The Best Waterfalls in the Nordics

South Iceland

Four falls lie in the south. Gullfoss has two tiers of the Hvítá River dropping into a deep canyon, and visitors park in a large lot near the rim after a drive from Reykjavik on the Golden Circle. Skógafoss drops about 60 metres over old sea cliffs, and a paid car park sits a few minutes away. Kvernufoss, in a green gorge, can be walked behind. Háifoss drops 122 metres beside a 7 km gravel road with potholes.

Northern and Western Iceland

Dynjandi is a fan-shaped fall about 100 metres high above a fjord, widening from 30 metres at the top to 60 at the base. Visitors drive Route 60 on a gravel road, then climb 15 to 20 minutes past smaller falls to reach the main one. Dettifoss is 44 metres high and 100 metres wide. Route 862 from the west is paved and ends at a car park, then a 1.5 km walk. Spray soaks visitors, so waterproof clothing is advised.

Norway

Three falls lie in Norway. Vøringsfossen drops nearly 200 metres into a narrow gorge, reached by a rocky walk with stairs and bridges from car parks above and below. Langfoss falls 612 metres beside the road into the Åkrafjorden fjord, and steps climb about 300 metres to its upper viewpoint. Låtefossen has twin streams that plunge about 165 metres in the Odda Valley, and a car park beside the road gives access without a hike.