Skálabrekkufoss

Take Highway 1 east from the town of Hvolsvöllur for 47km, then turn left where signs point prominently to Skógafoss (the falls are visible and very obvious at this point). In half of a kilometer take the next left and follow the road to its end adjacent to the camping area. The trail to the top of the falls begins adjacent to the grass field at the camping area, climbing up several hundreds of stairs for about one-third of a kilometer to a viewing platform at the top of the falls. From here the trail uses a stile to cross a sheep fence, and then continues gradually uphill. This waterfall is best viewed about 2.2 kilometers past the top of Skógafoss, and about 350 meters past the top of the previous waterfall. Where the trails begin to fork and branch at the bottom of the hill before the falls, keep to the left in order to access the best views of Skálabrekkufoss.The Skógá features dozens of waterfalls as it cascades down from the saddle between the Eyjafjallajökull and Katla volcanoes where it originates. The vast majority of visitors to the area are (understandably) satisfied with the spectacular Skógafoss just above the Ring road, but those looking for further satisfaction can hike the famous Laugavegur trail upstream along the river and pass many more waterfalls.
Skálabrekkufoss is the eighth waterfall encountered as one hikes upstream from Skógafoss along the trail. Skógafoss itself aside, all of the other waterfalls thus far encountered up to this point along the Laugavegur are fairly tame; Skálabrekkufoss breaks that pattern in spectacular fashion. Here the river hurtles a thunderous 141 feet into a deep, narrow, and rather precarious amphitheater surrounded with rugged volcanic crags. The narrow canyon funnels the spray of the falls in a particular direction such that it is very conducive to the formation of rainbows in the afternoon hours, adding a further picturesque touch to what is already the second best waterfall along the Skógá.
We should note that as the trail passes this waterfall it becomes briefly much less defined, with many different social paths spreading out in multiple directions - in large part due to the allure of the falls. The paths which offer the best views of the falls traverse several areas with precariously steep dropoffs and a distinct lack of handholds. The main portion of the trail (which may or may not be obvious depending on the current conditions) bypasses the views of the falls, but would allow easier and safer traversal to a view from the rim of the canyon instead. Exercise appropriate caution when in this area.