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Hunt for Viking Gold Behind Skogafoss Waterfall in Iceland
Published on February 02, 2010 by Susan Furber, Writer
Country: Iceland 
The Experience
The Skogafoss (pronounced “skou.a fos”) waterfall suddenly appeared from the road as we drove through the barren but illuminated landscape of southern Iceland. At 60 metres high and 25 metres wide, it is easily visible from the road; and audible too. Due to the amount of spray that the Skogafoss waterfall produces, a single or double rainbow is often visible on sunny days. Even on an overcast winter’s day, when the sun is hiding, the misty powerful white sheets of glass are just as impressive, and make for a great waterfall photo.
According to legend, the first Viking settler in the area, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a chest filled with gold coins in a cave behind the Skogafoss waterfall. A local boy found the chest years later, but was only able to grasp the ring on the side of the chest before it disappeared again.
At the eastern side of the Skogafoss waterfall, a hiking trail leads up to the Fimmvörðuháls pass, between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. It goes down to Þórsmörk on the other side and continues as the famous Laugavegur to Landmannalaugar. There are many beautiful waterfalls around the world—in the rainforests of Australia, on the Zambia/Zimbabwe border, in the fjords of Norway to name a few, but Iceland definitely astonishes with a compact and powerful Icelandic waterfall to entrance and entice visitors.
According to legend, the first Viking settler in the area, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a chest filled with gold coins in a cave behind the Skogafoss waterfall. A local boy found the chest years later, but was only able to grasp the ring on the side of the chest before it disappeared again.
At the eastern side of the Skogafoss waterfall, a hiking trail leads up to the Fimmvörðuháls pass, between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. It goes down to Þórsmörk on the other side and continues as the famous Laugavegur to Landmannalaugar. There are many beautiful waterfalls around the world—in the rainforests of Australia, on the Zambia/Zimbabwe border, in the fjords of Norway to name a few, but Iceland definitely astonishes with a compact and powerful Icelandic waterfall to entrance and entice visitors.
Get Going!
Because Iceland is so close to the Arctic Circle, the amount of daylight varies dramatically by season. The best time of the year to visit Skogafoss waterfall is generally in the summer months, as this is when daylight hours are at their peak.
However, for photographers, as long as you are willing to take a bit of a risk with the weather, the autumn months provide some great light conditions and potentially some fantastic opportunities to photograph the snow and ice, and obtain some amazing waterfall photos.
However, for photographers, as long as you are willing to take a bit of a risk with the weather, the autumn months provide some great light conditions and potentially some fantastic opportunities to photograph the snow and ice, and obtain some amazing waterfall photos.
Odds n' Ends
If you intend to photograph in this beautiful region, ensure that you come prepared for the elements. Weather conditions can change very dramatically, and as well as preparing for the cold, ensure you also prepare for windy and sunny conditions. Many of the excellent locations are only accessible with a good 4WD vehicle, and it is recommended that a local guide or an organized tour is used for access to some of the more remote and less accessible areas (especially in the autumn/winter months).
Want a Guide?
- Ocean capture adventures
- A photographic tour which covers the southern coastline and take in some stunning and different locations. This course is run by Jonathan Chritchley, as part of his Ocean capture photographic workshops, worldwide tours and this tour is highly recommended for photographic enthusiasts.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Hotel Borg
- Hotel Borg combines old time elegance with modern style in the centre of Reykjavik, Icelands capital. The four star Hotel Borg is a showcase of sophistication
- Hótel Rangá
- The only 4 star resort in South Iceland. Hotel Rangá offers serenity, luxury, and relaxation all year around. Perfectly located close to South Iceland's main attractions, activities, adventures, and historic places. Hotel Rangá's picturesque surroundings offer view of the famous Mt. Hekla to the North, a range of mountains and glaciers to the North-East, and of the Westman Islands to the South. 51 cozy and luxurious rooms, including a Master Royal Suite, and newly opened suites in "The World Pavilion". Acclaimed gourmet restaurant with riverside setting.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
The Hotel Dyrholaey is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Vik.All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in ... 14 miles away
$24551 ISK+
Benefiting from a superb location on the south coast of Iceland, the convenient Hotel Edda Vik i Myrdal with a 9-hole golf course is a ... 17 miles away
$16298 ISK+
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More Experiences Nearby
- Witness the Power of Iceland's Erupting Eyjafjallajökull Volcano
- The first thing you notice standing in front of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano is the sound. It lets out a steady low rumble that sounds like thunder rolling, and every now and then, releases a loud roar that sends shock waves bouncing up through the smoke above it. Standing there, listening to its groans and watching the smoke pour into the sky, it’s a constant reminder of just how small you are when compared to the power that lays beneath the earth. Despite its name, the land in Iceland is hot. The country has over 200 active volcanoes, fields of still-smoking ...8 miles away.
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