Every country, and the places worth the trip 26,398 places across 240 countries Guess the country
Meridiela.

Gljufrabui

A waterfall hidden inside a cleft beside Seljalandsfoss, reached by wading up the stream into the rock.

Updated 30 August 2026

WhereSouthern Region
Nearest cityHvolsvollur about 30 km; Vik about 75 km
Best seasonMay to September
Time to allowAn hour
Getting thereA few hundred metres north of Seljalandsfoss on road 249; the entrance is a gap in the cliff
EntryFree; parking charged at Seljalandsfoss

Gljufrabui drops about forty metres, but almost none of it is visible from outside: the fall is inside a cleft in the cliff, and to see it you walk into the gap and up the streambed, which means wet feet in most conditions. Inside, the chamber opens out with the water coming down one wall and a boulder in the middle that people climb for the view up. Spray fills the space, so cameras fog and everyone comes out damp. It stands a few minutes from Seljalandsfoss and a large share of the crowd there never walks the extra distance, which is the odd part - it is the more memorable of the two.

What's there

  • A fall inside the rock - hidden from the outside, about forty metres.
  • A wade to reach it - up the streambed through a gap in the cliff.
  • A spray-filled chamber - with a boulder people climb in the middle.
  • A crowd that mostly misses it - minutes from Seljalandsfoss.

When to go

May to September; the cleft is icy and hazardous in winter. An hour.

What to expect

You will get wet - waterproof boots are the difference between enjoying this and enduring it. The chamber is small and queues form in the middle of the day. Rocks are slick and the boulder is a genuine fall risk. Parking is charged at the neighbouring site.

Nearby

Seljalandsfoss is a few minutes south; Eyjafjallajokull rises behind.

Key facts

Local nameGljúfrabúi (Icelandic)
Location63.6214° N, 19.9883° W · map

Source: Wikidata, item Q5569999, read on 18 October 2026.

What to pack for Gljufrabui

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

  • Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
  • Layers + a waterproof shell - Mountain weather turns fast; a packable rain jacket saves the day. Find on Amazon
  • Daypack with rain cover - 20-30 litres holds water, snacks, layers and a first-aid kit. Find on Amazon
  • Offline maps + a power bank - Download the trail before you lose signal; carry backup charge. Find on Amazon

Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All packing kits

Plan your trip

Where to start if Gljufrabui is going on the list.

Booking links on this page are affiliate links - if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write about a place.

Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

← More nature & outdoors in Iceland

One place a week.

A short Friday email about one place worth knowing.