 1.5 kilometers or 45 minutes (one way). On the way to Svartifoss waterfall you will meet three other waterfalls:
- ÞJofafoss (The Fall of Thieves)
- Hundafoss (Dog Drop)
- Magnusarfoss (Magnus Waterfall).
Once you get to Svartifoss, there is a small bridge next to the waterfall that allows you to get closer to the waterfall. Also on the way there are a couple of observation decks with views of the waterfall and the surrounding area.
There are also many other routes in the Skaftafell National Park, their length is also different, from routes for a couple of hours, half a day, to multi-day options.
Is this a difficult hike?
The trail to the waterfall runs with a small climb, so although the hike is generally easy, it requires a little effort from those who are out of shape and / or do not often go trekking.
The cost of visiting the Svartifoss waterfall
Visiting Svartifoss Waterfall, as well as most of Iceland's natural attractions, is free!
However, recently the parking lot near the Skaftawell National Park has been redone and now there is no possibility to park the car for free, there is only paid Parking. The cost of 24 parking is 700 CZK, you need to pay at the vending machine by entering the car number. If parking is not paid before departure, the owner of the car will receive an invoice with twice the amount of parking.
If you want to stay at the Scafell campsite, then you should not follow the parking signs, but go straight to the campsite, since the entry cameras are installed on the road that leads to the parking lot. And as soon as the camera captures you, you will have to pay.
