Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
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Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
My trip
Talk to a local
Flögufoss is a 60-metre waterfall in the Breiðdalur valley in East Iceland, the tallest waterfall in the valley and one of the region's quieter sights. It is about 30 minutes from Breiðdalsvík and around 1.5 hours from Egilsstaðir, free to visit, open all year, and reached by a short, easy walk.
Flögufoss drops around 60 metres down a rock face in the Flöguá river, at the mouth of the Flöguskarð mountain pass in Breiðdalur. It sees far fewer visitors than the well-known waterfalls further west, which makes it a good stop for anyone exploring the East Fjords at a slower pace.
A smaller waterfall sits just above the main drop, where the river spills onto a ledge and then flows out under a small natural rock arch, before Flögufoss makes its main fall into the valley below.
What sets Flögufoss apart is that rock arch. The river has not always run through it: according to local accounts the Flöguá only found its way under the arch a few decades ago, and nobody is sure why. The old course is still visible at the top, just to the side of the arch.
Behind the top of the waterfall you see Smátindafjall, the 'small-peak mountain': a row of steep, dark basalt peaks that seem to crown the fall. The same peaks are visible from Berufjörður, the next fjord south of Breiðdalsvík, where they are called Smátindur. With the ledge, the arch and the two wings of rock on either side, some visitors say the fall looks like a large eagle with its wings spread. Light vegetation around the river stands out against the dark brown mountains.
The final track can be too rough for low-clearance cars; parking on the main road and walking the last stretch avoids the risk of getting stuck.
The walk is short and easy to follow, but the last part is rocky and gets steep. Allow 15–20 minutes each way, plus time at the waterfall.
Even on a sunny day it is cool by the river. Wear warm layers and shoes with a good grip, and bring a camera: the light is good both in full sun and at sunset.
You can easily spend a whole day in this part of the East Fjords. There are waterfalls in almost every valley, so Flögufoss combines well with Folaldafoss and Sveinstekksfoss on the road towards Djúpivogur.
None at the site. The village of Breiðdalsvík has fuel, food and accommodation nearby.
Breiðdalsvík and the other small fjord towns along the East Coast, such as Stöðvarfjörður and Djúpivogur, have guesthouses and hotels within easy reach of Flögufoss.
About 1 km each way, so 30–45 minutes for the round trip plus time at the waterfall. It is an easy walk from the Flaga sign, though the final climb is rocky and steep.
No, it sees far fewer visitors than better-known waterfalls, since it sits off the main coastal route.
The last stretch is a rough track; it is safer to park on Road 966 and walk in, especially without a high-clearance vehicle.
In Breiðdalur valley in East Iceland, on the south side of the valley along Road 966, a short drive inland from Breiðdalsvík. The GPS position is 64.81302, -14.38572.
Smátindafjall, a row of steep basalt peaks. From Berufjörður on the other side the same peaks are known as Smátindur.
Tours and trips that include Flögufoss, booked directly with a local travel agency in Iceland.
