Seljalandsfoss waterfall, July 2025.
The western part of the Southern Lands of Iceland has some of the most fairytale waterfalls imaginable—sometimes hidden behind cliff walls, or with a cave behind. It really feels like stepping into a wonderland.
Like the other parts of Suðurland, one has to span quite some distance to visit the best wonders the region has to offer. While the mountains keep a watchful eye over you while navigating over Ring road 1, the route itself crosses a landscape best described as Nordic steppe.
DC-3 / C-47 plane wreck at Eyvindarholt
Iceland has a few cool plane and boat wreck spots. There is a relatively famous DC-3 wreckage on the Suðurland's black beach of Sólheimasandur—but it takes either an hour hike (and an hour back) in often strong winds, or a special truck ride to get there. Much better approachable, with its own compact car park in front, is the DC-3 "Dakota" plane wreck at Eyvindarholt. The military versions of the DC-3s were called C-47.
This particular aircraft (USN registration 150187) is one of the US Navy C-47Js that operated out of Keflavik International Airport/Air Base from 1961. This particular aircraft had an unhappy landing on 25 July 1969, with substantial tailwind, on a navy station at Mount Heidarfjall in the northeast of the country. The crew missed the change of winds on its final approach. A tailwind made the aircraft veer to the right, as the crew forgot to lock the tail wheel in the straight position. The aircraft ran off the airstrip. Nobody got hurt, but the airframe was in pretty bad shape.
For decades, the C-47 was left near the runway. The wings were later removed and in 2023 the fuselage was put on display where it is now by aeroplane enthusiasts. The C-47 at Eyvindarholt is of the older type DC-3. The one at Sólheimasandur is from the 1970 and has official designation C-117D—often called "Super DC-3".
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
The Seljalandsfoss is one of the most popular waterfalls of Southern Iceland for a good reason. It is almost at ring road 1, but even better: the cave behind the 60 metres (197 feet) high fall is quite easily accessible and gives an astonishing experience.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Iceland, July 2025
Rain clothing advised to experience Seljalandsfoss waterfall ...
... especially when taking the cave route behind it.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall seen from a little further away, with a second smaller waterfall on the further left of the photo.
Gljúfrabúi cave waterfall
Maybe an even cooler waterfall is just a stroll away from Seljalandsfoss. The Gljúfrabúi is truly hidden in a cave, and one has to navigate over wet, slippery stones forming a narrow path to reach it. But it is worth it.
Gljúfrabúi cave waterfall, Iceland, July 2025.
Stay tunes: more photos of the western parts of Suðurland coming within the next two weeks.