Kvernufoss

Kvernufoss is one of Iceland’s most rewarding secret waterfalls, located less than a kilometre from the famous Skógafoss yet bypassed by the vast majority of tourists. The 30-metre fall drops into a narrow mossy gorge on the Kverná river, a small tributary of the Skógá.

The real prize is the trail that winds around behind the waterfall — a damp scramble rewarded with a full behind-the-curtain experience, the roar of the water echoing off the cave walls. The intimacy of the gorge, blanketed in ferns and lichen, contrasts beautifully with the wide exposure of nearby Skógafoss.

Park at the Skógar Museum car park and walk east along the river for about 20 minutes. The trail involves some minor rock-hopping and can be slippery — waterproof footwear is strongly recommended. Accessible May to October.