Quick Facts
Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 268′ / 82 m
Hike: not applicable
The Record
When I first prepared to share this waterfall, I nearly labeled it Krossarfoss, but after a bit of digging, the mystery of its name became much clearer. While another, much lesser-known waterfall by that name exists elsewhere, this beautiful feature is officially known as Foss á Síðu. It is also frequently referred to by locals as Hamrafoss, so you might see it labeled either way on modern maps.
If you are driving along the southern portion of Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1), Foss á Síðu is almost impossible to miss—it sits right against the cliffs, practically demanding your attention. While I don’t recall a specific dedicated parking lot at the time, various pull-offs along the Ring Road allow you to stop and admire the view safely. On the day I visited, the Icelandic weather was in rare form; the wind was so powerful that it was blowing the water a good 10 to 15 feet off its “normal” path. Looking back at my photos, you can actually see the entire waterfall swaying back and forth in the gale.
It is a truly spectacular sight, especially when the wind turns the falling water into a dancing veil. The sheer ease of visiting, combined with the dramatic backdrop of the basalt cliffs, makes it a must-see. In my book, any waterfall this beautiful that requires zero hiking is a guaranteed win for any Icelandic road trip.
Directions
- Drive along the Ring Road. If you’re heading east, you will pass Roads 203 and 202 (in that order). After passing road 202, drive a few more kilometers, and then you’ll see the falls to your left. Google has a “location” for this on Google Maps, so you could search for that.
Waterfall Record 
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