Skógafoss is a waterfall situated in the south of Iceland at the cliffs
of the former coastline. After the coastline had receded seaward (it is
now at a distance of about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) from Skógar), the
former sea cliffs remained, parallel to the coast over hundreds of
kilometres, creating together with some mountains a clear border between
the coastal lowlands and the Highlands of Iceland.
The Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a
width of 25 metres (82 feet) and a drop of 60 m (200 ft). Due to the
amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double
rainbow is normally visible on sunny days. According to legend, the
first Viking settler in the area, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a treasure in
a cave behind the waterfall. The legend continues that locals found the
chest years later, but were only able to grasp the ring on the side of
the chest before it disappeared again. The ring was allegedly given to
the local church. The old church door ring is now in a museum, though
whether it gives any credence to the folklore is debatable.
At the eastern side of the waterfall, a hiking and trekking trail leads
up to the pass Fimmvörðuháls between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and
Mýrdalsjökull. It goes down to Þórsmörk on the other side and continues
as the famous Laugavegur to Landmannalaugar. Via — Text
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