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- Walk behind the falls — The single most famous thing here: a narrow path leads you behind the curtain of water so you can stand in the cave and watch the waterfall from the inside. You’ll get wet, feel the spray on your face, and see a view you don’t get from the front. (Personal favorite — nothing beats that weird, loud, soaked-but-happy feeling.)
- Backlit spray, rainbows and sunset/midnight-sun shots — When the sun sits behind the falls the spray catches the light and throws vivid rainbows and golden edges through the veil. In summer the midnight sun gives you surreal, soft light for hours; in low sun months you get punchy contrasts perfect for dramatic photos.
- Top viewpoint and cliff walk — A short stair path climbs to the top of the fall for a totally different perspective: you see
- Walk behind the falls — The single most famous thing here: a narrow path leads you behind the curtain of water so you can stand in the cave and watch the waterfall from the inside. You’ll get wet, feel the spray on your face, and see a view you don’t get from the front. (Personal favorite — nothing beats that weird, loud, soaked-but-happy feeling.)
- Backlit spray, rainbows and sunset/midnight-sun shots — When the sun sits behind the falls the spray catches the light and throws vivid rainbows and golden edges through the veil. In summer the midnight sun gives you surreal, soft light for hours; in low sun months you get punchy contrasts perfect for dramatic photos.
- Top viewpoint and cliff walk — A short stair path climbs to the top of the fall for a totally different perspective: you see the drop, the river below and the black sand coastline beyond. It’s great for getting scale, watching the curtain of water from above, and spotting changing weather on the horizon.
- Gljúfrabúi — the hidden canyon neighbor — A very short walk north lands you at a tucked-away waterfall inside a narrow gorge. It’s quieter, more intimate and feels like a little secret; you often enter through a gap and peer into the canyon—bring waterproof shoes and you might have to wade a bit.
- Winter ice sculptures and frozen veil — In cold months the falls dress up in ice: frozen columns, glittering stalactites and a partially frozen curtain that makes the place look otherworldly. Paths get slippery and some angles close for safety, but the ice textures are worth the extra caution.
- Birdlife and cliff textures — The basalt cliffs and grassy ledges around Seljalandsfoss host nesting birds in summer and give the scene texture beyond just the water. It’s subtle wildlife watching rather than a puffin colony, but the small birds and rock patterns add life to the landscape.
- Easy stop on the Ring Road with short hikes nearby — Seljalandsfoss is literally a short detour off Route 1: large enough for parking and quick to access, which makes it an ideal stop on a budget south-coast loop. If you’ve got time, combine it with nearby falls and short trails for a half-day of exploring.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.