Faxi waterfall (Tungufoss)

Faxi, also known as Tungufoss, is a beautiful wide sheet waterfall in Tungufljót, only 10 minutes away from the famous Geysir in Haukadalur and 15 minutes from Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous waterfall.

Faxi waterfall is well known to local Icelanders but as of yet not many tourists visit, driving past this gem on their way to Gullfoss and Geysir located 10-15 minutes away. 

A small/tiny forest blocks the river from the road with only a small sign leading the way to Faxi. Once you drive past the bend passed the ‘forest’ you see the waterfall from top of the riverbank where the restaurant ‘Við Faxa’ (By Faxi) has recently opened. The dining room of the restaurant has a great view over the waterfall and surrounding area.

Driving down the slope along the river you first come across a ‘rétt’, an Icelandic sheep-sorting pen. Following the path to the left is a campsite, where there are toilets, tables, swings and plug-in access to electricity. This area is popular amongst Icelanders, but not people with small children because of its proximity to the river. Water from the river Tungufljót is as deliciously tasting as water gets. 

Turning right is the a gravel parking place and a small path down to the waterfall itself.

On the left side of the waterfall are salmon-stairs for lax and salmon to swim upstream, past the waterfall to spawn. The area below the waterfall is a very popular spot amongst fly-fishers because the fish, mostly salmon, rest in the hollow below the waterfall before heading upstream through the salmon-stairs. 

Faxi in Tungufljót draws its name from its resemblance to a horse’s mane - falling short and wide into a hollow created by water erosion. In the hollow (in Icelandic hylur) below the waterfall sits a tiny islet making Faxi an archetype of an idyllic waterfall.

Icelandic Huldufólk* live there too so please show respect!Don’t take anything - don’t leave anything.

In Summer:Mind the flora, there are many species of plants that live in the hill across from the waterfall that are rare in Iceland, but thrive in the year-round mist emitting from the waterfall. First Saturday in September: 200m from the waterfall is an Icelandic ‘rétt’ (pronounced: rjett) where the first week of every September, local farmers herd the sheep that have been grazing freely over the summer, into the center of the rétt for sorting. Once the sheep is settled in the holding pens, they are led in groups into the center where local farmers pick out their own sheep by marking on the sheep’s ears. This usually draws a large crowd of locals, many on horseback assisting in herding, sorting and in comradery taking a sip or two of Brennivín to keep warm.

November to March:During winter the waterfall will freeze in (most) parts, giving it an even more unique look.Spring- early summerYou might catch a glimp of fish attempting to jump the waterfall or swimming upstream through the salmon-stairs.

* Huldufólk are a type of tall, graceful and powerful elves. Several tourists that have taken rocks from Iceland as memorabilia have sent them back asking to trade their good karma back.