Iceland: Svartifoss Falls

Svartifoss (Black Falls) is a spectacular waterfall and in Skaftafell National Park. The water drops from a ledge surrounded by columnar basalt lava columns, almost looking man-made. The hexagonal columns are formed inside a lava flow when the cooling process is extremely slow allowing the lava matter to crystallize. Similar lava formations are seen at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, and on the island of Staffa in Scotland. It’s a 2-3 hour hike to waterfalls and back and unfortunate a heavy rain/sleet/snow hit right when I was at the destination, completely soaking me through and through. If you think falling through the ice in the Arctic is cold – try this!