Photos: Seljalandsfoss and Hjálparfoss

When it comes to waterfalls in Iceland, Seljalandsfoss routinely cracks most Top 5 lists.

The falls are on the leading southwestern edge of the now-infamous Eyjafjallajökull, and is fed from the Seljalands River that originates higher up the volcano. Thanks to relatively flat land to the west and its 60-meter (179′) height, the falls can be seen from more than 8 kilometers (5 miles) away when approaching from the west on Route 1.

If I have any regrets from our time in Iceland, it was not going behind the falls, even if it was for a combination of reasons. It was the one time all week it rained on us, and I was a bit cautious in after navigating up the narrow stairs with my gear up the falls’ right side only to find a rather uneven, jagged landing (the path is usually closed in the winter). My wife was the only one insured to drive (having only one driver saves money), and did not get a chance to rest after hiking through the lower parts of Gjáin, so she took the opportunity to rest before the drive to Þingvellir.

If we are ever lucky enough to come back, nearby Glijúfrabúi and Skógafoss will be high on the to-do list.

Hjálparfoss is found in the Þjórsárdalur valley, not far from Þjótveldisbærinn. It gets its name (in a roundabout way) from the grass surrounding it.