Merkjárfoss, Tiered waterfall near Hella, Iceland
Merkjárfoss consists of two main sections, with the upper cascade falling 44 meters into a narrow recess and a second drop of 8.5 meters.
The 1947 Hekla volcano eruption filled the tunnels of Merkjárfoss with volcanic ash, limiting the visibility of the waterfall for several decades.
The waterfall stands in Fljótshlíð, an area mentioned in the medieval Njálssaga where the character Gunnar lived at the nearby Hlíðarendi farm.
Visitors can reach Merkjárfoss by turning off Ring Road 1 onto Road 261, with parking facilities available 17 kilometers from the town of Hvolsvöllur.
The soft palagonite rock formation creates window-like openings through which water flows, giving the waterfall its alternative name, Gluggafoss.
GPS coordinates: 63.72131,-19.89224
Latest update: March 15, 2025 09:38
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