Day 6: Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi; Walk Behind Iceland’s Famous Waterfall

Today, your Iceland road trip continues south toward the next accommodation, with one unforgettable stop along the way: Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This is one of Iceland’s most famous natural attractions—and for good reason. You’ll see it from a distance as you approach by car, and after just a short walk from the parking lot, you’ll find yourself standing in front of its 65-meter cascade. But the adventure doesn’t stop there—get your rain gear ready!

What makes Seljalandsfoss so extraordinary is the rare opportunity to walk behind the waterfall. The experience is absolutely magical, but be prepared to get soaking wet from the spray. To reach the path behind the falls, you’ll need to scramble carefully over some rocks, which can be slippery from the mist.

Once you step behind the crashing water, you’ll experience a true “wow” moment. The space feels more like a grotto than a narrow passage, and words hardly do justice to the atmosphere—it’s an adventure you simply have to live yourself.

Just a 10-minute walk from Seljalandsfoss lies another hidden gem, Gljúfrabúi (Gljúfurárfoss), also known as the “Canyon River Waterfall.” Tucked away behind a cliff, it’s easily overlooked, but absolutely worth exploring. To reach the falls, you follow a flat trail and then step into a narrow canyon through a crack in the rock. To get inside, you need to hop across stones that sit just above the water (don’t worry, the stream is shallow—at worst, you’ll get wet feet!). Once inside, the gorge opens up, and towering above you is a waterfall that seems to fall straight from the sky through a hole in the cave ceiling. Another breathtaking experience, another unforgettable memory to add to your Iceland journey.