Hraunfossar

West

Hraunfossar is not a waterfall in the usual sense — there is no single plunge or dramatic cliff. Instead, hundreds of small springs seep out from beneath a 900-meter stretch of the Hallmundarhraun lava field and trickle directly into the Hvítá river, forming a long, lace-like curtain of clear water over black rock. The lava field formed in a volcanic eruption around the 10th century; glacial meltwater percolates through the porous basalt for years before emerging here, arriving bright and clear while the glacial Hvítá beside it runs grey-green. A boardwalk along the riverbank gives good views of the full cascade, and the site is wheelchair accessible. Barnafoss, a narrow gorge waterfall with a very different personality, is a couple of hundred meters upstream — most visitors see both in one stop. There is a café and toilet facilities on site. Hraunfossar is about 126 kilometers north of Reykjavík, roughly two hours by car via Route 1 then roads 50 and 518. The falls run year-round, and autumn is particularly good when birch trees along the bank turn yellow and rust.

Book & Explore

The links below are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep this guide free. See our about page for how we keep recommendations independent.