{"id":84293,"date":"2022-02-20T15:38:26","date_gmt":"2022-02-20T15:38:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/phototours\/?p=84293"},"modified":"2023-11-19T15:52:35","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T15:52:35","slug":"skutafoss-waterfall-east-iceland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/skutafoss-waterfall-east-iceland\/","title":{"rendered":"Sk\u00fatafoss Waterfall – East Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

 Double Waterfall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sk\u00fatafoss is a double waterfall near the east coast of Iceland.  It is a lesser-known waterfall, just a short drive from Iceland\u2019s most famous mountain.  Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall is in a valley just 15 minutes drive from Vestrahorn Mountain.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The waterfall almost falls into a shallow cave and can also be viewed from the roof of the cave.\u00a0 A small section of the cave roof can be seen in the photograph below (top right corner).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I used to visit Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall during my winter workshops.\u00a0 The waterfall is often dramatic, and the interesting landscape surrounding it makes Sk\u00fatafoss a dynamic waterfall to photograph.\u00a0 The smaller waterfall of the two can be a mere dribble, but it springs to life after heavy rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Skutafoss\"
The double waterfall after heavy rain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to get to Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Driving to Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall is fairly easy. The ring road continues on a left turn just before the town of Hofn. The road enters a tunnel, which goes through Vestrahorn Mountain. About 10 minutes after emerging from the tunnel, the ring road takes a bend to the left. The track into the valley can be seen just after the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access to Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall is fairly easy all year round.\u00a0 There is a parking area just a few hundred meters up the track, and it is easy to hike the rest of the way to the waterfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first waterfall visible is a man-made waterfall used for generating electricity.\u00a0 After this artificial waterfall, the rest of the valley is 100% natural.\u00a0 The hiking trail gives way to the river in a few places. The river is quite substantial, and there are rapids and a few other smaller waterfalls along the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Low<\/a>
low-level cascade just before Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Landscape Prints<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hidden  Treasure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is only when you are about 100 meters away that Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall becomes visible.\u00a0 The river running through this East Iceland valley winds in an \u2018S\u2019 shape.\u00a0 The path descends onto a rough river bed.\u00a0 It is usually dry, although in wet seasons, the river can flood the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mountains surrounding the valley are mostly loose scree slopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frozen Sk\u00fatafoss Waterfall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The very first time I discovered Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall was in mid-winter.\u00a0 The temperatures had been below zero for about a week, and the river was frozen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Skutafoss
Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall on a cold day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Only the blue pool and centre of the waterfall weren\u2019t frozen.\u00a0 In very cold temperatures, it is possible to cross the frozen river. Most of the river after Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall is only a few inches deep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hotels near Sk\u00fatafoss Waterfall<\/h3>\n\n\n
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H\u00f6fn Hotels<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These hotels and guesthouses are about a 20-minute drive from Sk\u00fatafoss waterfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n \r\n Booking.com<\/a>\r\n<\/ins>