Lonely Planet IcelandLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Iceland
Lonely Planet · 2026
Newest Lonely Planet edition: Ring Road planning, road and weather advice, and practical detail for every major Icelandic waterfall.
Iceland · Northeastern Region
Aldeyjarfoss
The Aldeyjarfoss waterfall is situated in the Highlands of Iceland at the northern part of the Sprengisandur Highland Road. The river Skjálfandafljót drops here from a height of 20m.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Aldeyjarfoss drops 20 metres (66 ft). It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Northeastern Region, Iceland. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Aldeyjarfoss is number 10 on our list of waterfalls at the ends of the earth. As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Aldeyjarfoss itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Northeastern Region are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Snowmelt feeds the falls from late May; June to August is the short, bright season, and many access roads close in winter.
Getting there
- Base town Northeastern Region, Iceland
- Country Iceland
- Region Northeastern Region, Nordics & Baltics, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Aldeyjarfoss
Iceland
Height20 mWidth—
Most similar
Falls of Kirkaig
United Kingdom
Height20 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in the United Kingdom
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
20 m
20 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
AldeyjarfossFalls of KirkaigVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 49× taller than Aldeyjarfoss. Victoria Falls is 5.4× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Aldeyjarfoss yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
The Rough Guide to IcelandRough Guides
Guidebook
The Rough Guide to Iceland
Rough Guides · 2025
Current Rough Guide with region-by-region coverage of the south coast, Mývatn area, Snæfellsnes and Vatnajökull.
Guidebook
DK Eyewitness Iceland
DK Eyewitness · 2024
Map-heavy illustrated guide, handy for picturing the Golden Circle and south-coast falls before you drive them.
Iceland (Classic Geology in Europe)Thor Thordarson & Ármann…
Natural history
Iceland (Classic Geology in Europe)
Thor Thordarson & Ármann Höskuldsson · 2022
Field geology of Iceland's volcanic landscapes, explaining the lava, basalt and canyons that shape falls like Svartifoss and Dettifoss.
On the map
65.366, -17.348
Quick answers
Where is Aldeyjarfoss?
Aldeyjarfoss is in Iceland (Northeastern Region). The nearest base is Northeastern Region, Iceland. Its coordinates are 65.3660, -17.3480.
How tall is Aldeyjarfoss?
Aldeyjarfoss drops 20 metres (66 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Aldeyjarfoss?
Peak flow is June to August. Snowmelt feeds the falls from late May; June to August is the short, bright season, and many access roads close in winter.
What can you do at Aldeyjarfoss?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Aldeyjarfoss?
The usual base is Northeastern Region, Iceland. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Aldeyjarfoss
Goðafoss
Iceland · 12 m · 40 km away
Historically tied to Iceland's conversion to Christianity
Full guide Dettifoss
Iceland · 44 m · 70 km away
Among Europe's most powerful waterfalls
Hengifoss
Iceland · 128 m · 120 km away
Hengifoss is the third highest waterfall in Iceland, 128 meters. It is located in Hengifossá in…
Litlanesfoss
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