Morsárfoss

Southeast

Morsárfoss became visible around 2007 when retreating Morsárjökull, an outlet of the Vatnajökull ice cap, uncovered a cliff face and exposed Iceland's tallest waterfall. The confirmed drop is at least 228 meters — exact measurement has always been difficult because the glacier above continues to calve unpredictably. Reaching a viewpoint requires a roughly 12 km round-trip hike from the Skaftafell Visitor Center along the Kristínartindar trail. The route takes four to five hours and is rated expert: strenuous and remote terrain. From the ridgeline you look across the Morsá valley to the falls dropping down dark basalt below the glacier snout. Binoculars or a telephoto lens are worth bringing. Reaching the actual base involves crossing active glacier with crampons and an ice axe — an undertaking only for experienced mountaineers with a guide. The waterfall is within Vatnajökull National Park and free to visit. Snow lingers on the upper trail into early June, making late June through August the practical window. Skaftafell has a campsite, café, and national park ranger station at the trailhead.

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