Glymur, Waterfall in Botnsdalur Valley, Iceland.
Glymur is a waterfall in Botnsdalur Valley that drops around 190 meters along the Botnsá River through a narrow canyon. The water falls in powerful streams that are visible from several viewpoints along the hiking route.
This waterfall held the title of Iceland's highest for many decades before the discovery of Morsárfoss near Vatnajökull glacier in 2011. That finding shifted the ranking of the country's tallest cascades.
The trail to this waterfall passes through a cave and uses traditional rope-assisted river crossings that reflect how Icelanders navigate this landscape. Visitors experience the same route methods that have been used by locals for generations.
The hiking route is around 7.4 kilometers long and takes about 4 hours total, with summer months from June to September offering the safest conditions. During these warmer months, the paths dry out and river levels are lower, making crossings more manageable.
The southern hiking path brings you close to the cascades where you can watch water plunge down moss-covered rock faces in the canyon. This route reveals the raw power of the waterfall from a few meters away.
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