Faxifoss

Golden Circle

Faxifoss — also called Faxi or Vatnsleysufoss — spreads about 80 meters across the Tungufljót river and drops roughly 7 meters over a single broad basalt ledge, producing a wide rolling curtain rather than the tall plunge falls most people associate with Iceland. It sits just off Route 35 about 12 km south of Geysir, with a short flat walk from the parking area to the riverbank. Most Golden Circle itineraries skip it entirely, which means you often have the place to yourself. The practical draw is the fish ladder built into the right bank. During summer, Atlantic salmon and sea trout working upstream are visible from the viewing area — one of the more accessible spots in Iceland to watch live salmon migration without permits or queues. The stop fits naturally into a Golden Circle day: drive south from Geysir, look for the signed turn off Route 35, and budget 20–30 minutes. There is a small parking area, no entry fee, and the ground is easy underfoot. The width of the falls is genuinely striking up close in a way that is hard to appreciate at distance.

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