Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
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Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
My trip
Talk to a local
Reykjafoss is a 20-metre waterfall on the Svartá river in Skagafjörður, North Iceland, about 7 km south of Varmahlíð. It is reached by an easy walk of under 15 minutes from the car park, and the Fosslaug hot spring lies a short walk further along the same trail. Important: the landowner closed access to both Reykjafoss and Fosslaug at the end of June 2026 and no reopening date has been given, so check the current status before you drive out.
Reykjafoss drops around 20 metres in two or more stages on the Svartá river, in a green valley south of Varmahlíð. It is a quieter alternative to the well-known waterfalls of South Iceland, and most visitors reach it on a short, easy walk from a small car park nearby.
It is not a big waterfall by Icelandic standards, but it is a handsome one. The river spreads out and drops over two main rock steps in broad white curtains before gathering again below. Mountains stand behind it, and in summer the fields around are green and full of flowers. On a clear day you get the whole valley in one view.
The trail past Reykjafoss continues a little further to the small Fosslaug hot spring, making it easy to combine a waterfall stop with a soak on the same short outing. The area sits in Skagafjörður, a farming district known for horse breeding, and the walk in is gentle enough for most fitness levels.
The river itself changes name on the way to the sea. It is the Svartá at the falls, becomes Húseyjarkvísl a little further down, around Vindheimamelar, and then joins Héraðsvötn, which runs out into Skagafjörður and the North Atlantic.
These directions describe the usual route as it was before the closure in June 2026. While the closure is in place the path should not be used. Ask at the tourist information in Varmahlíð for the latest news.
Reykjafoss and Fosslaug are on private farmland, and visitors have only been able to go there with the landowner's goodwill.
At the end of June 2026 the landowner closed access to both the waterfall and the hot spring. Icelandic media, including Vísir, Heimildin, Feykir and Iceland Review, reported that he gave several reasons: the site was getting far more visitors than it could take, and tour operators were bringing groups without contributing to upkeep or taking responsibility for the place.
He has not said whether the closure is temporary or permanent. Many travel sites still describe Reykjafoss as open, because they were written before the closure. Until access is restored, please treat this page as background for a later trip and do not cross fences or signs.
Respect the closure. Ignoring it makes it less likely that the falls will reopen to visitors.
When the path is open, three things sit within a few minutes' walk of each other.
A clear day with no cloud on the mountains gives the best view of the whole valley.
None at Reykjafoss itself. Fuel and shops are available in Varmahlíð, about 7 km away.
Varmahlíð is the closest base, with a small range of accommodation and services for this part of Skagafjörður. There are more guesthouses and hotels around the fjord and in Sauðárkrókur.
Not at the moment. The landowner closed access to Reykjafoss and Fosslaug at the end of June 2026 and has not given a reopening date. Check the latest status before you plan a visit.
There has never been an entry fee, though a parking fee was charged at the car park before the closure.
About 7 km, around 10 minutes by car.
From Varmahlíð, drive south on Route 752 for about 7 km, turn left onto Route 753, cross the river and turn right onto a gravel road to the car park. The falls are a short walk from there.
Yes, when access is open. The small Fosslaug hot spring is a short walk further along the same trail.
No, it is an easy, well-worn trail under 15 minutes each way to the falls.
The Svartá. Further downstream the same river is called Húseyjarkvísl, which is why you will see both names used for the falls.
