Guide de Voyage : Hundafoss Waterfall

Hundafoss is a waterfall on the Baerjargil river in South Iceland.

Not to be confused with Hundafoss near the Dynjandi waterfall in the Westfjords, the Hundafoss waterfall in South Iceland is part of the Skaftafell Nature Reserve in Vatnajokull National Park. Its name means "Dog Falls" and is said to derive from times when the river swelled and the waterfall swept local farm dogs away. 

You can visit the Hundafoss waterfall on this eight-day self-drive tour, which visits the highlights of the South Coast. The parking lot for the hike is only a couple of minutes from the Ring Road, meaning it's easy to take a quick detour on the way to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon or the town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. 

Photo from Flickr, Creative Commons, by kanbron. No edits made.

What is Hundafoss Waterfall?

Hundafoss waterfall is an easily accessible, beautiful feature most known for its position by several more famous waterfalls.

At 78 feet (about 24 meters) tall, Hundafoss waterfall is taller than its better-known neighbors, Svartifoss and Magnusarfoss. Svartifoss is renowned for the striking basalt columns surrounding its cascade, though Hundafoss waterfall doesn't have these. However, it's still a picturesque attraction worth visiting during your Svartifoss hike.

Where Is Hundafoss Waterfall?

Hundafoss is nestled within the scenic Skaftafell Nature Reserve, part of the larger Vatnajkokull National Park in Southeast Iceland. The reserve is known for its diverse landscapes — it's home to dramatic glaciers, jagged mountains, and lush greenery, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.

Photo from Flickr, Creative Commons, by Lewis Bormann. No edits made.

How to Reach Hundafoss Waterfall?

To reach Hundafoss waterfall, take the Ring Road along the South Coast to the Svartifoss turnoff (Route 998). You'll find the Skaftafell visitor center parking lot here, so park your car and take the hiking walk toward the Svartifoss waterfall. The Hundafoss waterfall is on the way, about one mile (roughly 1.6 kilometers) along the track.

The Svartifoss hike follows a circular route, and you can see the Hundafoss waterfall from the west and east banks. The view from the viewing platform at the top on the east bank is pretty limited, however, as you can only see it from a side angle. Foliage can also block your view of the falls in the summer, so head to the west bank for a clearer view.

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Unukorno. No edits made.

Other Attractions Near the Hundafoss Waterfall

While visiting the Hundafoss waterfall, you can easily see the Magnusarfoss and Svartifoss falls, as they're all on the same hiking loop. However, several other attractions close to Hundafoss are worth visiting.

Skaftafellsjokull Glacier

From the Skaftafell visitor center, you can also hike to the edge of the Skaftafellsjokull glacier. This glacier is an impressive outlet glacier of the larger Vatnajokull ice cap, Iceland's largest glacier.

If you'd prefer a closer look, you could book a guided glacier-hiking tour on the Skaftafellsjokull glacier. Standing on top of the powerful glacial ice is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a must-do activity for visitors to Iceland — marvel at crevasses and snap photographs of the frozen landscape around you.

Hvannadalshnjukur Mountain

Hvannadalshnjukur is Iceland's highest mountain peak and isn't far from the Hundafoss waterfall. Adventurous travelers who want to reach the mountain's peak can book an exciting full-day hike of Hvannadalshnjukur. Summit the mountain with an expert local guide to get a real sense of achievement and soak in the spectacular views.