The Vestdalsfossar Waterfalls Hike in Seyðisfjörður, Iceland

If you are looking for things to do in Seyðisfjörður, or are planning to visit the area, the hike to the Vestdalsfossar waterfalls is one you should not miss.

The hike to this stunning series of waterfalls is an easy one, and you are guaranteed scenic views and beautiful waterfalls.

View of some of the main Vestdalsfossar Waterfalls.

Located in the Vestadalur valley, the two main waterfalls along this trail are called Vestdalsfossar and Selbrekkufoss. You can also visit them separately from two different trailheads, more details below.

There are also a few more waterfalls along the way, three more to be precise. Arnarfossar, right above Vestdalsfossar, then Selfossar Neðri and Selfossar, closer to the last waterfall on the trail, Selbrekkufoss.

Selbrekkufoss.

Table of Contents

Overview of the Vestdalsfossar Waterfalls Hike & Map

The hike is relatively short, and you can either do a loop following the Vestdalsa River upstream from Vestdalsfossar or split it into two short hikes from two different trailheads. The trail isn’t “plannable” in some apps, but it is there nonetheless. You can download it from the map below.

Fun thing – you also have this map on an info board in the area. One of the best overviews of trails in the area I have seen.

Anyway, This hike is best done from mid-spring to mid-autumn. The main reason is that the mountain pass between Egillstadir and Seyðisfjörður can easily be snowed in during the colder months.

When this happens, the road will either be impassable or completely closed, which can happen on short notice. Furthermore, getting to the waterfalls in the case of snow may not be safe or even possible. Personal experience – I tried to get there in winter and with snow, but it was impossible.

Here is the map of the hike. You can also download the GPX file for free from the activity linked below:

How to get to the Vestdalsfossar Waterfalls and Parking

Located in the east of Iceland, you can easily integrate a detour to Seyðisfjörður whether you are coming from the northern or the southern part of the ring road. Make sure to also stop at Gufufoss on your way there!

• Driving Directions: to get to Vestdalsfossar, you’d first need to get to Egilsstaðir. From there, follow directions to Seyðisfjörður. Once you arrive in Seyðisfjörður, turn left on the main road before getting into town. You’ll need to follow that road until it turns into gravel and you reach the parking area.
• Parking: there are two parking areas, both free at the time of writing. If you want to visit Vestdalsfossar first, you can park here. For the other parking area, which is the first you’ll come across on the road, you can park here.
• Public Transport: you can get to Seyðisfjörður by bus, details here. or here. If you arrived by ferry, this is a hike you could directly from Seyðisfjörður.

The Vestdalsfossar Loop Hiking Trail

I chose to start the hike from Vestdalsfossar and then hike following the river upstream to Selbrekkufoss. This is the most common way to hike this trail, counterclockwise from Vestdalsfossar.

Getting to Vestdalsfossar

As soon as you leave the parking area, you’ll see the Vestdalsfossar hiking trail sign. You can follow it until you reach a fork in the trail after just a couple of minutes into the hike. Take the trail to your right, to get to the Vestdalsfossar Waterfalls.

Vestdalsa River – keep following it upstream.

You’ll soon reach the Vestdalsa River, which you should keep following upstream. Here you can already see the first few waterfalls and, in less than 5 minutes, the view will open up to reveal the other ones.

Vestdalsfossar.

Even if the waterfalls are relatively small, the view is pretty epic. You essentially have several waterfalls on each side of the ravine, and it makes you wonder how many more are hidden upstream.

It’s also that kind of place where you’d expect to catch a troll running behind a rock with the corner of your eye – if you know what I meant. I guess it’s because this particular Vestdalsfossar viewpoint has a bit of a “fantasy” feel to it.

Anyway, you can hike all the way to the bigger waterfall in the gorge. There’s a small viewpoint right next to the fall. that’s where the trail inside the gorge ends.

The trail continues, following the river upstream.

Once you get to this point, you need to backtrack to continue the hike upstream to the next waterfalls.

Arnarfossar

As you get back to the fork in the trail I mentioned earlier, take the uphill trail to your left. Again, in less than five minutes you will reach an observation deck above the previous waterfall.

From there you’re next to another waterfall, Arnarfossar. It’s the closest waterfall to Vestdalsfossar,

Arnarfossar.

Selbrekkufoss

From Arnarfossar, you can continue to follow the trail upstream. Compared to the total length of the trail, it’s a relatively long stretch to the next waterfalls, before reaching. Selbrekkufoss.

However, you’ll pass by two other smaller waterfalls on your way to Selbrekkufoss. These waterfalls are called Selfossar Neðri and Selfossar. They are rather small, more like a small drop in the river.

At this point, you should already see the last waterfall of this trail, in the distance. It’s about a ten-minute walk.

You also have two main viewpoints when you reach Selbrekkufoss. One below the waterfall, which needs some navigation through big boulders to get to, and another one above the waterfall.

The upper viewpoint has an actual observation deck, from which you can see the waterfall form above.

To end the hike, you can walk back downstream and turn to your right to join a dirt road. You can follow that road back to the coast. there it’s about another 1.5km along the coast to get back to the Vestdalsfossar parking area.

Vestdalsfossar Photos and Photography Tips

Vestdalsfossar is one of the most fun waterfall hikes to photograph in east Iceland, as well as the best one in Seyðisfjörður. Beautiful waterfalls and several compositional opportunities. I spent a good hour here taking photos from different vantage points.

Also, this is a good, short hike for a rainy day. The volume of water in the falls will be considerably higher during or after rainfall, making the waterfalls even more impressive. I am not suggesting you go out in a full-blown rainstorm, but assuming you have the right gear it pays off to be there in the rain – this is also what I did.

Anyway, I’d say the most photogenic spots are the Vestdalsfossar ones, those in the ravine right next to the river. If you are short on time or want to spend more time taking photos, those are the best spots. There are plenty of foreground options too.

Both Arnarfossar and Selbrekkufoss are also quite scenic, though not as much as Vestdalsfossar. Still, I think it’s worth checking them out if you have time to do so.

Selbrekkufoss

View of Selbrekkufoss from the viewing platform

Arnarfossar

Where to stay

Seyðisfjörður would be the obvious choice, especially if you want to visit more waterfalls in the area or just explore this beautiful little town. there are quite a few options from small hotels to guesthouses and camping.

Additional Resources

• If you are in Seyðisfjörður, it’s also worth checking Budareyrarfoss and the Gufu Waterfall.
• Check out more Hikes in Iceland (with maps) here.