Bunarfoss Waterfall Travel Guide

Bunárfoss in Tungudalur.

Bunárfoss (Icelandic: Bunárfoss, "the falls of the Buná stream") is a series of cascades on the Buná in Tungudalur, the green valley at the head of Skutulsfjörður just outside Ísafjörður. It runs beside Tunguskógur, a well-kept planted forest, which is why some tours call it Tunguskógur Waterfall.

A short walk from the end of the road brings you to the falls.

Key Takeaways About Bunárfoss

• Cascading waterfall on the Buná stream in the Tunguskógur forest, Tungudalur valley
• About 4 km from central Ísafjörður; a few hundred metres' walk from the car park
• Tunguskógur was first planted in 1950 by the Ísafjörður Forestry Association
• About 414 km (around 6 hours) from Reykjavík via Route 60
• Free to visit; best from late May to September

Why visit Bunárfoss

Bunárfoss is a chain of cascades on the Buná stream, tumbling down a steep, rocky gully at the edge of Tunguskógur, a planted forest in the Tungudalur valley. It is only about 4 km from the centre of Ísafjörður, so it's one of the easiest nature stops in the Westfjords.

Tour operators often call it "Tunguskógur Waterfall" after the forest around it. It isn't a big or famous waterfall, but the setting is unusual for Iceland: tall spruce and pine, green slopes and white water within a short walk of the car.

The Westfjords tourist board calls Tungudalur "the playground of Ísafjörður". The valley holds the town's campsite, a full-size golf course, many summer houses and the town's ski centre, as well as the forest and the falls.

Tunguskógur forest and the valley's history

Tunguskógur belongs to the Ísafjörður Forestry Association. The first recorded planting was in 1950, when 3,500 Scots pines went into a fenced plot of about 3 ha. Planting continued through the 1950s and 1960s with Sitka spruce, Siberian larch, Norway spruce, lodgepole pine and mountain pine, and later birch and willow.

Tunguskógur forest in December. Photo: Greipur, CC BY-SA 4.0

The valley also has a hard history. On 5 April 1994 a very large avalanche started on Breiðafell, crossed Seljalandsdalur and fell into the summer-house area in Tungudalur. According to the Icelandic Met Office, it destroyed 40 summer houses in the valley and the ski lodge and four lifts on Seljalandsdalur above it, and one man died.

How to get to Bunárfoss

Bunárfoss is about 414 km from Reykjavík, a drive of around 6 hours. Take Route 1 north to Borgarnes and beyond, then Route 60 through the Westfjords to Ísafjörður. A longer alternative uses Route 61 along Ísafjarðardjúp; it's about 457 km and takes closer to 6.5 hours.

From Ísafjörður town centre, follow Route 61 (Skutulsfjarðarbraut) west along the fjord for about 2.5 km. Turn right onto Skógarbraut toward the campsite and golf course, then follow the Tunguskógur road to its end. The drive takes under 10 minutes, and there's a small car park with signs and trails.

The falls are a few hundred metres' walk from the end of the road. A path climbs beside the stream for closer views; the upper part is steep, with a rope to hold in places.

No car? The falls are within walking distance of Ísafjörður, and an Ísafjörður shore excursion and two bike tours stop here (see below).

When to visit

Late May to September is best, when the forest is green, the paths are clear of snow and the shore excursion that stops here runs (May to August).

Tungudalur in autumn. Photo: Greipur, CC BY-SA 4.0

In winter the valley is snowy and becomes the town's ski area. The slopes above Tungudalur are avalanche terrain, so check conditions with locals and on vedur.is before walking here in winter.

Tips for your visit

• Wear shoes with good grip. The rocks by the stream are slippery when wet, and the upper path is steep.
• Allow 30 to 60 minutes to see the falls and walk a little way into the woods.
• Summer houses line parts of the valley; stay on public paths and respect private plots.
• Combine the stop with a walk through town; see our list of things to do in Ísafjörður.