Litlanesfoss

East

The basalt columns at Litlanesfoss are the tallest feature in the frame when you arrive — they flank the 30-meter waterfall on both sides like a colonnade, each hexagonal pillar reaching around 20 meters high. The falls are also called Stuðlabergsfoss, or Basalt Column Falls, and that name is arguably more accurate: the columns, not the cascade, are what sets this apart from dozens of other Icelandic waterfalls. The falls sit about 1.2 kilometers along the hiking trail from the car park off Route 931 in the Fljótsdalur valley, east of Egilsstaðir. The trail gains elevation and has steeper sections, but nothing technically difficult. Continuing roughly another 1.5 kilometers brings you to Hengifoss, one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls at 128 meters — the two are almost always visited together, so budget two to three hours for the full return trip. The trail is open year-round but safest from late spring through early autumn. Entry and parking are both free. Being well east of the main tourist corridor, it sees far fewer visitors than comparable waterfalls on the South Coast.

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.