Skjálfandafljót

Skjálfandafljót is one of the main rivers in Iceland. It has it origins in Vatnajökull glacier, from which it flows 180km north to its namesake bay Skjálfandi (literal translation “shaking”). It is originally a glacier river but collects clear water tributaries along its way to the sea.

• Hrafnabjargafoss is halfway to Vatnajökull. Quite an impressive waterfall that is difficult to photograph from the ground.

• Ingvararfoss and Aldeyjarfoss are located a few kilometers downstream, within walking distance of each other. The latter is one of the most spectacular locations in Iceland, with the waterfall flowing through a narrow channel, surrounded by basaltic columns, into a large circular pool.

• Goðafoss is one of the main tourist attractions in the northeast part of Iceland. It’s a magnificent waterfall close to the ring road, and very easy to access. In summer it will be absolutely swamped with tourists, especially if there is a cruise ship or two in Akureyri. Just below it there is a small waterfall called Geitafoss.

• A bit further downstream the rivers splits. Barnafoss is in the the west distributary. A bit difficult to photograph, and there’s a salmon ladder that spoils the scene.

Various rivers

• Flateyjardalur is a fascinating location. There is a rough track all the way to the top of Víkurhöfði, from where you can see Flatey island to the north and a ring of mountains to the west, south and east. By the roadside there are small waterfalls in Ófeigsá and in an unnamed river here.

• Svartá is a sizeable river that flows into Skjálfandafljót. It has a nice waterfall Ullarfoss, which is unfortunately marred by some old attempt at power generation. They should remove this unused junk.

• Laxá í Aðaldal is a big salmon-fishing river flowing from Mývatn. Núpafoss is under a road-bridge, and can barely be called a waterfall.