Glymur Waterfall Hike

The Glymur waterfall hike is one of the most rewarding half-day walks within easy reach of Reykjavík. Glymur drops roughly 198 m into a narrow, moss-lined canyon at the head of Hvalfjörður, making it the second-highest waterfall in Iceland. The 6.5 km loop takes you through a cave, across the river on a log with a steel cable for support, and up along the canyon edge with dizzying views down into the gorge.

The walk starts in Botnsdalur valley, about an hour's drive north of Reykjavík, and takes three to four hours with about 350 m of ascent. The climb up the side of the canyon is steep in places, with ropes on a couple of sections, and the upper part of the loop includes a shallow wade across the river above the falls. It feels like a proper adventure without being technical.

It also slots neatly into a road trip to west Iceland, Snæfellsnes or Borgarfjörður, since the trailhead is only a short detour from the Ring Road via the old fjord road. If you are travelling with a tent, there are campsites in the Hvalfjörður area and around Borgarnes, which makes an early start easy and gets you onto the trail before the midday crowds arrive. Just remember that the full loop is a summer outing, as the log bridge is usually removed for winter.

Highlights

• Walking through Þvottahellir cave down to the river
• Crossing the Botnsá on a log with a steel support cable
• Cliff-edge viewpoints straight down into the Glymur canyon
• The quiet, little-visited fjord of Hvalfjörður
• Seabirds nesting on the canyon walls in early summer

The route

Getting to the trailhead

Drive north from Reykjavík on Route 1, then take Route 47 around Hvalfjörður instead of the tunnel. Follow signs into Botnsdalur at the head of the fjord to the car park at the end of the road. The drive takes about an hour. There is no public bus to the trailhead, so you need a car or a tour. The final stretch is gravel but usually fine for a normal car in summer.

Where to stay

There are several campsites around Hvalfjörður and the nearby Borgarfjörður and Akranes areas, generally open in summer. For a roof, guesthouses and farm stays are scattered along the fjord, and Akranes and Borgarnes have hotels, shops and restaurants. Many people simply do Glymur as a day trip from Reykjavík. Wild camping in the car park is not allowed.

Best time to hike

The log bridge is usually in place from late spring to autumn; it is typically removed in winter because of ice and high water, which makes the full loop impractical. June to September is the best window. Waterfall flow is strongest in early summer with snowmelt, but the river crossing above the falls is often easiest later in the summer. Weekends in July and August are busiest, so start early or go in the evening light.

Safety

The canyon edges are unfenced, vertical and in places undercut; keep well back, especially with children, and do not climb past barriers for photos. The log crossing and the upper wade are the main hazards; never cross if the water is high after heavy rain or snowmelt. Wear boots with good grip, as the path is muddy and slick when wet. Check vedur.is and safetravel.is, and call 112 in an emergency.