Epic Travel → Europe → Iceland → Southwest Iceland → Glymur

♦ Intrepid Top Pick!

Location: Northern Capital Region, Southwest Iceland

Time Required: 1.5 – 2 hours

Distance: 5 km (3 miles) roundtrip

Elevation Gain: 363 meters (1200 feet)

Red Tape/Notes: This hike would be much more challenging in the winter – if you’re planning to do a winter hike, make appropriate preparations.

What’s Nearby?: Thingvellir, Reykjavík

With a drop of just under 200 meters, Glymur was long considered Iceland’s highest waterfall (until it was dethroned when Morsárfoss was discovered in 2011) but that discovery doesn’t make Glymur any less impressive or visit-worthy. Visiting Glymur involves a beautiful hike with some stream crossings (including one across a log that must be rather sketchy with the log is icy) and a trail that winds along a beautiful cliffline above a stunning mossy canyon. Trails lead up to the falls from both the north and south sides of the canyon, and you can do the trail as a loop hike if you’re able to cross the river at the top – if you’re only doing one side, the right side trail has the better views of the falls. If you go early enough in the day, like we did, you’re likely to have the place to yourself. Regardless, there will be fewer people here than at other waterfalls because of the fact that tours don’t stop here, public transport isn’t available to this location, and you have to put in a little effort to get to the falls.

Epic Travel → Europe → Iceland → Southwest Iceland → Glymur