Although Rjúkandi is one of the few waterfalls you can see from the Ring Road in Iceland (road number 1), many visitors don’t usually stop by Rjúkandi. One reason is the fact that there are several “roadside” waterfalls streaming down the slopes along the way through the Jökuldalur valley in the Eastern Region between Egilsstaðir and Akureyri. Most of them look like interesting stops but often lack the prominent infrastructure that is required for a visit. Rjúkandi may seem like an ordinary tourist spot if you don’t take the time to explore it; moreover, it has a parking lot and a short path for viewing this beautiful attraction. It is also quite close to the road, which makes viewing it seem like a short hike. Rjúkandi is, therefore, a lovely waterfall and, definitely, a place to stop by.
Take the short path to the Rjúkandi Waterfall
Rjúkandi is part of a stunning landscape at the Jökuldalur valley in the Eastern Region of Iceland. The valley has other attractions that are yet to be discovered and places such as Stuðlafoss and Stuðlagil that were discovered only a few years ago in 2016. The waterfall is approximately 90 meters and is divided into two consecutive parts with a ledge between them. This makes it stunning, as you can climb up from the side to get a better view not only of the waterfall but also of the Jökuldalur valley. You can also spy the magnificent Jökulsá á Brú river meandering down the valley; it used to be a large glacial river gushing down the many small gorges hidden in the old Jökulsá á Brú long canyon. The Rjúkandi river is one of the many spring-fed waterbodies that feeds the beautiful river in the canyon today after the glacial part was moved to Fljótsdalur valley during a massive dam project at Kárahnúkar.
On the Ring Road in Iceland just before you hit Skjödólfsstaðir
The Rjúkandi waterfall in the Eastern region of Iceland is less than an hour away from Egilsstaðir on the Ring Road (number 1). You can stop by the parking lot and walk up to the waterfall, which only takes a few minutes. The parking lot is located by the road just before you reach the farm, restaurant, and accommodation at Skjöldólfsstaðir. The viewing panel opposite the waterfall, toward the Jökuldalur valley, provides a breathtaking view. You can even climb up the slopes if you want to look at the upper and lower waterfalls.
If you're planning to tour Iceland in a rental car, make sure to read this article about the three important things you need to know and the type of car that would be best for your trip!
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