Nauthusagil Gorge and Nauthúsafoss Waterfall – Iceland’s Hidden Gems
Nauthusagil Gorge and Nauthúsafoss Waterfall – Iceland’s Hidden Gems
Nauthusagil Gorge (Bull Shed Ravine) and Nauthúsafoss Waterfall
Iceland travel guide
What to see in Iceland, tourist attractions, travel guide
Nauthúsagil – Iceland’s Secret in the Shadow of Eyjafjallajökull
As a tour guide, photographer, and an incurable seeker of beautiful places, I have a soft spot for those corners of Iceland that haven’t yet made it to the covers of guidebooks. One such magical place is the Nauthusagil Gorge – a hidden gem in the south of the island that can surprise even the most experienced travelers.
For those who wish to stray from the beaten path and experience authentic magic, true wonders await in its hidden corners. In the face of the island’s growing popularity, lesser-known places are gaining value, offering travelers the chance for a deeper connection with nature, away from the crowds. It is precisely in such places that one discovers the true essence of Iceland, where a sense of exclusivity and personal discovery becomes a key element of the journey.
My video about the trail to Nauthusagil Gorge and Nauthúsafoss Waterfall
If you’re curious about what the entire trail looks like, I invite you to my video report where I share my impressions on the spot.
Origin of the Name Nauthusagil (Bull Shed Ravine)
The name Nauthúsagil literally means “Bull Shed Ravine”. There are two main hypotheses regarding its origin: the first is associated with the Stóra-Mörk farm, where there once stood a building intended as a shed for bulls grazed here along with other animals. The second refers to the lost settlement of Nauthús, abandoned around 1770, whose former inhabitants reportedly experienced unfortunate, even supernatural events.
Characteristics – Nauthúsagil
The gorge lies at the foot of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier (yes, the one that paralyzed air traffic in 2010), not far from the more popular Seljalandsfoss waterfall. But unlike it, Nauthúsagil is not easy to find or traverse – and that is its greatest charm.
The entrance to the gorge looks unassuming, but after just a few steps, the real adventure begins. The path leads through a stream, over slippery stones and roots, with mosses and ferns hanging from the steep walls like green curtains. At times, you need to help yourself with chains – but believe me, it’s worth it.
At the end of the gorge awaits the reward: the Nauthúsafoss waterfall. It is neither the largest nor the most spectacular in Iceland, but it has something mystical about it. The light falling from above creates incredible reflections, mist hangs in the air, and the silence is broken only by the sound of water and the breath of your own excitement. For a photographer, it’s a true paradise – a place where you can capture frames like from a fairy tale.
How to Get to – Nauthúsagil (Bull Shed Ravine)
How to get to Nauthúsagil?
If you think the south of Iceland is only about Seljalandsfoss and the Black Sand Beaches, then it’s time for a detox from the obvious! Nauthusagil Gorge, called Bull Shed Ravine, is a place where even GPS gets lost… in awe.
To reach this hidden gem from Reykjavík, head east on Route 1 (Ring Road) for about 120-125 kilometers. Then turn left onto Road 249 (Þórmerkurvegur). Continue driving, passing the iconic waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi or the DC-3 C-47J (R4D-6) Eyvindarholt plane wreck in the direction of Þórsmörk .
Just past the DC-3 wreck, the road changes from asphalt to the gravel F-249. The gorge is located past the Stóra-Mörk farm, where there is a designated parking area. Still free, but don’t count on toilets – wilderness reigns here.
I invite you to the post and video about the DC-3 C47J plane wreck
For the persistent, the adventure begins here
For those with a 4×4 vehicle who desire more challenging terrain, it’s worth considering continuing the journey on the F-249 road towards the Thorsmork Valley. This stunning nature reserve is known for its raw beauty and dramatic landscapes. There you can discover other hidden waterfalls, such as Stigafoss, or witness the powerful remnants of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption near the Gigjokull Glacier. Or begin an adventure on the Fimmvorduhals (Fimmvörðuháls) and Laugavegur trails (over 80km in total).
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Nauthúsafoss Waterfall
Nauthúsafoss Waterfall is strikingly similar to Gljúfrabúi
Nauthúsafoss is a “horsetail” type phantom waterfall – 20 meters high, hidden in a rock crevice. To photograph it, you have to squeeze through a narrow passage where the walls almost touch. A wide-angle lens is a must here, and exposure? HDR – Bracketing* – the contrast between the shadow and the bright water is merciless.
And the best part? You often won’t meet anyone there. In a world where every corner of Iceland already has its own hashtag, Nauthúsagil remains a place of true discovery. You won’t find a hot dog stand here, nor a parking lot for coaches. There is only nature – wild, wet, raw, and beautiful.
Bonus fact for everyone: The gorge is a geological puzzle – layers of volcanic tuff, lava, and glacial sediments. The result? A landscape like from another planet, where every stone tells a story thousands of years old.
What is Bracketing* in photography
Bracketing (braketing) is a function in a camera that automatically takes several shots of the same scene with different settings – most commonly exposure (brightness). This gives the photographer a greater chance of getting a perfectly exposed photo or allows them to combine the shots using HDR techniques. Bracketing can also apply to white balance, focus, or depth of field.
Essential Equipment for the Photographer:
Tips for the Photographer
- Tripod: Absolutely essential for capturing silky smooth waterfall shots with long exposure times, providing stability and clarity in low light or for motion blur effects.
- Polarizing filter: Highly recommended for reducing glare from wet rocks and water, and for enhancing the natural colors of the lush landscape, making the greens more saturated and the sky richer.
- Wide-angle lens: To capture the majesty of the narrow canyon and high walls, allowing you to fit the entire magnificent scene into the frame. I used 16mm.
- Lens cloths: Be prepared for spray! The mist from the waterfall can quickly wet the lens, which from personal experience requires frequent cleaning to maintain sharp images.
- Waterproof bag: There are places where water pours abundantly from the rocks. Therefore, I recommend, for example, even a trash bag (as was the case with me) with which you can protect your equipment from water.
- Nauthúsagil gorge Iceland
- Nauthúsafoss waterfall Iceland
- hidden attractions Iceland
- Iceland off-the-beaten-path places
- what to see in Iceland off the main routes
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