Kerafoss, Iceland

I’ve visited Iceland three times now, so I can say with some certainty that Kerafoss is not the most exciting waterfall in/on Iceland. There are others that are far taller, wider, and more voluminous. But there’s something magical about being at a waterfall when no one else is there.

Iceland has a lot of those opportunities. There are those sites, including waterfalls, that are wildly busy in Iceland. They’re often very beautiful waterfalls. I don’t remember Dettifoss being that busy in 2012, but in 2024, it was definitely more visited. Kerafoss, on the other hand…you’re likely to have it to yourself. I was traveling with others, and one friend said it was a favorite spot since no one was around. You could explore, and while other cars were not far, there was still a sense of isolation.

You don’t have to worry much about falling extremely far here, and it reveals Iceland’s hidden charm. Walking from Kerafoss to Kerholsfoss a few hundred yards away, you can walk on a path surrounded by natural vegetation. You can see the effects of humankind at Kerafoss…there’s a fish ladder built throughout the waterfall, and yet at the same time it’s done in a way that blends into the landscape more than you might think. Iceland is one of those places where we seem to coexist with the harsh elements of nature and yet not dominate it.

Directions:

1. You’re not far from the Ring Road, Road 1. I’m not sure how helpful it is to provide any cities. There aren’t any major destinations, towns, or villages nearby. I’ve attached the map below.
2. If you’re heading north on the Ring Road, you’d take a right onto Road 715 (Víðidalsvegur). After about 0.6 miles, you’ll cross over a bridge spanning the river. Shortly after that, you’ll turn left onto an unnamed dirt road heading north.
3. You can safely drive on the road, though there were a few large rocks that would benefit from a higher clearance vehicle. After 0.4 miles or so, we came to an area where we parked. I would guess some rock quarrying occurs there. You’ll be surrounded by some large piles of rock.
4. After parking, head toward the river. There was a path. Heading downriver gives you some views of small drops, while heading uphill gives you a “grander” view of the falls.

Accessibility: 9/10 (easy)
Height: 15′
Length of Hike: 0.2-miles round-trip

Where in the World is Kerafoss?