Godafoss

Goðafoss




Godafoss (more accurately Goðafoss; pronounced "GO-thuh-foss") is a wide 12m tall waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót River. We were able to see this waterfall from both sides of its banks. The east bank seemed to yield some short walks leading to full contextual views from the top as well as frontal views of the falls from near the level of the river. On the west bank, we were right up against the brink of the falls, but I don't think its views were as satisfying as on the east side. Strangely, it was the west bank that seemed to have more of the tourist traffic and tour buses (my guess is because it has the more spacious car park). As a matter of fact, Julie and I plus a photographer couple had the east side to ourselves!

From what I understand, this curling horseshoe-shaped waterfall had a fairly key role in Icelandic history. Apparently back in the year 1000, the lawspeaker at the time Þorgeirr Ljósvetningagoði had the unenviable task of choosing the official religion of Iceland. Perhaps under the pressure of Christianity's convert or die methods, Þorgeirr chucked his icons of Norse deities into the falls (which, by the way, is translated to mean "waterfall of the gods") but secretly maintained allegiance to the Norse deities.

Near the base of GoðafossSince the falls is very close to the Ring Road, it didn't surprise us that this was a very popular spot both with self-drivers and tours. But even still, we didn't feel like the tourist crush was overwhelming.

Finally, while we were here, we thought it was definitely worth the effort to check out Geitafoss further downstream of Godafoss. Plus, there was even a pedestrian bridge linking the two sides of the river near Geitafoss so it wasn't totally necessary to drive to both sides of the falls.

Directions: This waterfall is well-signed and right off the Ring Road between Akureyri and Mývatn (about 50km east of Akureyri and 49km west of Reykjalið).

The turnoff for the west bank car park is about 1.1km on the Ring Road east of the turnoff for Route 842. The turnoff for the east bank area is about 300m further east just on the other side of the bridge.

[Back to top]

Approaching Goðafoss while a photographer is busy capturing itApproaching the falls while a photographer is busy capturing it

Julie near the bottom of the east bank of the fallsJulie near the bottom of the east bank of the falls

As comprehensive a view as we could get from the east bankAs comprehensive a view as we could get from the east bank

Julie walking towards the brink of the falls from the west bankJulie walking towards the brink of the falls from the west bank

As much of the falls as I could see from the west bankAs much of Godafoss as I could see from the west bank

Julie contemplates the falls from the west bankJulie contemplates the falls from the west bank

[Back to top]


Sweep of the falls as seen from its western bank


Focused on the scene at the base of the falls along its east bank


Looking down at the impressive falls from the east bank


View Larger Map

TRIP REPORTS
For more information about our experiences with this waterfall, check out the following travel stories.

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES


NEARBY WATERFALLS




Have You Been To This Waterfall?

Share your experience!

Click here to see visitor comments for this waterfall

Click here to see visitor comments for other waterfalls that we've visited in this region

Click here to go to the Comments Main Page

Enter Your Title



[Back to top]

[Go to the Norðurland Waterfalls Page]

[Go to the Iceland Page]


[Return from Godafoss to the World of Waterfalls Home Page]




FOLLOW US ON:   Facebook   Twitter

There's lots to say about Iceland and its waterfalls. Click on one of the following links to jump to the section you're interested in...


If you like this page,
you might also like...

North Iceland Waterfalls
Northern Iceland
Waterfalls

Iceland Waterfalls
Iceland Waterfalls

Iceland's Top 10 Waterfalls
Iceland's Top 10

Europe Waterfalls
Europe Waterfalls

Other Icelandic Attractions
Other Icelandic
Attractions

Iceland Travel Stories
Iceland Travel Stories

A Waterfalling Adventure
Tell YOUR Story!


Featured Visitor Stories
or Comments


Winter Gullfoss
I love your Gullfoss pictures, they look so different from when I visited this waterfall in November. An immense icy waterfall surrounded by snow...[more]


Hjalparfoss is great - don't miss it
I visited Hjalparfoss with a British group in 2008. We had been to many of the famous large falls and Gullfoss is still top of the list for sheer overpowering grandeur. BUT...[more]


Amateur Photographer
In 1989 I saw beautiful Svöðufoss waterfall and was amazed. I shot a photo and here it is....[more]


Glymur
We visited Glymur last summer, with our two teenage daughters. After a beautiful but challenging hike, we got tired of listening to older daughter's complaining...[more]


Explore the
World of Waterfalls

World of Waterfalls Map
See Where We've Been!

Top 10 Waterfalls
The World's Top 10

Waterfalls FAQ
Waterfalls FAQ

Waterfalls 101
Waterfalls 101

World of Waterfalls: An Emotive Journey
Take an Emotive Journey!


Waterfalls Blog


Weather