스코가포스(Skógafoss). 아이슬란드(Iceland)

스코가포스(Skógafoss). 아이슬란드(Iceland)

europeanwaterfalls.com

Skógafoss is located in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. After the coastline had receded seaward (it is now at a distance of about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) from Skógar), the former sea cliffs remained, parallel to the coast over hundreds of kilometres, creating together with some mountains a clear border between the coastal lowlands and the Highlands of Iceland.
 

Skógafoss lies just 500 meters off road 1 near Skógá and is easy to access. From the parking lot is is a short walk over the black sand to the impressive and powerful Skógafoss.

 

The combination of height (62m), a width of 25 meters and an impressive volume of the water makes Skógafoss one of my favorite waterfalls in Iceland. The waterfall is very popular by tourists but not to crowded.

 

On the east side of the fall you can climb up a path crossing some amazing viewpoints. A perfect place for the perfect picture. Although you also see a magnificent spectacle on arrival: dark rock, a mighty river and a powerful waterfall.

 

Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days. According to legend, the first Viking settler in the area, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a treasure in a cave behind the waterfall. The legend continues that locals found the chest years later, but were only able to grasp the ring on the side of the chest before it disappeared again. The ring was allegedly given to the local church. The old church door ring is now in a museum, though whether it gives any credence to the folklore is debatable.

 

At the eastern side of the waterfall, a hiking and trekking trail leads up to the pass Fimmvörðuháls between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. It goes down to Þórsmörk on the other side and continues as the famous Laugavegur to Landmannalaugar.

 

The southern region, specially near Skógar is famous because the many waterfalls short to each other. Named waterfalls in the region of Skógar are: Skógafoss, Miðfoss, Neðstifoss, Selvaðsfoss, Kvernufoss, Sellfoss, Dalárfoss, Skálabrekkufoss, Kæfufoss, Gluggafoss, Rollutorfufoss, Fellsfoss, Steinbogafoss, Fosstorfufoss, Hestavaðsfoss and Holtsárfoss.

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