Waterfall of the Gods

September 19, 2025 -- Goðafoss is a historic waterfall along the Ring Road in North Iceland. It is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland. It is fed by the river Skjálfandafljót which runs in a 7000-year-old lava field from the Trölladyngja volcano.

Waterfall of the Gods

One of Iceland's biggest waterfalls

Goðafoss Waterfall is nicknamed the “Waterfall of the Gods.” Some believe that the name comes from the fact that the waterfall is god-like in beauty. However, an old Icelandic legend tells the tale of the waterfall’s name through a Viking leader named Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði.Þorgeir is said to have had  thrown his Pagan statues into the waterfall, resulting in its name. 

Watch a video of the falls

Geitafoss

Along the river

Pathway

Viewpoint

Geitafoss is a smaller waterfall located about 656 feet meters downstream from the more famous Goðafoss on the Skjálfandafljót River. The falls drop 18-feet in a churning chute adjacent to a partially formed natural arch in the adjoining cliff wall. Given the size of the Skjálfandafljót, it's quite likely that during periods of flooding this waterfall gets largely swallowed up as the depth of the river increases within the gorge - the water below the falls will have nowhere to go but up.

Geitafoss

Video of Geitafoss

Skjálfandafljót River

Steps down

The Goðafoss pedestrian bridge in Iceland spans the Skjálfandafljót river, connecting the east and west sides of the Goðafoss waterfall for visitors. 

Pedestrian bridge

Snow flakes

Rock outcrops

Pretty pink flowers

Another shot of the bridge

Rock formation

White blossoms