Skógafoss

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The waterfall Skógafoss, IPA: ['skou.aˌfos], is situated in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. After the coastline had receded into the sea (it is now at a distance of about 5 km from Skógar), the cliffs stayed behind parallel to the coast over hundreds of kilometers, creating together with some mountains a clear border between the Lowlands and the Highlands of Iceland.

The Skógafoss is one of the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls of the country with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters. 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. A local boy found the chest years later, but was only able to grasp the ring on the side of the chest before it disappeared again.

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.

See also: Waterfalls of Iceland, List of waterfalls

[edit] References

• Skogafoss

[edit] External links

• Photo
• -photos from www.icelandportfolio.com

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Coordinates: 63°31′47″N 19°30′50″W / 63.52972, -19.51389