Yes, I love travel and scenic locations, particularly Iceland, which remains my top choice for landscapes. And there’s no ignoring Skogafoss!
It seems like this series of posts has been well-traveled over the past number of months (use tag to travel). There are just so many great places and people to visit on this planet of ours! For pure landscape, I’ll admit that Iceland is still tops on my list!
Here’s another magnificent moment in Iceland…
Skogafoss Rainbow
Skogafoss is a stunning waterfall in this land of many great waterfalls. It’s also visited quite a bit, as its location is close to the ring road and not too far from Reykjavik. Every time that I come here, the waterfall presents itself in a unique way for that day, varying based on time of year, rainfall, melt-off, and many other factors.
A visit to Skogafoss, a stunning waterfall in any season and just purely majestic in the frozen landscape.
Another day for a visit to the stunning landscape brought to you by Iceland. I know that I have said it myself, as it seems impossible to look anywhere and not see a waterfall. Waterfalls are a key feature of the Icelandic vista and many of them are just simply stunning to behold!
Here is today’s waterfall…
Skogafoss Winter Wonderland
Skogafoss is a phenomenal waterfall in its own right, and it’s easily accessible with a short walk from ample parking. After arriving in Vik on our first day in Iceland, we went for a short afternoon exploration; given the overnight flight, a short nap had been restorative, so our energy was back.
February weather was a bit overcast, but I could see some potential sunlight, so we stopped at Skogafoss. With micro-spikes on shoes, tripods at the ready and cameras in hand we approached the waterfall. We were rewarded with some light from the sky behind us, which provided warmth across the frozen landscape.
Yes, the drawback to accessibility is that there is nearly always a crowd, so I used them to provide a sense of scale. Also, look up high on the rocks to the right of the waterfall, where there is an observation platform!
This image is certainly one of those classic captures (at least it is in my collection).
Two aspects of the magnificent Skogafoss waterfall, each majestic in its own essence.
Prior to my February journey to Iceland I had visited the land of Fire & Ice during the Summer. The transformation of the landscape between Summer and Winter is truly breathtaking!
Here is an example of the Skogafoss waterfall, as I experienced it in August of 2022:
Skogafoss with Double Rainbow
The moss on the rocks is a warm green from being in an ideal growing environment combination of moisture and almost never-ending light. The waterfall is providing a great volume of water, as there is plenty of melt from Eyjafallajokull and Myrdalsjokull, the two glaciers that feed the Skoga river.
Winter’s metamorphosis of Skogafoss creates a completely difference sense of place and emotion:
Icy Skogafoss in February
Much of the waterfall’s volume is reduced, as the glaciers are stocking up on snow and ice to take on the return of warmer days; the ice formations are now an integral part of Skogafoss, having captured a goodly portion of the water as it tried to pass by. Nevertheless, Skogafoss’ tell-tale spray persists during this chilling days, although the Sun’s light does not impinge on it at an angle to produce a glorious rainbow.
Both times of year produce a spectacular landscape, each of which draw me in to come back more often and experience the breadth of Iceland’s offerings.
