Hrafnabjargafoss

North Iceland

Upstream from the famous Goðafoss, the Skjálfandafljót river carves through a lava field roughly 9,000 years old and then drops over Hrafnabjargafoss — a two-chute waterfall split by a large central rock island, falling into a broad bowl-shaped gorge. The name translates to Raven Rocks' Waterfall, a reference to the dark basalt formations framing it. At around 5 meters tall it is not imposing by Icelandic standards, but the wide spread of the drop and the remote highland setting give it a character quite different from roadside waterfalls on the tourist circuit. Getting here takes effort. From the Ring Road east of Akureyri, the route runs south on gravel before joining Highland Road F26 (Sprengisandur), which is only open in summer. From the Aldeyjarfoss parking area, a rough track leads another kilometer to the riverbank where the falls appear. Plan two to three hours from Akureyri at minimum — the road is slow going. Visitor numbers are low even in peak season; carry extra water and let someone know your route, as the area has no services.

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