Iceland – Gljúfrabúi

Part of a series of posts about my travel in Iceland, including visits to eleven waterfalls.

After a morning visit to Seljalandsfoss, I hopped in the car and plugged in the address for Gljúfrabúi waterfall, which I knew to be nearby.  Little did I know, it is in walking distance!  Back to the same carpark I went, and re-donned my now-familiar waterfall kit: parka, rainpants, sandals, and waterproof hat.  I followed the trail along the cliff face, passing several other unnamed waterfalls that, in New Hampshire, would be worthy of a name and a carpark all their own… but here are just a sideshow to the massive Seljalandsfoss and the mysterious Gljúfrabúi (officially known as Gljúfurárfoss).  The trail to Gljúfrabúi then dives into a narrow cleft in the cliff – one could almost overlook it. Read on!

After a twist and a turn, just a few meters later, the ravine widens slightly and ends in a round room.  The room is dominated by the waterfall, pounding down from a narrow spot of sky above, creating its own wind that sprays everything (and everyone) in reach.   It was very difficult to get clear photos here, because the space was small and dark, and the spray quickly coated my lens.  Any long-exposure shot was doomed to be speckled with water drops.   After much trial and error, I have only one worthy of sharing.

To really get a sense for the place, though, you must watch the seven-second video, which is included in the gallery with the other photos above.

Reference: I learned about this place from a guidebook, Photographing Iceland, by Einar Guðmann and Gyða Henningsdóttir; translated by Abigail Charlotte Cooper. JTV útgáfa 2019.