Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall, Snæfellsnes Peninsula

4.4 (13 reviews)
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Charlotte
Charlotte B.
Sep 07, 2026
Easy to get to from parking lot. Looks like a monitor background
L
Leslie C.
Jul 01, 2026
Quick stop to admire the mountain and waterfall but totally worth it.
Sue
Sue F.
Oct 13, 2025
Beautiful waterfall! The mountain next to it is also amazing!
E & A
E & A G.
Jul 20, 2025
The view! Wow! This is a must see on the peninsula!
Rick
Rick Y.
Jun 12, 2025
This was a must see and the photo you see in brochures is the real deal.
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Overview

Visit the Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall, one of the most photographed scenes in Iceland, thanks to its beautiful backdrop featuring Kirkjufell Mountain. Set on the north side of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula near the town of Grundarfjörður, the waterfall is just about 2.5 hours from Reykjavik. A parking lot and trails sit off the main road and lead straight to the most popular viewing point, passing several smaller cascades and crossing the Old Bridge.

Kirkjufell means "church." Many believe the mountain resembles a church as it sits behind the waterfalls with its steeple-like narrow peak pointing toward the sky. However, Danish sailors who passed by the hill referred to it as sukkertoppen, meaning "the sugar top."

The walk to the viewing point is relatively short and easy. If you want to increase the challenge, you can actually climb Kirkjufell Mountain! It's a very steep and challenging hike, so it's best to hire a guide to lead you. 

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Traveler photos
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Traveler reviews

13 total ratings, 10 with reviews
4.4
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.5
Tony
Tony B.
Washington D.C., DC, USA | Reviewed on Oct 03, 2026

A beautiful sight though Iceland weather wasn't presenting the most beautiful views the one day we had available to see it on the way to the west coast. No regrets including it in our itinerary.

Tips for future travelers

There is a pullout on the main road leading to the site from town that was free parking and had a great view of the mountain and some info plaques (see attached).

J
Jim W.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 27, 2026
If it’s already on your route, it’s worth a quick stop, but in my opinion it doesn’t stand out the way the other waterfalls we visited did. Read more

If it’s already on your route, it’s worth a quick stop, but in my opinion it doesn’t stand out the way the other waterfalls we visited did.

Quality of Experience
Charlotte
Charlotte B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Sep 07, 2026
Easy to get to from parking lot. Looks like a monitor background Read more

Easy to get to from parking lot. Looks like a monitor background

Quality of Experience
G
Gwendolyn W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 06, 2026
It was very rainy and windy when we got there. The view was still great since it was our first stop. Read more

It was very rainy and windy when we got there. The view was still great since it was our first stop.

Tips for future travelers

Just beware of parking. It wasn't in the Parka app and we got fined for picking the wrong lot.

Quality of Experience
L
Leslie C.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jul 01, 2026
Quick stop to admire the mountain and waterfall but totally worth it. Read more

Quick stop to admire the mountain and waterfall but totally worth it.

Quality of Experience
Judy
Judy D.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Mar 23, 2026

This was our first experience with paying for parking. There are cameras so important to pay! We found the machine in lot much easier to use than app.

Sue
Sue F.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025
Beautiful waterfall! The mountain next to it is also amazing! Read more

Beautiful waterfall! The mountain next to it is also amazing!

Quality of Experience
J
Julie G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 24, 2025
Tips for future travelers Be aware that the walkway down is steep and can be slippery. Be aware of the tide coming in as it will cover the gravel area where you want to stand for the best view. Read more
Tips for future travelers

Be aware that the walkway down is steep and can be slippery. Be aware of the tide coming in as it will cover the gravel area where you want to stand for the best view.

Quality of Experience
E & A
E & A G.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2025
The view! Wow! This is a must see on the peninsula! Read more

The view! Wow! This is a must see on the peninsula!

Tips for future travelers

You won’t get wet.

Quality of Experience
Rick
Rick Y.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 12, 2025
This was a must see and the photo you see in brochures is the real deal. Read more

This was a must see and the photo you see in brochures is the real deal.

Tips for future travelers

Don't forget to pay for the parking.

Quality of Experience
My daughter wanted to check this out because it was featured on Game of Thrones. Glad we did.

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Itineraries with Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall

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Snæfellsnes Peninsula Experiences

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