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  • Writer's pictureEinar Páll Svavarsson

Foss the waterfall at Síða farm by the Ring Road

Updated: 6 days ago


The waterfall Foss á Síðu is visable from the Ring Road
The waterfall Foss á Síðu is visable from the Ring Road

Foss á Síðu (Waterfall at Síða) is a farm right on the Ring Road in Iceland in the Southern Region, approximately 10 kilometers east of the small village Kirkjubæjarklaustur. It is noticeable because of its spectacular surroundings and the small waterfall falling from the beautiful cliffs lightly covered with moss vegetation. A work of art with nature's hand.


Foss á Síðu waterfall is in the South Region on the Map of Iceland
Foss á Síðu waterfall is in the South Region on the Map of Iceland

Foss is mentioned in the Book of Settlement


Wind affecting the waterfall Foss á Síðu
Wind affecting the waterfall Foss á Síðu

The farm is mentioned in the Book of Settlement and has thus been here since Iceland's times of settlement in the 9th century. Placed in front of beautiful cliffs with its stunning small waterfall, it is hard to pass by without noticing. The farm takes its name after the waterfall that comes from a lake, Þórutjörn, on the top of the cliffs. The cliffs are accessible at a steep walking path right by the waterfall and are worth walking. From the top, the view is spectacular. Although the waterfall doesn't have a lot of water, it is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland.



The blown-away waterfall

Foss á Síðu seen from Dverghamrar small basalt column cliffs
Foss á Síðu seen from Dverghamrar small basalt column cliffs

Sometimes the waterfall is blown away by heavy winds when a limited amount of water is coming from the lake. According to a local folklore story, a rare kind of ghost wanders around the area around the farm Foss and the nearby farm Hörgsland. The ghost is a dog whose name is Móri, or simply Ghost, who carries a curse directed at a particular family in the 16th century. The curse was set out to last for nine generations. There are those that argue that the curse has finished its course and Móri has disappeared forever, but not all. Throughout the centuries, Móri has never done any harm to people outside this unfortunate family.



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