Viking Hiking
Glymur Waterfall
The mighty Glymur waterfall is the second highest waterfall in the country at 198m! It drops impressively into a narrow gorge filled with mosses, steep rocks and often lots of birds. The hike starts only about 45 minutes drive outside of Reykjavík.
The hike up Glymur waterfall in West Iceland is a beautiful and challenging trek that takes you through stunning scenery and past a massive waterfall. The trail begins at a parking area near the Hvalfjörður tunnel and follows a river through a narrow canyon. The first part of the hike is relatively easy, but it quickly becomes more challenging as the trail becomes steeper and more rugged. As you continue, you'll pass by a series of smaller waterfalls before reaching the base of the towering Glymur waterfall. The final ascent to the top of the waterfall is steep and can be slippery, but the view from the top is well worth the effort. The hike takes about 3-4 hours to complete, depending on your fitness level, and it is recommended that you bring plenty of water and snacks to fuel your journey.
Relatively near to the start, there is a log that needs to be crossed so you can access the hike on the east side, from which you can actually see the falls. It's quite an advanced hike that will involve some scrambling and steep passages, so good shoes are key!
The views into the "whale fjord" out west are spectacular and change with every meter you gain. At the top, you can decide to descend the same way, or cross the river again by foot - somewhat challenging in cold water and a slippery river bed. The descend on the west side is a bit stony and also asks you to tread carefully.
Close to the waterfall, there is no tourist infrastructure, the next town is Akranes about 20km away.
hike
type
3-4 h
duration
6 km
distance
4/5
difficulty
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temperature
Conditions
Weather today
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Forecast
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Road conditions
Easily passable
Details
duration
3-4 h
distance
6 km
difficulty
4/5 - Challenging ascents with some scrambling and steep sections. Two river crossing, partially unmarked descent.
tourist density
moderate
Nearby
Toilets
Hotel Glymur, Skólasetursvegur 5010, Island
Supermarkets
Bónus, Smiðjuvellir 32, 300 Akranes, Iceland
Supermarkets
Krónan, Dalbraut 1, Akranes, Iceland
Hotels and camp grounds
Hotel Glymur, Skólasetursvegur 5010, Island
Location
(Nearest) address
Engihalli 9, Engihjalli, Kópavogur, Iceland
Accessiblity
Near a paved road, driving on gravel road for 2 km.
GPS Coordinates
64.383056, -21.265417
Distance to Reykjavík
Reykjavík is 71 km away. It takes about 70 minutes (or 1.2 hours) to drive by car.
Distance to nearest town
Akranes is the nearest city at 43 km distance. It takes about 40 minutes (or 0.7 hours) to drive by car.
Parking
Summary
Large gravel parking spot, the route starts at the lot. No other infrastructure in place!
Way to start of hike
hike on gravel path
GPS Coordinates
64.385111, -21.293278
Google Maps Plus Code
99PW9PP4+2M
Capacity
around 100
Security
none
Alternative
none
Costs
free
Tips for visiting
Recommended Car Type
the last part of the road is a gravel road, but it's accessible to a normal car, no 4x4-drive needed
Don't miss
Crossing the river at the top of the hike - but be aware of the slippery and sharp rocks.
Recommended Equipment
Towel, rubber shoes for the river crossing, hiking poles
Photo Opportunities
Plenty along the way, especially westwards over the Hvalfjorður
Do's and don't
Look out for the weather, the river might not be passable after strong rains. Stay on the paths, take enough to drink and eat, don't leave trash behind.
Things to watch out for
Complicated crossing over a river on a big log at the bottom. Complicated crossing of river behind the waterfall without any guidance! Paths might be steep and slippery on gravel.