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Not only do we have a staggering amount of waterfalls here in Iceland (more than 10,000!), but we also have waterfalls with incredibly unique features. One of these impressive falls is the Dynjandi Waterfall.
Dynjandi is considered a must-visit spot here in Iceland and even has people divided as to what it resembles. The only way to make the call is to see it for yourself. We’ve created the ultimate guide to Dynjandi, so you know everything there is to know about this impressive waterfall and what you can expect from a visit.
What Makes Dynjandi Waterfall So Impressive?
Dynjandi is pronounced DIN-yahn-dih and translates to ‘thunderous’. The waterfall also goes by Fjallfoss (although it’s not that common) which translates to ‘mountain falls’. Even though we can understand where they were coming from when naming the falls, it’s probably the least descriptive when it comes to a waterfall as unique as Dynjandi.
Dynjandi is an astounding 100 meters high (making it one of the tallest in Iceland) and runs 30 meters wide. The 100 meters of tumbling water falls across 7 rocky tiers, which is exactly what creates its unique aesthetic and sparks the debate. Whilst some believe that it resembles a tiered wedding cake with the frothy waters looking just like icing, others believe that it looks more like a bridal veil, cascading over a woman’s dark hair.
Where is Dynjandi Waterfall in Iceland?
Dynjandi Waterfall lies at the edge of the Arnafjördur Fjord in Dynjandisvobur Bay in the Westfjords. We don’t recommend that you visit Dynjandi as a day outing from the bigger cities since it’s 6 hours from Akureyri (the so-called capital city of the north) and 5 hours from Reykjavik (Iceland’s official capital city).
Since it’s so conveniently located along the way, the best would be to add Dynjandi as a stop along a Ring Road or Westfjords Way road trip. But if you’re deadest on a day outing, rather do it from the town of Isafjördur since it’s closest to the falls.
How Do You Get to Dynjandi?
You can visit Dynjandi in Iceland in the following ways:
Take a Tour
Tour operators and guides offer various tour packages to visit Dynjandi Waterfall. This can be a dedicated day tour, a multi-day tour of many local attractions, or a customized private tour. Just ensure that you book these tours well in advance if you’re planning a summer trip, since this is our peak season and they book up fast during this time.
Catch a Bus
The Westfjords Adventure Bus runs between Isafjördur and Patreksfjördur and does multiple trips every week. One of the stops along the way is Dynjandi Waterfall, and if you get your timing right, you’ll be able to get off, visit the waterfall, and catch the bus again on its way back. But take note; if your timing’s off and you miss the bus, you could end up stranded there.
Drive Yourself
This will always be our preferred method of exploring the island. This allows you to experience everything about the island first-hand, and you’ll be able to be in full control of your time and trip itinerary. Getting to Dynjandi via our main road, the Ring Road, is very easy.
Just start driving in the direction of Route 60 once on the Ring Road. Route 60 will take you to the Westfjords and you will pass Dynjandi Waterfall along the way. This route is not paved, and although it’s kept well-maintained, we suggest you use a 4x4 vehicle.
How Long is the Walk to Dynjandi Waterfall?
The Dynjandi walking trail to reach the falls is just 1.5 kilometers long and will take roughly 40 minutes, depending on your pace. The hike is not considered to be very challenging, but there are certain places where it gets pretty steep and rocky, so keep this in mind if you have small kids or elderly in your group.
How Much Time Do You Need for Dynjandi?
A visit to the falls will only take about half an hour, but you also need to take the hike into account. That’s why we recommend that you allocate roughly 2.5 hours for an outing to Dynjandi.
Can You Visit Dynjandi During the Winter?
The Westfjords is one of the regions in Iceland that’s the hardest hit by the winter season. It’s also one of our most remote regions, which means plenty of unpaved roads and F-roads. These roads can see sudden closures due to weather conditions, whilst the F-roads in Iceland are generally kept closed throughout the colder months of the year.
Daylight hours during our winter months also dwindle to just 4-5 hours a day. Between harsh weather, fewer daylight hours, and potential road closures, an outdoor adventure to Dynjandi during the winter months in Iceland (December to March) is not recommended.
When is the Best Time to Visit Dynjandi in Iceland?
As we’ve already established, the wintertime is not the best time to visit Dynjandi. Many would prefer our nice warm summer months in Iceland (June to September) which also has plenty of daylight hours for a jam-packed trip itinerary.
But, as mentioned before, this is our peak season that brings peak season crowds and peak season prices with it. So, that’s why many opt for a shoulder month like May or October when the weather is still nice, but prices and crowds have decreased.
Things to Do & See Near Dynjandi Falls
There are loads of exciting things to see and do near Dynjadi. These are some of the things you can consider adding to your trip itinerary:
- Visit the quaint little town of Isafjördur.
- Take a stroll on the Golden Sand Beach of Orlygshöfn Cove.
- Go birdwatching and Puffin spotting at Latrabjarg Cliffs (just remember that the Iceland Puffins can only be found between May and August).
- Check out the small fishing town of Bolungarvik which is the northernmost town in the Westfjords).
- Go on the Hornstrandir Hike.
- Visit the Pollurinn Hot Spring.
- Take a stroll on Raudisandur Red Sand Beach.
Dynjandi; Settle the Debate for Yourself
Bridal veil or wedding cake? The only way to settle the debate for yourself is to experience it and see the waterfall for yourself. Rent a campervan in Iceland and add Dynjandi as a stop on your road trip around the island. By traveling in a campervan, you’ll not only take care of both transport and accommodation, but you’ll be able to have the ultimate budget-friendly trip and go camping in comfort whilst fully immersing yourself in the Icelandic landscape.
