Faxi

Faxi (also known as Vatnsleysufoss) is a wide, horseshoe-shaped waterfall about 80 metres across and seven metres high on the Tungufljót river, located in the Golden Circle area between Þingvellir and Geysir. It lacks the towering height of Gullfoss, but more than makes up for it with a relaxed, photogenic setting and far fewer crowds.

In late summer and autumn, Faxi becomes a spectacle of a different kind: Atlantic salmon can be seen leaping up the falls in enormous numbers during their upstream migration. A dedicated fish ladder sits alongside the main drop. The riverbank is a lovely spot for a picnic in good weather.

The site is reached via a short side road off Route 35, and there is a small free car park. A rustic café operates nearby in summer. The falls are easily combined with the rest of the Golden Circle in a single day.