Skógar

Skógar is a small village with a population of roughly 25 at the south end of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier in South Iceland. The area is known for its waterfall, Skógafoss.

Understand

Church of Skogar

See

• 1 Skógafoss is 60 m tall and 25 m wide and comes from the river of Skógá. The falls have been protected since 1987. Access to the falls is open all year round and there is no admission. A trail leads to the top of the falls (via metal stairs to the right of the waterfall) and up the Skógá river valley. This trail eventually ascends all the way to the Fimmvörðuháls pass between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers before descending to Þórsmörk; the complete hike from Skógar to Þórsmörk generally takes two days. Day hikers can follow this trail as far as they like along the Skógá river, they will be rewarded with views of more than a dozen waterfalls.
• 2 Skógar Folk Museum, Skogasafn 1 (Museum Way), ☏ +354 487 8845, booking@skogasafn.is. June - August: 09:00 - 18:00, September - May: 10:00 – 17:00, closed 24-25 Dec and 1 Jan. It houses a large collection of antique and historical artifacts. The museum is stretched over a large area, with 13 houses standing on the museum grounds. Adult 2500 kr, student or senior 1800 kr, child 12 - 17 years 1500 kr, family 6,000 kr (two adults and children 17 years old and younger), children under 12 (accompanied by adult) free. (updated Mar 2024)
• 3 Kvernufoss is a waterfall nearby the more famous sibling, far less visited, but no less picturesque. Just 10 minutes from the car parking.
• 4 Seljalandsfoss - one of South Iceland's many falls, falling off a 60 m high cliff. Its biggest attraction is the pathway leading to behind the falls. Access to the falls is free and open year round. There are no services at the falls, besides a picnic table and a public bathroom.

Do

• 1 Fimmvörðuháls – a popular hiking trail, from Skógar to Þórsmörk, between Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. Eyjafjallajökull erupted in 2010 sending an ash cloud across Europe. Shortly before that eruption, Fimmvörðuháls erupted, causing the trail to be closed for a while. It is now completely safe again, and has the added attraction of seeing brand new landscapes.
• Take a swim at the 2 Seljavallalaug swimming pool (from Ring Road, head west past Skógar and turn to Road 242; follow the sign to Seljavallalaug and park at the parking lot. Follow the hiking trail to the pool). 24 hours. It is one of the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. The pool is heated by geothermal water and has a small changeroom. The view and experience are great. free. (updated Dec 2023)

Eat

• Freya Café, inside the Technical Museum at Skógar Museum, ☏ +354 835 9534, freyacafeis@gmail.com. It specializes in homemade food and pastries with a variety of breakfast and lunch options including burgers, fish and chips, vegan and much more. (updated Mar 2024)