Goðafoss — Waterfall of the Gods at the Northern End of Sprengisandur

Goðafoss is a wide, horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót river, right off Ring Road 1 about 50 km east of Akureyri. Local lore says the lawspeaker Þorgeir threw his pagan idols over the edge around the year 1000 when Iceland accepted Christianity, hence the name. There are viewing paths and parking on both banks, and a small café and shop on the east side. It’s busy with tour buses midday, so go early or late for quiet.

For overlanders, this is the classic gateway to the F26 Sprengisandur route. Top off fuel and food in Akureyri or nearby before you leave pavement, because the highland crossing has no fuel until you reach the Hrauneyjar side. The F26 is normally open only from around late June to September, depending on snowmelt, so check road.is for conditions and make sure your rig is rated for the unbridged river crossings. Slippery rock at the viewpoints near the falls is a real fall risk in wet or icy weather. Have a dirty day.

Where the F26 highland crossing begins