Þjófafoss

South Coast

Þjófafoss spreads wide and low across the Þjórsá — Iceland's longest river — forming a horseshoe shape rather than plunging straight down. The drop is modest, around 10 to 15 meters, but the width during high flow can reach 50 meters or more, and the plateau bulk of Búrfell rising directly behind makes it one of the most photogenic waterfall compositions in the country. The name means "Thieves' Waterfall," referring to the medieval practice of executing thieves by drowning in the pool below. The falls are significantly shaped by modern infrastructure: the Búrfell hydroelectric station diverts much of the river's flow, so the volume varies considerably by season. Flow tends to be strongest in late summer when the reservoir spills. Access is via Route 26 through Þjórsárdalur; a signed gravel track branches left roughly 70 kilometers from the Ring Road junction and runs about 4 kilometers to a small parking area. The walk from the car is short. The road is paved to the junction, gravel after, and manageable in a regular car in summer. Allow about 30 minutes for the visit.

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