A waterfall for the gods
Älgbert Elgson
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Goðafoss is one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls and an attraction for many visitors.
At about 12 metres high, it is not among the highest in Iceland, but the enormous masses of water plunging into a narrow gorge over a width of about 160 metres are very impressive.
Goðafoss is located in the area of the community of Þingeyjarsveit in north-eastern Iceland near the beginning of the Sprengisandur highland road within sight of the ring road.
The trail of history
The edge of the waterfall was formed on the edge of the Frambruni lava flow, which poured out of the Trölladyngja shield volcano around 8000 years ago and reached a length of 105km.
The name of the waterfall is probably connected with the Ljósvetninga saga, because in the year 1000, a vote was taken at the Þing session to adopt Christianity as the official religion. Gode Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði Þorkelsson (meaning priest, but in this context more likely to be understood as a ruler or bearer of governmental power in Iceland), who was responsible for this, probably acted primarily for political reasons, because he feared the embargo threatened by the Norwegian King Olaf on the timber that was vital for Iceland in the event that the Icelanders remained pagans. But that would have meant the end of shipbuilding, as Iceland had no large forests for building. Relieved, Þorgeir had sunk the old images of the gods in the next best waterfall after the successful Þingsession, which has since been called Goðafoss, meaning Waterfall of the Gods.
The waterfall was declared a nature reserve on 12 June 2020.
Useful Information
There are two large car parks on the left and right banks of the river Skjálfandafljót.
Goðafoss | Der Goðafoss ist einer der bekanntesten Wasserfälle Islands und ein Anziehungspunkt für viele Besucher. – Goðafoss is one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls and an attraction for many visitors. 
Goðafoss | Das Wasser fällt auf einer Breite von etwa 160m etwa zwölf Meter den Wasserfall nach unten. – The water falls about twelve meters down the waterfall over a width of around 160m. 
Goðafoss | Die Fallkante des Wasserfalls entstand vor rund 8000 Jahren als der Schildvulkan Trölladyngja ausbrach. – The edge of the waterfall was created around 8,000 years ago when the Trölladyngja shield volcano erupted. 
Goðafoss 
Goðafoss | Der Name des Wasserfalles geht auf die Christianisierung Islands zurück als die alten Götter den Wasserfall hinuntergeworfen wurden. – The name of the waterfall goes back to the Christianization of Iceland when the old gods were thrown down the waterfall. 
Goðafoss | Der Goðafoss ist der wichtigste Wasserfall im Norden Islands und sollte unbedingt besichtigt werden, falls man in der Nähe von Akureyri ist. – Goðafoss is the most important waterfall in the north of Iceland and should definitely be visited if you are near Akureyri.
How to get there?
To the east of Goðafoss is the village of Laugar, and about 30 kilometres to the west is the important coastal town of Akureyri. The waterfall is located about halfway between Akureyri and Myvatn, directly on the ring road.
Conclusion
Goðafoss is the most important waterfall in the north of Iceland and should definitely be visited if you are near Akureyri.
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