{"id":11612,"date":"2017-02-10T13:40:50","date_gmt":"2017-02-10T13:40:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photo-tours\/?p=11612"},"modified":"2023-11-19T15:06:59","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T15:06:59","slug":"oxararfoss-at-thingvellir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/oxararfoss-at-thingvellir\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss Waterfall at \u00feingvellir &#8211; West Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss Waterfall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss waterfall falls between the continental plates at \u00feingvellir National Park. The park is a UNESCO heritage site that holds many historical claims. \u00feingvellir means \u201cParliamentary Plains,\u201d and as the name suggests, the location was the stage for the earliest Icelandic assemblies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u00feingvellir plains are regarded as the site of the world\u2019s first parliament, established in A.D. 930. The land was confiscated from a Viking lord who killed one of his slaves. Gr\u00edmur Geitsk\u00f3r chose the site for the general assembly.\u00a0 \u00a0Close to \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss, it is possible to see the drowning pool and hanging rock. These grim execution tools were implemented by the first Icelandic Christians. The site also claims the origin of Christianity in Iceland (999\u20131000 A.D.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tectonic Plates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss falls from the \u00d6xar\u00e1r river and then runs between the tectonic plates for about half a kilometer. The river then works it\u2019s way to \u00feingvallavatn. A scenic lake, \u00feingvallavatn is Iceland\u2019s largest and coldest lake. After Oxarafoss, the river winds its way to the lake via a man-made waterfall, which diverts the flow of water onto the lower plains. The man-made waterfall was created by early Icelanders to create a water source for horses attending the early parliament assemblies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photo-tutorials\/photography-techniques-playing-with-water\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"382\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/6443439131_efebd213ef_b.jpg\" alt=\"Oxararfoss dreamy\" class=\"wp-image-11622\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/6443439131_efebd213ef_b.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/6443439131_efebd213ef_b-300x143.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/6443439131_efebd213ef_b-768x367.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The waterfall photographs beautifully because the dark rock provides fantastic contrast. The waterfall is part of some\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/golden-circle\/\">Golden Circle tours<\/a>. Although it rarely features on other Golden Circle tours because it requires a bit of hiking and guidance, The walls of the tectonic plates offer shelter in windy conditions. Access to \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss is easy; there is a designated path from one of the smaller car parks on the lower plateau. The path turns into a boardwalk, which now terminates at a huge wooden platform.<\/p>\n\n\n<ins class=\"bookingaff\" data-aid=\"2228095\" data-target_aid=\"2228095\" data-prod=\"map\" data-width=\"100%\" data-height=\"590\" data-lang=\"ualng\" data-dest_id=\"0\" data-dest_type=\"landmark\" data-latitude=\"64.2559196\" data-longitude=\"-21.1295496\" data-landmark_name=\"\u00deingvellir National Park\" data-mwhsb=\"0\" data-address=\"\u00deingvellir National Park, Selfoss, Iceland\" data-zoom=\"12\">\r\n    <!-- Anything inside will go away once widget is loaded. -->\r\n        <a href=\"\/\/www.booking.com?aid=2228095\">Booking.com<\/a>\r\n<\/ins><script>\r\n\r\n    (function(d, sc, u) {\r\n      var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];\r\n      s.type = 'text\/javascript';\r\n      s.async = true;\r\n      s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date());\r\n      p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);\r\n      })(document, 'script', '\/\/cf.bstatic.com\/static\/affiliate_base\/js\/flexiproduct.js');\r\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">North American Plate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2056625825_436971c547_z.jpg\" alt=\"Oxararfoss hiker\" class=\"wp-image-11627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2056625825_436971c547_z.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2056625825_436971c547_z-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The upper plateau is the North American side of the gorge. This view is looking down on the site before the building of the huge wooden platform. It might be possible to climb up to this point, although the Tourist Board frowns on this kind of activity. Instead, I got to this point by following the \u00d6xar\u00e1r river, marked by a bridge on the road leading through Thingvellir National Park. Following the river will (naturally) lead you to the top of \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss waterfall. The river is quite significant, so unless you are a talented long jumper, you better pick which side of the river to follow carefully. In the picture above, I am sitting on the west side of the \u00d6xar\u00e1r River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\" id=\"attachment_82913\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/image719.jpg\" alt=\"\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss waterfall top\" class=\"wp-image-82913\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/image719.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/image719-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/image719-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/image719-610x407.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss waterfall from the top of the falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Almannagj\u00e1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the picture above, facing east, you can see the rocky outcrop that protrudes further than the waterfall. If you follow the \u00d6xar\u00e1r river on the other side, you will have a view facing west, which could include the river and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thingvellir.is\/en\/education\/nature\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Almannagj\u00e1<\/a>\u00a0(every-man gorge).\u00a0 Legend has it that the conspiracy to burn down the house of Njall, in the Saga of Burning Njall, took place in the Almannagj\u00e1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\" id=\"attachment_83100\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2OxarTopHDR-e1640949959640.jpg\" alt=\"Top of \u00d6xar\u00e1foss \" class=\"wp-image-83100\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Top of \u00d6xar\u00e1foss waterfall facing West.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are not nervous of heights it is possible to stand on the protruding rocky outcrop, if is possible to photography the whole waterfall.&nbsp; Having this elevation gives a totally different perspective of \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss waterfall.&nbsp; Having soft light reflect on the clam surface of the river before it plunges over the rocks is quite satisfying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\" id=\"attachment_83102\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/OxTopPortHDR800copy.jpg\" alt=\"\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss vertical photo\" class=\"wp-image-83102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/OxTopPortHDR800copy.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/OxTopPortHDR800copy-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A vertical photo of \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss Waterfall from the protruding rock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frozen \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss Waterfall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss is about the right size to freeze.\u00a0 During prolonged periods of -4 degrees and under, the waterfall will become thicker and thicker with ice until only a small part is flowing.\u00a0 With reasonable caution, it is possible to get close to the falls and photograph the fine details of the icicles and the blue of the pure water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\" id=\"attachment_83103\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2BlueFrozen.jpg\" alt=\"\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss Frozen\" class=\"wp-image-83103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2BlueFrozen.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2BlueFrozen-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2BlueFrozen-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2BlueFrozen-610x407.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A frozen \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss with lots of blue.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\" id=\"attachment_83104\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2OxLand.jpg\" alt=\"Star-trails over \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss\" class=\"wp-image-83104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2OxLand.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2OxLand-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2OxLand-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/2OxLand-610x407.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A frozen \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss waterfall at night with a 4 minute exposure for star trails.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Parliamentary Plains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The literal translation of \u201c\u00feingvellir \u201d is \u201cParliamentary plains\u201d.\u00a0 The water from \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss continues as a river through the Almannagj\u00e1 for about half a mile before cascading down a smaller waterfall. This smaller waterfall was made by the Icelanders over 1000 years ago, when the first parliament was set up.\u00a0 The land was a good fit for the world\u2019s first parliament as the low lying grassland was good for camping and grazing horses. The smaller waterfall was used to divert the path of the \u00d6xar\u00e1r River onto the plains for the horses. The parliamentary plains extend under Lake \u00feingvallavatn (currently Iceland\u2019s largest lake). The damming of \u00feingvallavatn for hydroelectric power raised the level of the lake by about a meter. The gorge between the tectonic plates continues under the lake. The Silfra Gorge is now a famous freshwater diving site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss Waterfall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Self Drive<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leave Reykjavik on the ring road, heading north.  Almost immediately, you will be in Mossfellsbaer with several round-a-bouts.  When you are away from the last roundabout, take a right turn into Mossadalir on road #36 (\u00deingvallavegur).  The speed limit will drop to 50 kph as you enter the National Park. Continue down to the lower plateau and then take a right turn.  Take the next right turn (almost straight) and park in the first proper car park.  \u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss Waterfall is directly in front of you but hidden by the walls. There is a footpath from the car park to the falls. Th drive takes about 50 minutes from Reykjavik.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Golden Circle Tours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: Not all bus tours to Thingvellir include \u00d6xararfoss. Some might allow you enough time to hike to the waterfall. These tours and activities include Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss waterfalls. The private tours will definitely include Oxararfoss and more. Booking is made through Viator, and a small commission supports this website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Private Tours<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-f98a9420\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<div data-vi-partner-id=\"P00056912\" data-vi-language=\"en\" data-vi-currency=\"USD\" data-vi-partner-type=\"AFFILIATE\" data-vi-url=\"285731P4,164111P2,100749P4\"><\/div>\n<script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.viator.com\/orion\/partner\/widget.js\"><\/script>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minibus Tours<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-5173eb7b\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<div data-vi-partner-id=\"P00056912\" data-vi-language=\"en\" data-vi-currency=\"USD\" data-vi-partner-type=\"AFFILIATE\" data-vi-url=\"36855P1,2970AH23,49549P1\"><\/div>\n<script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.viator.com\/orion\/partner\/widget.js\"><\/script>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Silfra Diving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The snorkel diving at Silfra is for active tourists with a generally good level of fitness. The scuba tour is for qualified divers only.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-33be92da\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<div data-vi-partner-id=\"P00056912\" data-vi-language=\"en\" data-vi-currency=\"USD\" data-vi-partner-type=\"AFFILIATE\" data-vi-url=\"39217P5,5590P38,39217P1,39217P7,5590P56,39217P10\"><\/div>\n<script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.viator.com\/orion\/partner\/widget.js\"><\/script>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u00d6xararfoss Waterfall After Rain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After heavy rain, the \u00d6xarar river can flood the land.  This was only a feature before the viewing platform was constructed.  Now all this reflected beauty goes unnoticed beneath your feet.  I took full advantage of the floods back in 2009. For this photo, I used a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photo-tutorials\/guide-to\/landscape-photography\/landscape-photography-filters-pros-cons\/\">polariser filter (CPL)<\/a> to see the rocks below the surface of the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/1PolarisedBorderless.jpg\" alt=\"Vertical Reflections at Oxararfoss Waterfall.\" class=\"wp-image-85613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/1PolarisedBorderless.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/1PolarisedBorderless-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vertical Reflections at \u00d6xararfoss Waterfall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss waterfall falls between the continental plates at \u00feingvellir National Park. The park is a UNESCO heritage site which holds many historical claims.\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":12592,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[160,203,275,337,339,2398,362],"table_tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/tigersky-Edited-1.jpg",892,498,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/tigersky-Edited-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/tigersky-Edited-1-300x167.jpg",300,167,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/tigersky-Edited-1-768x429.jpg",768,429,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/tigersky-Edited-1.jpg",892,498,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/tigersky-Edited-1.jpg",892,498,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/02\/tigersky-Edited-1.jpg",892,498,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable":"<p>\t\t\t\t\u00d6xar\u00e1rfoss waterfall falls between the continental plates at \u00feingvellir National Park. The park is a UNESCO heritage site which holds many historical claims.\t<\/p>\n","category_list":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/category\/location-guide\/waterfalls-locations\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Icelandic Waterfalls<\/a>","author_info":{"name":"Tony Prower","url":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/author\/walstib\/"},"comments_num":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11612"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11612"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88597,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11612\/revisions\/88597"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11612"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=11612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}