How to Visit the Impressive Kolugljufur Canyon and Kolufossar Waterfall

Getting There

Getting to Kolugljufur canyon and Kolufossar waterfall is only really possible by car. We suggest renting a car when you travel to Iceland.

Having a car rental in Iceland allows you the flexibility of going where you want, when you want. Earlier in the morning or later in the evening will help avoid the large bus tours and you might even have some attractions all to yourself.

For visitors to Iceland who want to compare car rentals from Icelandic providers, Travel to Iceland makes it easy to do so. It's possible to check availability and find exclusive rates and booking perks in one place.

To reach Kolugljufur canyon and Kolufossar waterfall, venture off the Ring Road. Drive for a few minutes down Víðidalsvegur (Route 715). We saw so many adorable sheep along the side of this road.

There's only a small space to park our cars around a bend in the road with an informational sign about Kolugljufur. All we could see from the road was a bridge. I remember thinking, "Well, I guess we're in the right place."

Our surroundings were absolutely stunning. At that point, we had no idea. The beauty of the canyon was beyond and beneath us.

Kolugljufur Canyon

Walking across a bridge and to the right, we witnessed the jaw-dropping spectacle that was Kolugljúfur. There was a steep drop on either side of the canyon, and the rocky cliffs extended as far as we could see.

It's wonderful that there's not much hiking involved to see the gorge. It's right by the car park, and you can see everything in about 15 to 30 minutes. This depends on how long you'd like to spend here to admire it and take photographs, as well as walk along the canyon.

The Vididalsa River rushed through the canyon way at the bottom the rugged gorge. Kolugljufur Canyon is about 1km long, 40 metres deep and up to 60 metres across in some places. I'd rate this one as an easy hike, meaning that everyone can visit and enjoy it.

As Iceland is rich in folklore, the Kolugljufur Canyon is named after the giantess, Kola. According to legend, Kola lived in the canyon. The gorge itself was shaped by her daily activities, such as where she slept and where she cooked the salmon she caught in the river.

However, be very careful here. Don't get too close to the edge. The Icelandic Tourist Bureau lists Kolugljúfur as one of the top 10 dangerous tourist places to visit in the country.

When we visited, there were no barriers or fences and we carefully wandered this site at our own risk. We watched every footstep to make sure we did not slip or fall. It felt safe to us - it had not rained in some time, and the rocks were not slippery.

Since this is considered to be one of the most dangerous places to visit in Iceland, they have installed a small fence at the base of the gorge where you can safely admire the canyon and the waterfall.

There is another small viewing platform on the edge of the gorge, too. It is possible to still walk along the edge of the canyon, at your own risk.

Kolufossar Waterfall

Venturing to the other side of the bridge, you'll trace where the rushing river water originates. Kolufossar is a brilliant waterfall and you can stand directly in front of it on a rocky ledge. The Vididalsa River rushes over the cliffs creating these cascading falls.

As a lesser known waterfall farther away from the busier natural attractions in the south of Iceland, don't be surprised if you have this waterfall entirely to yourself.

Even after staying a while, there were only a couple of other people visiting Kolugljufur and Kolufossar while we were there. We had plenty of time to marvel at the beauty of this waterfall on our own.

Don't miss checking out Kolugljufur canyon and Kolufossar waterfall, especially if you're driving around the Ring Road of Iceland.

Where to Stay Near Kolugljufur Canyon

Just a short drive away in Hvammstangi, we loved staying at Hvammstangi Cottages. They're self service cabins right in town.

The mountains and countryside serve as a spectacular backdrop. It's the combination of the perfect location and having all the amenities you need for a comfortable and restful stay.

Each cottage has a kitchenette, bathroom, and bunk beds (which we discovered seems to be a common feature in Icelandic cottages!). Justin and I cooked our meals at Hvammstangi Cottages, which helped us save money on the cost of food.

Book your stay here.

And when you're in Hvammstangi, why not go seal watching? It's one of the best places in Iceland to view seals in their natural habitat.

More Iceland Blog Posts

We have so many guides for visiting Iceland after traveling there on two separate occasions. Here are a few itineraries you may find helpful, depending on the duration of your trip:

• 5 Days in Iceland Itinerary
• 7 Days in Iceland Itinerary
• 10 Days in Iceland Itinerary
• 2 Weeks in Iceland Itinerary