About This Experience

Goðafoss — literally "Waterfall of the Gods" — earned its name around the year 1000 AD, when the Althing (Iceland's parliament) was debating whether to adopt Christianity. The lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði spent a day and night under a fur blanket deliberating, then declared Iceland Christian and threw his carved Norse god statues into the waterfall on his way home.

Whether the story is perfectly historical is debated, but standing at the edge of Goðafoss, you understand why it stuck. The Skjálfandafljót river splits around a rocky island and drops 12 metres in a wide, thundering horseshoe shape. It's not the tallest waterfall in Iceland, but the breadth and symmetry give it a grandeur that the bigger falls sometimes lack.

We visited in late afternoon when the light was hitting the mist at a low angle, and the whole scene had a golden glow to it. Compared to the more famous south coast waterfalls, Goðafoss felt calmer and less crowded — more contemplative, which suits its history.

What to Expect

Goðafoss sits right beside Route 1, about 45 minutes east of Akureyri. There are viewing areas on both sides of the river, each with its own car park.

The east bank (signed from Route 1) has the more dramatic close-up views, with paths leading right to the edge of the falls. You can walk along the canyon rim for different perspectives. The west bank gives a wider panoramic view and is usually less crowded.

The viewing paths on both sides are short — 10-15 minutes of walking covers the main viewpoints. If you have time, walking further along the east bank canyon reveals smaller cascades and interesting rock formations.

In winter, the waterfall partially freezes, creating dramatic ice formations along the edges while the main flow continues to thunder through the centre.

Practical Tips

• Located right on Route 1, about 45 minutes east of Akureyri — hard to miss
• Both car parks are free; the east bank is the more popular starting point
• Visit both sides of the river for completely different perspectives
• The east bank gets you closest to the falls; the west bank gives the best wide shots
• Late afternoon light is beautiful here, with the sun illuminating the mist
• Much less crowded than south coast waterfalls — even in summer, you'll have breathing room
• The paths near the edge can be slippery with spray; watch your footing
• In winter, the approach paths can be icy — bring traction devices for your boots
• Allow 45-60 minutes to see both banks
• Easily combined with the drive between Akureyri and Mývatn