If you’re like me, you don’t always love the major tourist attractions when you’re on vacation. In general, the most visited spots are most visited for a reason. The major waterfalls in Iceland were beautiful, and I did love to see them. However, I most enjoyed the places that were not as busy, places where I could be alone with the natural wonder. One of the waterfalls that stole my heart was Faxafoss.
Located in the Golden Circle, and easily accessible by car if you’re touring the major landmarks there, Faxafoss is in a quieter area but with much to see and learn. This waterfall was named by poet Stephen G Stephansson because it reminded him of a horse’s mane, or Fax in Icelandic. As you can see, the name fits this waterfall perfectly. You can see Faxafoss from just a short walk on a flat path from the parking lot. Trails wind down the hill, as well, to the base of the falls for up close viewing. There were plenty of spaces for a picnic, photography, or simply relaxing and taking in the fresh air and roar of the falls. The parking lot was large and cost 700 ISK for the day.
As you might notice from the photos, this waterfall features a fish ladder. If you’ve never seen one before, they are quite interesting. This one is used by salmon in the river to help them navigate the falls and reach their spawning grounds. You can walk right up to the ladder, also, so be sure to wear good boots to navigate any mud and rocks on the path.
Another interesting aspect of this area is the tree conservation. Did you know Iceland was once covered in trees? If you’ve been there recently, it is hard to imagine the open land being a forest. Yet, you see signs of the hard work Icelanders have done on replanting the native trees. While Vikings cleared the land for pastures and wood, today, youth groups, non-profit organizations, and the government are creating forests once again. As we drove, we frequently saw trees planted in rows. In our latest video which is coming out this week, you can see some of these efforts. At Faxafoss, we read about a youth organization that began replanting efforts in 1908.
If you’re headed to Iceland, I encourage you to see the Golden Circle, but don’t skip some of the less visited waterfalls. While Gulfoss was huge and impressive, it was also teeming with visitors and tour buses. Faxafoss allowed for a slower pace, introspection, and a moment to breathe and connect with the water, the trees, and the wildlife around us.