Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall: Basalt Columns and How to Get There

Aldeyjarfoss: North Iceland's Basalt Column Waterfall

If Goðafoss is the waterfall everyone sees, Aldeyjarfoss is the one photographers dream about. At the top of the Bárðardalur valley, the glacial river Skjálfandafljót drops about 20 metres into a deep pool, framed on both sides by twisted black basalt columns. It is about an hour's drive from Aurora Farm Hotel, and far quieter than the waterfalls on the Ring Road.

How the Basalt Columns Formed

Aldeyjarfoss cuts through the Bárðardalshraun lava, part of the vast Ódáðahraun lava field that flowed here around 9,000 years ago. As the thick lava cooled and shrank, it cracked into hexagonal columns, the same process that created the famous columns at Svartifoss in South Iceland. At Aldeyjarfoss the columns curve, fan and lean, streaked with reds and yellows, and the white water crashing through them makes an unforgettable contrast.

Aldeyjarfoss Facts

• Height: about 20 metres

• River: Skjálfandafljót, Iceland's fourth-longest river, fed by the Vatnajökull and Tungnafellsjökull glaciers. It is the same river that forms Goðafoss further north.

• Location: the southern end of Bárðardalur, where the valley meets the highlands

How to Get to Aldeyjarfoss

From Aurora Farm, drive west on the Ring Road towards Goðafoss, then turn south into Bárðardalur on road 842. Just before the last farm on the west side of the valley, the road becomes the F26 Sprengisandur highland road. After about 4 km, a small track on the left leads to the car park, where there are toilets. From there it is a short walk down to the falls.

Good to know:

• The final stretch is an F-road. Most rental companies only allow 4x4 vehicles on F-roads, so check your rental terms before you go.

• Without a 4x4, you can park on road 842 and walk: about 8 km return.

• The F26 usually opens in early summer and closes with the first snows. Check umferdin.is for road conditions.

• Please close the gate at the start of the F26 behind you.

More Waterfalls Nearby

Walk upstream from Aldeyjarfoss to see Ingvararfoss, a short distance above, and Hrafnabjargafoss, about 5 km further up the river. Together they make a rewarding half-day hike in summer.

Plan Your Day

Combine Aldeyjarfoss with Goðafoss for a full "Skjálfandafljót day": Goðafoss in the morning, a picnic in Bárðardalur, Aldeyjarfoss in the afternoon light, and back to Aurora Farm in time for the hot springs and dinner at Þorgrímur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a 4x4 to reach Aldeyjarfoss? The last 4 km is on the F26, where most rental companies require a 4x4. Without one, you can walk in from road 842.

Can you visit Aldeyjarfoss in winter? The F26 is not cleared in winter, so the falls are best visited from June to September.

How long does it take from Akureyri? About 1–1.5 hours. From Aurora Farm Hotel it is about one hour.

Where can I stay near Aldeyjarfoss? Aurora Farm Hotel in Reykjadalur, with private geothermal hot springs and the wood-fired Þorgrímur Restaurant. Book your stay.