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Hvolsvollur
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Gluggafoss/Merkjárfoss
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Gluggafoss/Merkjárfoss

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Gluggafoss/Merkjárfoss
4.5
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Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
2 within 6 miles
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21
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4
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
142 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
44
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Owen Thesaints
Kent653 contributions
Off the beaten track
Jun 2022 • Couples
After visiting Seljalandsfoss we went to see Gluggafoss waterfall, recommended by a very helpful receptionist in our hotel. We had to drive back down route 1 before turning off to see the falls. It’s about 17 km from Hvolsvollur on road 261. It was very windy when we arrived. The bottom of the falls was partially obscured by a rock face. Careful climbing beside the falls revealed their full splendour. It was particularly impressive as the water flowed over softer and harder rocks, creating water channels or ‘windows’ rather than a complete flow. There was even a rainbow seen over the splash pool. It was free to park and there were a couple of picnic tables on the short trail. 30-45 minutes should be enough time at this attraction.
Written June 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
marts03
Poughkeepsie, NY95 contributions
Hidden Gem Not Far from the Ring Road
Mar 2022
Although a 20 minute drive off the Ring Road, the "window" waterfall is a nice, quiet gem and worth the visit if you have the time. You'll avoid the crowds at the more popular waterfalls on the Ring Road and be able to walk closer to the falls. Note - there are no facilities at the parking area.
Written March 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RaRaRachelC
Northwich, UK2,525 contributions
I got married here
Oct 2017 • Couples
I've been keeping this place a secret, but over a year later I'm willing to share this lovely place. We got married here. Completely discovered by accident after getting lost trying to find our campsite the night before, we then we're trying to get back on road 1 and were hoping to join what people know as the gravel road (we didn't know this at the time and it almost destroyed the motorhome)!

We had planned to marry at Seljalandsfoss and were on our way there (we hadn't seen it or been to Iceland before), but as we drove through the area, the lambs, the horses, the purple lupins and volcanos in the distance, we felt a connection here. No tourists, relatively unknown and we just knew this was it. A mad panic to sort the paperwork changes and it was done, we got married at 10pm in midnight sun, at Gluggafoss before some amazing pictures afterwards 'along the gravel road's surrounded by lupins, volcanos and amazing scenery. Don't go, don't tell anyone else, it's one of Iceland's hidden gems.
Written October 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robert J
Bow, NH175 contributions
Beautiful Waterfall...off the ring road so less people
Oct 2019 • Couples
If you get off the ring road, you will see much smaller crowds. This waterfall is easy to see with minimal walking. There is an easy climb next to it with some steps. There is off road parking near the base but no restrooms.
Written November 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ourglobewanderers
Golden, CO160 contributions
Few Tourists
Sep 2019
Gluggafoss is a detour off the Ring Road, so it is not as visited as much as the other waterfalls. We were the only people there, and we enjoyed walking up the path and exploring the area around the falls. Gluggafoss means “Window Falls”, named for the soft rock which has eroded near the top creating arches and tunnels. It is also known as Merkjarfoss because it flows from the Merkja River. Afterwards, we had to drive 12 km on a fairly good dirt and gravel road to get back to Route 1.
Written October 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mindy S
Edmonds, WA32 contributions
Incredible!
Aug 2019
Go see this! It's gorgeous! Visit Iceland as soon as you can!! It's truly magical, wonderful, and amazing!
Written August 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nesamoolian
125 contributions
Small but perfect
Apr 2019 • Family
No one around, just you and the falls. Too much of a detour for the tour groups.
Water pours out through open “windows”, hence the name and you walk underneath the lower falls.
Written April 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mustafa V
192 contributions
scenic and relaxing
Feb 2016 • Family
A nice waterfall with very nice surroundings. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
Went with brother and tour guide and have taken some nice pictures of it.
Written February 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alexa H
Madison, WI58 contributions
Fun side road off of ring road
Aug 2015 • Couples
We took a little detour off of ring road in search of Gluggafoss and found much much more! Lush green hills with sheep all over to the right and farms to the left! We found a small hidden park with a little waterfall and rainbows across it and then finally reached Gluggafoss! I would highly recommend this detour. It is mostly paved with a short amount of well groomed gravel when getting back onto ring road!
Written October 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris C
Locking, UK370 contributions
Little visited - highly recommended
Aug 2015 • Couples
Not far from route 1. Take 261 east from Hvolsvollur and the falls are on the left after a couple of miles. Rather confusingly the falls are known as Gluggafoss and also Merkjarfoss. This little visited spot wasn't on our original plan but we took the detour on the recommendation of our Jeep guide from the excellent Tinna Adventure (see my other reviews). The waterfall isn't particularly wide but has one outstanding feature. At one point (after the fall starts) the water disappears into a vertical tunnel. A local secret that really should be seen by more travellers.
Written September 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Gluggafoss/Merkjárfoss (Hvolsvollur) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Gluggafoss/Merkjárfoss
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