Sight · Vatnajökull National Park
Iceland’s tallest waterfall, usually admired from distant high trails
Overview
Morsárfoss is a recent natural marvel and, at about 240 meters, the tallest known waterfall in Iceland. It appeared as the Morsárjökull outlet glacier receded, cascading down a headwall above the glacier tongue in the Skaftafell area. The setting is raw, icy, and grand—this is a waterfall shaped by ongoing glacial change.
Map
Local know-how
Check in at the Skaftafell visitor area for current trail and visibility advice before committing.
Bring binoculars or a long lens—most views are distant.
Aim for late spring to early autumn and clear skies for the best chance of seeing the falls.
If attempting any glacier approach, hire a certified guide and use proper equipment.
Start early and pack full waterproof layers, food, and water for a full-day outing.
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Vatnajökull Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Vatnajökull National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Manage expectations: most visitors admire Morsárfoss from afar. The most reliable way is to hike high trails out of Skaftafell for elevated sightlines into the Morsárjökull basin. The Kristínartindar peaks are a classic target—roughly 6 km away—offering sweeping vistas where binoculars or a long lens make a big difference. Approaching the base is not a standard hike; it involves glacier travel with objective hazards and should only be attempted with a certified guide and proper equipment.
Expect a full-day outing to reach worthwhile viewpoints in clear weather. Options include traversing the Morsárdalur valley or climbing toward ridgelines above Skaftafell. Trails can be long and strenuous, and conditions (wind, rain, cloud) often dictate whether you’ll see the falls at all. Start early, carry layers, and be ready to pivot if the weather turns.
This terrain is serious. Glacier travel requires crampons, ice tools, and rope systems—and experienced leadership. Even on dry trails, rapid weather changes can shut down views or make footing slick. Check the forecast before committing, and carry waterproof layers, gloves/hat, and sturdy waterproof boots. Pack enough food and water for a full day out.
If cloud or time nix your Morsárfoss plans, Svartifoss is the park’s reliable, close-up waterfall hike from Skaftafell—with great scenery and far less uncertainty.
Wildlife
22 sightingsGrey SealMost seen around 5 AMSighting map
258 sightingsHarbor SealMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
184 sightingsCaribouMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
62 sightingsArctic FoxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
168 sightingsWhooper SwanMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
68 sightingsAtlantic PuffinMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Vatnajökull. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
Parkwolf’s Vatnajökull ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
