Rough gravel. Rough gravel access road — drive slowly; high clearance recommended.
A magnificent tier of waterfalls, 91 meters high, on the mountain road down into Mjóifjörður — one of the most remote fjords in East Iceland.
Story & Legend
Mjóifjörður means 'Narrow Fjord': 18 kilometers long, with a single tiny village, Brekkuþorp, where around 14 people live year-round. The regional tourist board calls it possibly the most remote destination in a country that specializes in unspoiled, out-of-the-way places — and Klifbrekkufossar, appearing on the right-hand side as the road descends from the Egilsstaðir side, is one of its best-known sights.
Geology & Science
The falls drop a total of 91 meters in a tier of cascades, draining toward Mjóifjörður below.
Safety
The falls are reached via Route 953 (Mjóafjarðarvegur), a mountain road that is gravel for most of its length. The regional tourist board says the road into the fjord is open only about four months of the year, depending on the weather; outside that window the fjord is reached only by scheduled boat from Norðfjörður. Check current road conditions on the Icelandic Road Administration's traffic site (umferdin.is / road.is) before driving.
Photo Tip
You can compose the whole tier from the road itself — the falls appear on the right-hand side as you descend toward the fjord. A vertical frame captures the full staircase of cascades; pulling back to include a bend of the gravel road gives the scale of the descent.
Insider Tip
Don't turn around at the waterfall: the same road continues down to Brekkuþorp, the fjord's only village, in what the regional tourist board calls possibly the most remote destination in a country full of out-of-the-way places.
Best Time to Visit
Summer — the road into Mjóifjörður is open only about four months of the year, depending on the weather.
What to Bring
Windproof layer and sturdy shoes; this is a roadside stop on a mountain road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Klifbrekkufossar?
Via Route 953 (Mjóafjarðarvegur), the mostly gravel mountain road that descends into Mjóifjörður. Coming down from the Egilsstaðir side, the waterfalls appear on the right-hand side of the road.
Is the road to Mjóifjörður open all year?
No. According to the regional tourism office, the road is open only about four months of the year, depending on the weather; in the closed season the fjord is reached by scheduled boat from Norðfjörður. Check umferdin.is (road.is) for the current status.
