Hike-in Required
No
Open Year-round
Yes
ADA accessible
No
Guided tours
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Also known by the name Merkjárfoss, Gluggafoss sits along the Merkjá River in southern Iceland. Falling a total of 52 meters (about 170 feet) over two falls, Gluggafoss is an unusually picturesque waterfall that lies off the beaten path and tends to go unnoticed compared to its more popular relative neighbors, Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi. This gives visitors here the chance to take in some of its scenic features with few, if any, other souls around.

The lower falls drop about 8.5 meters (about 28 feet) in three main channels to river. A path allows visitors to walk behind the lower falls, where views of the surrounding farmland can be seen for those willing to get a little bit wet.

A path leads to the upper falls, which drop 44 meters (144 feet). Unique features give the waterfall its name: "windows" (known as "gluggar" in Icelandic) through which the water falls. Over time, falling water carved into the soft palagonite bedrock, and the waterfall now drops through holes in this stone. The softness of the stone has caused the waterfall to change over time, and it has historically fallen through multiple windows and arches.

A large draw of Gluggafoss is the solitude experienced here, despite that it lies not far from Iceland's well-travelled Ring Road. A single picnic table and interpretive sign are located near the base of the falls. There are no other amenities here.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

None

Pros

Picturesque. Can walk behind falls.

Cons

None

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Features

Family friendly
Picnic tables
Big vistas
Near lake or river
Waterfalls

Location

Comments

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