Goðafoss

Why I recommend it

Goðafoss is beautiful on its own, but the story behind it makes the stop much more interesting. The waterfall is around 12 metres high and 30 metres wide, with the Skjálfandafljót river dropping in a broad horseshoe shape. Its name means “Waterfall of the Gods.” According to tradition, around the year 1000, Iceland’s lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði decided that Iceland should officially adopt Christianity. After making that decision, he is said to have thrown his statues of the old Norse gods into the waterfall. That combination of scenery and history is exactly why I think it is worth stopping for.

What to do

Walk both sides if you have the time. There are parking areas on both sides of the river, with paved paths leading to different viewpoints. Each side gives you a slightly different perspective, and because the waterfall is so wide, it is worth seeing from more than one angle. If you are already driving the Ring Road or Diamond Circle, it is an incredibly easy stop to add.

Good to know

Goðafoss is directly beside Route 1, so access is much easier than at many other waterfalls in Iceland. There is parking on both sides and established paths to the viewpoints. That said, Icelandic weather still applies. Wind, rain, snow or ice can completely change the experience, especially around the paths near the water. Give yourself proper shoes and layers even if it looks calm when you leave the car.