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 · Nordics & Baltics
Gluggafoss
Gluggafoss is a waterfall in southern Iceland, specifically in the Fljótshlíð area. As the most prominent member of a series of waterfalls running from the river Merkjá , it is also known as Merkjárfoss ; both names are acknowledged on an on-site signpost.
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.
Gluggafoss drops 52 metres (171 ft). It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Rangárþing eystra, Iceland. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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 Gluggafoss itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Rangárþing eystra 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 Rangárþing eystra, Iceland
- Country Iceland
- Region Nordics & Baltics, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Gluggafoss
Iceland
Height52 mWidth—
Most similar
Steinsdalsfossen
Norway
Height51 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Norway
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
51 m
52 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
SteinsdalsfossenGluggafossVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 19× taller than Gluggafoss. Victoria Falls is 2.1× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Gluggafoss 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
63.72, -19.8927
Quick answers
Where is Gluggafoss?
Gluggafoss is in Iceland (Nordics & Baltics). The nearest base is Rangárþing eystra, Iceland. Its coordinates are 63.7200, -19.8927.
How tall is Gluggafoss?
Gluggafoss drops 52 metres (171 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Gluggafoss?
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 Gluggafoss?
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 Gluggafoss?
The usual base is Rangárþing eystra, Iceland. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Gluggafoss
Seljalandsfoss
Iceland · 60 m · 13 km away
One of the few waterfalls walkable on all sides
Írárfoss
Iceland · 16 km away
Írárfoss is a waterfall in Iceland.
Full guide Skógafoss
Iceland · 60 m · 30 km away
Iceland's classic 60-metre curtain, with 527 steps to the top
Þjófafoss
Iceland · 40 km away
Þjófafoss aˌfɔsː] , "thieves' waterfall"; also Thjofafoss) is located on the river Þjórsá on the east side of…