Skogar and Skogafoss

150 km from Reykjavík down the famed Road number 1 lies the small village of Skogar and its 30 inhabitants. The village takes its name from the landscape that used to exist there, as it means “forest” in Icelandic.

This typical Icelandic village is a village like any other, but this one became a bit of a tourist hotspot being so easy to access, and home to the impressive and picturesque Skogafoss waterfall, of course, but it is also popular for its museum and hiking trails.

• One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country
• Two museums in the small village of Skogar
• The starting point of one of the most legendary hikes in Iceland

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country

60 meters high and 25 meters wide, the superb waterfall lies along the Skoga River. The village actually has trails to a number of waterfalls, including Kvernufoss for example, but Skogafoss is the most impressive and well known of them. You can discover the other waterfalls of the Skoga on the way to Þórsmörk.

Skogafoss is regularly the canvas for one or even two rainbows that typically appear right over the lip. A local legend tells of a treasure chest hidden somewhere behind the fall, and that a local boy went searching for it once and could only retrieve the trunk handle. This handle is now on display in the Skogar Folk Museum.

Two museums in the small village of Skogar

Photo credit: AURELIO POLONI @fotolia

Opened in 1949, the Skogar folk museum is one of the most interesting in Iceland. Its rich collection of historical objects (over 15,000 for the folk museum alone, and around 18,000 for the museum as a whole!) was put together by the late Þórđur Tómasson, the museum's original curator.

From authentic fishing tools to ancient manuscripts, there are fishing boats and farm tools and everyday objects that make this collection a window into the past. You can even tour a replica peat farm and church, each filled with items and furniture that speak of olden times.

Another replica, based on a rural school, takes you back to early 20th century education. In 2002 a second museum opened its doors, the Transport Museum, covering the fascinating transition from horses and boats to the cars on roads we know today.

Not far from the museums is a brasserie and gift shop.

• Additional information about the Skogar Museum in our article dedicated to this museum

Opening hours vary depending on the time of year:

• September to May: 10AM—5PM
• June, July, August: 09AM—6PM
• Closed on December 24 and 25 and on January 1

Skógasafn (Regional Folk Museum in Skógar)

861 Hvolsvöllur

Tel. (354) 487 8845. Fax: (354) 487 8848

Website: www.skogasafn.is

Update: according to the museum's official website, the hours have changed. The museum is open 362 days a year, from 9AM to 6PM June to August and from 10AM to 5PM September to May. It is closed on December 24 and 25 and on January 1.

2026 admission (covers the whole museum area):

• Adults: 3000 ISK
• Students / seniors: 2000 ISK
• Teenagers 12 - 17: 1600 ISK
• Family ticket (two adults and children 17 and under): 6750 ISK
• Children under 12 accompanied by an adult: free

Guided tours are available on reservation (English, German and Icelandic, sometimes French) by emailing booking@skogasafn.is.

The starting point of one of the most legendary hikes in Iceland

The trek from Landmannalaugar to Skogar (see details in our dedicated article) is probably the most famous trail in Iceland (it can be done in both directions). The full trek is a 6-day affair, which can be reduced to 1 to 2 days to only do Skogar — Thorsmörk (Fimmvörðuháls, about 25 km).

Our article linked above will give you all the information you need about one of the most beautiful treks in the country. But the main tip for this hike is that it's easier one way than the other, due to elevation, and we recommend the direction that ends in Skogar. The point of departure on this end of the trail starts behind the waterfall on the way to Fimmvörðuháls, a pass between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers.

To get there, a steep staircase runs alongside the falls up to a viewing platform: allow about 20 to 30 minutes to climb it. The steps can be slippery in rain and icy in winter. Beyond the viewpoint, the path follows the Skoga River past several smaller waterfalls, which makes a nice walk even if you don't do the whole trek. The full Fimmvörðuháls, however, is a long day on foot, to attempt only in summer, with suitable gear, a stable forecast and enough daylight. More in our article on the waterfall and in our Fimmvörðuháls guide.

• The Fimmvörðuháls trek in detail 

Nearby Skogafoss

• Kvernufoss: a quiet waterfall about a 15-minute walk from the museum car park, which you can walk behind away from the crowds.
• Seljalandsfoss: about 30 km away.
• Sólheimajökull glacier: about 19 km away.
• Dyrhólaey: about 25 km away.
• Reynisfjara black sand beach: about 35 km away.