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 · Southern Iceland
Seljalandsfoss
The falls drop clear of an overhanging cliff face left by an ancient coastline, leaving enough space behind the curtain for a footpath to loop completely around it. Waterproof gear is essential — the walk behind means walking directly through the spray.
One of the few waterfalls walkable on all sides Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Seljalandsfoss drops 60 metres (197 ft) on the Seljalandsá. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Hvolsvöllur, with KEF the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Seljalandsfoss itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Hvolsvöllur are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Summer keeps the behind-the-falls path open and dry-ish; winter ice can close it entirely.
Entry: Paid parking
Getting there
- Base town Hvolsvöllur
- Airport KEF
- Country Iceland
- Region Southern Iceland, Nordics & Baltics, Europe
- Access Easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
How it compares
This waterfall
Seljalandsfoss
Iceland
Height60 mWidth—
Most similar
Skógafoss
Iceland
Height60 mWidth25 m
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and in Iceland too
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
60 m
60 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
SeljalandsfossSkógafossVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Skógafoss
25 m
Angel Falls is 16× taller than Seljalandsfoss. Victoria Falls is 1.8× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Seljalandsfoss yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Seljalandsfoss
3:26
1:51
15:38
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
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
63.6156, -19.9886
Quick answers
Where is Seljalandsfoss?
Seljalandsfoss is in Iceland (Southern Iceland). The nearest base is Hvolsvöllur and the closest airport is KEF. Its coordinates are 63.6156, -19.9886.
How tall is Seljalandsfoss?
Seljalandsfoss drops 60 metres (197 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Seljalandsá.
When is the best time to visit Seljalandsfoss?
Peak flow is May to September. Summer keeps the behind-the-falls path open and dry-ish; winter ice can close it entirely.
What can you do at Seljalandsfoss?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
How do you get to Seljalandsfoss?
The usual base is Hvolsvöllur, and the closest airport is KEF. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. Paid parking.
Nearby
Closest to Seljalandsfoss
Írárfoss
Iceland · 9 km away
Írárfoss is a waterfall in Iceland.
Gluggafoss
Iceland · 52 m · 13 km away
Gluggafoss is a waterfall in southern Iceland, specifically in the Fljótshlíð area. As the most prominent…
Full guide Skógafoss
Iceland · 60 m · 30 km away
Iceland's classic 60-metre curtain, with 527 steps to the top
Urriðafoss
Iceland · 50 km away
Urriðafoss is a waterfall located in the river Þjórsá in southwest Iceland. With a flow rate of 360 m³/s, it…