East Or West
Godafoss, one of the more spectacular waterfalls easily accessible from Iceland’s famous Ring Road (Route 1) and about 30 minutes east of Akureyri, can be viewed from either side of the Skjálfandafljót River, on which the cascade lies.
Godafoss East or West? If you have limited time, you will want to weight the pros and cons of each side to figure out how to optimize your time!
Views you get from each side, as well as the parking and facilities are different. Expand the Godafoss map below to view both sides, Godafoss East and Godafoss West.
Planning to view the waterfall? Visit our Godafoss Waterfall home page for the complete rundown on every single detail!
Godafoss East Side
East Side of Godafoss Views
Views from the east side of Godafoss are spectacular, and most consider views from here to be far superior to what you get on the west side.
The hiking trail off the parking lot takes you to two vantage points where you can get an almost full frontal view of the magnificent Godafoss in all its glory!
You can either head to the top to a viewing platform or down the river where you get wonderful views of the cascading water.
The trail is small and can be slippery, so be careful!
East Side of Godafoss Parking and Facilities
The parking lot, trails and viewing platforms on the east side are not as well developed as the west side, but you will find fewer crowds here.
Hotel Godafoss & Restaurant, a café bistro and souvenir shop are available on the east side (near the pedestrian bridge), and you will find restrooms here.
Prefer the east side if you want better views and fewer crowds.
Godafoss West Side
West Side of Godafoss Views
The west side of Godafoss is almost directly off the Ring Road (see map above), and is the most commonly visited.
The viewing platform is closer to the waterfalls, and the thunderous roar of the large volume of water cascading over the rocks is awe-inspiring.
You get clear views of the water tumbling down the rocky cliffs and of Hrutey, a rocky outcrop dividing the falls.
West Side of Godafoss Parking and Facilities
The parking lot on the west side is bigger and most tour buses stop here.
The viewing platform is newly built with safety barriers, and benches are available along the well-maintained, mostly flat, 400-meter trail for seniors needing frequent breaks.
Prefer the west side if you are seeking easy access and convenience.
Pedestrian Bridge Connecting East & West Sides
A convenient pedestrian bridge over the river connects the east and west sides, for those who want to experience both views.
You can also choose to drive from one parking lot to the other.