Aldeyjarfoss waterfall in the Skjálfandafljót river in North Iceland is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I have ever seen in my country.
It has a drop of 20 meters into a turbulent, icy-cold pool and is set in such beautiful basalt columns that the beauty blows my mind. Aldeyjarfoss, in the right light, is the perfect photography location.
Now, let's visit it :)
Top photo: Aldeyjarfoss as seen from the north bank
Aldeyjarfoss waterfall
I am a big fan of both waterfalls and basalt columns, so I have put Aldeyjarfoss amongst my top 3 favourite waterfalls in Iceland.
You know how some waterfalls look like bridal veils, but Aldeyjarfoss looks like a beautiful bridal gown train.
Aldeyjarfoss is off the beaten path in North Iceland, so many people don't get a chance to visit it. But if you don't mind driving for 41 km one way into Bárðardalur valley from the main road, then you will be rewarded with one of the most elegant waterfalls in Iceland.
Aldeyjarfoss drops from the ancient Báðardalshraun lava field, which flowed from an eruption some 9,000 years ago.
Beautiful basalt columns by Aldeyjarfoss
Here we are not far from my favourite place in Iceland, Mývatn, with all of its gems of nature, and where you will for sure feel like you have stepped into another world.
There are 2 roads leading to Aldeyjarfoss from Goðafoss on Ring Road 1: roads 842 and 844.
I took road 842, which turns into the mountain road F-26, up to the falls, and returned to Goðafoss on road 844 (which turns into road 843 after the big bridge connecting the two roads, further up in Bárðadalur), as I wanted to explore all 90 km of the Bárðardalur valley!
Visiting Aldeyjarfoss from the south bank
Aldeyjarfoss waterfall
I have visited Bárðardalur and Aldeyjarfoss in August and September when the gravel roads were in good condition, and during our first visit back in 2015, we drove up to the parking lot by the falls in our 2WD.
You have to open a gate that marks the boundaries between the normal road 842 and the mountain road F-26. Remember to close the gate behind you.
The road is a bumpy gravel road, which leads to Sprengisandur in the highlands, but the first part of it (4 km) leading to Aldeyjarfoss is relatively suitable for a 2WD in the summertime, in my opinion, given that it hasn't rained a lot.
Bólstaður and Mýri farms
If you choose to leave your car by the gate and hike to the waterfall, then I have read that the hike from the end of the road is something like 40 minutes.
The award-winning Icelandic film Hrútar (2015) was filmed at the two last farms by the gate, Bólstaður, and Mýri. You can see the farms in my photo above.
Hrútar is the Icelandic term for rams, and tells the story of two brothers living on farms side by side in a remote valley in Iceland - only they haven't spoken to each other for 40 years!
Warning signs of unbridged rivers if you travel further than Aldeyjarfoss
If you continue up the road past Aldeyjarfoss, you will need a 4x4 jeep, as this gravel road marks the beginning of the Sprengisandur Highland Road. You will see 2 signs with "óbrúaðar ár" written on them. That means unbridged rivers to cross.
I went about 3.5 km farther (about 5 minutes of driving) in the fall of 2018, when I finally bought a 4x4, as I wanted to see Hrafnabjargafoss waterfall.
That waterfall is also well worth a visit as it is so close by, although the road leading down to it is merely a trail. I shot a short video of it:
Now back to Aldeyjarfoss:
From the parking lot for Aldeyjarfoss, a path will take you down a rocky hill for a better view of the waterfall. And from there you get the most marvellous view of this beautiful waterfall.
I have seen two different photos of girls in what looks like a hot tub opposite Aldeyjarfoss, but it is actually cold rainwater or meltwater that has accumulated in potholes (skessuketill) in the rock.
It makes for a good photo, but it must have been a pretty cold experience for these girls.
By Aldeyjarfoss waterfall
Beautiful bent basalt columns form the backdrop of Aldeyjarfoss. The multi-coloured basalt columns here are so beautifully formed and symmetrical that they look man-made.
What an amazing masterpiece of the creator! To me, these settings are absolutely perfect :)
I have seen these basalt columns described as being black, but they are actually very colourful, from grey to brown to yellow to orange. In one place, they form a beautiful basalt column cave, which looks like artwork.
Basalt columns by Aldeyjarfoss
Another waterfall set in basalt columns is Svartifoss waterfall in South Iceland, where the basalt columns are quite black, giving Svartifoss - Black Fall its name!
And yet another waterfall set in basalt columns is the pretty little Litlanesfoss, by Iceland's 3rd-highest waterfall, Hengifoss. I am a huge fan of basalt columns and waterfalls, as you might have noticed ;)
Visiting Aldeyjarfoss from the north bank
Aldeyjarfoss waterfall
I visited Aldeyjarfoss waterfall from both sides, the north bank first, where we were totally alone, and from there, I got some of the most beautiful photos I have ever shot in my whole life.
From the north bank, though, you cannot see the whole round basin into which the waterfall drops and which makes Aldeyjarfoss so characteristic, so different photos can be shot from the south bank of the river.
The south bank is the official site, as it were, and several people were photographing the waterfall on that side. I showed you my visit to the south bank first, as that is the side which everybody visits.
From the north bank, there is a beautiful hike to the waterfall, whereas on the south bank, you take a gravel path down to the waterfall.
On the hike to Aldeyjarfoss
It is really difficult to give road directions for the north bank of Aldeyjarfoss waterfall. You can see the route unclearly on Google Maps. And this map on Já.is might help.
An explanation might sound something as complicated as this: "Turn right from road 843 to a road for the farm Stóratunga - signs say Stóratunga and Aldeyjarfoss. On this road, you pass Ullarfoss waterfall and cross the Svartá river on a bridge. Then you turn left on a road with a sign saying Aldeyjarfoss 2.4 km. A small gravel trail from that road - with a sign for Aldeyjarfoss - leads to a parking lot. You leave your car in the parking lot and follow a trail to the waterfall".
We stumbled onto this road after being given directions by a local at Kiðagil.
The road to Aldeyjarfoss
Above you see the turn from the gravel road to Stóratunga farm. The sign says Aldeyjarfoss 2.4 km.
From this road, you will need to watch for another sign and a trail leading to the parking lot.
From that parking lot, an approximately 18-minute easy hike takes you to Aldeyjarfoss waterfall. Along the way, you will cross at least two bridged creeks.
My husband running to see Aldeyjarfoss ;)
The hike is absolutely beautiful when the blue river comes into view, with an island and a basalt column rock in the middle of the powdery blue glacial river.
Aldeyjarfoss - Aldey Island Fall - is named after Aldey Island.
I was in awe when Aldeyjarfoss waterfall finally appeared. The sun came out and lit up parts of the waterfall, and I got tears in my eyes.
I was so astounded by its sheer beauty and so happy that I was finally able to see this remote waterfall in my country with my own eyes :)
Beautiful Aldeyjarfoss
I just stood there for ages, feeling a deep love for all the wonders of my country.
I had seen photos posted by tourists visiting my country, but I had never had the chance to see Aldeyjarfoss with my own eyes. And I know that many Icelanders have never laid their eyes on this beautiful waterfall.
Sometimes visitors to our country see more of Iceland than we, who have lived here for our whole lives, ever do.
I walked further up to see the waterfall from above and get a better view of the powdery blue river.
People on the south bank of the Skjálfandafljót river by Aldeyjarfoss
There was nobody on this side, so I guess I must have ruined a few photos that people were taking from the south side. I am that white dot in many a photo of Aldeyjarfoss waterfall taken on that day ;)
I explored the surroundings of Aldeyjarfoss and checked out the waterfall from above. I wanted to stay there forever. I am sure you have been to a place like this, where you didn't want to leave, right?
We took a different route back and walked through a small fairy-tale valley, where I just wanted to camp and stay for a few days (not allowed, though).
It reminded me of Gjáin in Þjórsárdalur valley in parts - a little oasis in this ruggedly beautiful landscape.
The route back is so beautiful
My husband's family owns a summer cottage at Mývatn, very close to Bárðardalur, which gives us a great opportunity to explore the surrounding areas.
We returned that night to the cottage, totally happy after such a beautiful day of exploring the Bárðardalur valley and the waterfalls along the Svartá and Skjálfandafljót rivers.
What treasures there are to be found off the beaten path in Iceland!
Ullarfoss waterfall
Ullarfoss waterfall
On our way to Aldeyjarfoss on the north side of the falls, we passed Ullarfoss waterfall and walked down to it to check it out.
By Ullarfoss, you will see an abandoned power station. Bárðardalshraun lava field reaches this pretty little waterfall.
Ullarfoss runs in the fresh spring river Svartá, which flows from Lake Svartárvatn.
Svartá river runs into the river Suðurá, which flows into the massive glacial river Skjálfandafljót, which further down creates the historical Goðafoss waterfall right by ring-road 1.
Ullarfoss waterfall
While visiting the 45 km-long (90 km both ways) Bárðardalur valley, one of the longest inhabited valleys in Iceland, we made several stops along the way.
We visited Lundabrekkukirkja church and got a guided tour of the church by the farmer at Lundarbrekka. And now my cousins have bought a house at Lundarbrekka, and I have an invitation to stay with them next time I visit Aldeyjarfoss waterfall.
Farm churches in Iceland are of special interest to me, and I stop by every church I encounter on my travels in my country.
Unfortunately, most of them are now locked due to vandalism, so it can be tricky for me to get the keys to have a look inside them.
Lundarbrekkukirkja church in Bárðardalur
Lundarbrekkukirkja is the Annex church of the Þverárkirkja church in Laxárdalur valley, which stands by one of the few remaining turf houses in Iceland.
Those of you who read my travel blog might know that I have written about all the remaining turf houses in Iceland, as they are a passion of mine.
Lundarbrekka was the home of the Viking settler in Bárðardalur and is named after him, Bárður Heyangurs-Bjarnason.
See also: An Elf Woman catches a Ride across Skjálfandfljót River - and Icelandic Folklore from Bárðardalur
A photo exhibition at Kiðagil
We also stopped at the guesthouse Kiðagil, the community centre for the inhabitants of Bárðardalur valley, some 20 km from Ring Road 1, and checked out the photo exhibitions. There, we found a photo exhibition on the first motor vehicle to cross the Sprengisandur highlands.
Four men crossed Sprengisandur in 1933 in a Ford model 1927 - these men were Jón J. Víðis, surveyor (top photo), Einar Magnússon, college teacher, Valdimar Sveinsson, sports teacher, and Sigurður Jónsson, driver.
I have told you about the noted Jón J. Víðis, surveyor and the instigator of the view-dials in Iceland, in my travel blog about Þverá turf house, and you will find a memorial to Jón by that majestic turf house, in which he was born.
My husband by the photo exhibition in Kiðagil
Jón J. Víðis was my husband's great-uncle and namesake, and you can see both of them in my photo above. The photos at the exhibition at Kiðagil are from the private collection of Jón J. Víðis, and the descriptions are taken from Jón's diary.
You can see the same model of the vehicle that first crossed the highlands of Iceland, Sprengisandur, on display at the regional and transport museum Skógasafn in South Iceland.
At Skógasafn Museum in South Iceland
At Kiðagil you will also be able to get acquainted with the story of the many outlaws, who lived a hard life on the run in the highlands of Iceland, f.ex. Fjalla-Eyvindur and the Viking Grettir the Strong, who lived for almost 20 years as outlaws under harsh conditions.
The guesthouse-community centre Kiðagil is named after a gorge west of the Skjálfandafljót river
A turf outhouse at Kiðagil in Bárðardalur
The travellers passing through the highland of Iceland, Sprengisandur, were always very happy to reach this gorge, as it meant they had left behind the ghosts, elves, trolls, and outlaws of the highlands.
At school, it was obligatory to learn by heart a poem by Grímur Thomsen - Sprengisandur, which tells us about the journey of the travellers through Sprengisandur and how they feared the ghosts, outlaws, and elves, and longed to be at Kiðagil.
It is a very popular poem, and we Icelanders often sing it on festive occasions.
The bridge over the Skjálfandafljót river in Bárðardalur
To reach Aldeyjarfoss waterfall from Ring Road 1, close to Goðafoss waterfall, you will have to drive for 41 km into the valley of Bárðardalur. Take road 842 to its end, where it becomes mountain road F-26.
Drive for about 4 km on F-26, a bumpy gravel road that, in my opinion, can be done in 2WD in the summertime, but don't go any further than Aldeyjarfoss, as that part of the road is for 4x4 jeeps only.
To visit North Iceland and Aldeyjarfoss, you can rent a car in Reykjavík and drive for some 475 km. There are many interesting stops along the way, so it is best to allow 2-3 days to reach this area.
I have seen one guided tour into Bárðardalur valley, Aldeyjarfoss | North Iceland Off-Road Waterfalls Tour, which also takes you to a waterfall above Aldeyjarfoss - Hrafnabjargafoss waterfall.
Even though this tour is called the Off-road Waterfalls Tour, we are not going off-road, as that is illegal in Iceland. It only means that these waterfalls are off the beaten path.
See also:
The picturesque Hrafnabjargafoss Waterfall in the Skjálfandafljót River in North Iceland
The Historical Goðafoss Waterfall in the Skjálfandafljót River
An Elf Woman catches a Ride across the Skjálfandafljót River in Bárðardalur - an Icelandic Folklore
Have a wonderful time visiting Bárðardalur and Aldeyjarfoss waterfall :)
