Selfoss waterfall in North Iceland at sunrise, wide cascades flowing between basalt columns along the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.

    Selfoss waterfall at sunrise on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, with basalt cliffs glowing under a colourful North Iceland sky.

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    Selfoss

    Water Feature

    Selfoss is a broad waterfall located upstream of Dettifoss within the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon in North Iceland. The river spreads across multiple rock shelves before descending into the gorge. Its segmented flow creates a composition defined by horizontal span and repeating vertical drops.

    65.81400, -16.39500

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    Gallery

    Selfoss waterfall in North Iceland with wide curtain-like cascades flowing over basalt cliffs along the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.

    Selfoss waterfall on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river in North Iceland, where multipl…

    Selfoss waterfall in North Iceland at sunset, with wide cascades flowing over basalt columns and smooth glacial river in the foreground.

    Selfoss waterfall at sunset in North Iceland, where long, curtain-like cascades …

    Selfoss waterfall in North Iceland at sunrise, wide cascades flowing between basalt columns along the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.

    Selfoss waterfall at sunrise on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, with basalt cliffs …

    Selfoss waterfall in North Iceland at sunset, cascades flowing between basalt cliffs along the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river in Vatnajökull National Park.

    Selfoss waterfall glowing at sunset along the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, Vatnajöku…

    Quick Facts

    Access

    Short Walk

    15–45 min

    Elevation Gain

    100 m

    Best Light

    Golden Hour
    Overcast

    Light works best when low-angle sun grazes across the segmented drops because angled illumination enhances texture and separates individual cascades within the broad span.

    Why This Light

    Low-Angle Relief
    Softens Contrast

    Season

    Year-Round Stable

    In summer, higher water volume emphasizes the layered structure across the rock ledges. In winter, ice formations alter individual drops while maintaining the overall horizontal spread.

    Crowds

    Often Busy

    Restrictions

    Seasonal Access Risk

    Trail conditions and winter weather may affect safe access near the canyon edge.

    Photography Notes

    The waterfall reads strongest when framed to emphasize its wide horizontal spread rather than height. Elevated positioning allows the repeating drops to layer across the frame. Avoid compressing the full width by centering too tightly on a single cascade.
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