Lake
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Höfn, Iceland
A lagoon filled with drifting icebergs that break off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue.
Waterfall · Iceland · South Iceland
Svartifoss
A waterfall framed by dark hexagonal basalt columns, an easy hike from the Skaftafell visitor centre.
Free to enter about 1.5 h
For storytellers
Why Svartifoss matters
Svartifoss, the Black Falls, spills over a curved wall of dark basalt columns. The hike from the visitor centre takes about an hour round trip, climbing through birch woods. The columns are often said to have inspired the design of Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík. Go early to avoid crowds.
Talking points
- Its walls are made of hexagonal basalt columns.
- The trail starts at the Skaftafell visitor centre.
- The columns are said to have inspired Reykjavík's big church.
Free to read aloud or adapt in your video. Check facts that matter to you against an official source before you publish.
More in Höfn
Beach
Diamond Beach
Höfn, Iceland
A black-sand beach scattered with clear chunks of ice washed out from Jökulsárlón.
National park
Skaftafell
Höfn, Iceland
A green oasis within Vatnajökull National Park, with glacier tongues, waterfalls and hiking trails.
Mountain
Stokksnes and Vestrahorn
Höfn, Iceland
A jagged mountain rising behind black dunes and a tidal lagoon, a favourite with photographers.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.