The water curve
White water between dark walls.
Bernard Barsalo from Kirkland, Canada — CC BY 4.0 · Chensiyuan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christof46 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Tord Dellsen — CC0 · Hansueli Krapf This file was uploaded with Commonist. — CC BY-SA 3.0 · patano — CC BY-SA 3.0
Goðafoss is a wide waterfall in northern Iceland, right on the Ring Road at the junction with the highland route, which makes it one of the country's easiest big falls to visit. The Skjálfandafljót river drops in a curve 30 metres wide from a height of only 12 metres, yet its open setting makes it one of the finest sights in the north. Its name is debated and can be read as waterfall of the gods or of the chieftain. A famous story says the chieftain Þorgeir threw his statues of Norse gods into it after Iceland adopted Christianity around 1000. The story does not appear in old sources, however, and seems to be a nineteenth-century invention. One place-name expert suggests the name comes from two crags that resemble idols. White water stands before you between dark basalt walls, with a rock dividing the flow. Paths on both banks bring you near the edge, and the river runs a blue-green colour in summer. A loop trail of about 3 km goes around the area. In winter snow and ice surround the rims, and the scene looks entirely different. The falls are 26.4 km in a straight line east of Akureyri, about 45 minutes by car. Parking is very close, so it suits a short stop. Rims are slippery in winter, so keep to the paths and do not cross the ropes. Spray soaks clothes and cameras, so bring a jacket. It fits into one day with Lake Mývatn.
White water between dark walls.
Paths close to the edge.
About 3 km around the falls.
Ring Road, east of Akureyri, north Iceland
It is absent from old sources and seems to date from the nineteenth century.
Yes, but rims are slippery, so keep to the paths.