Skip to main content
Log inMap

Hvítárvatn

Highlands, Iceland30 km² surface
Road loading…Weather loading…
directions
AIDirections

Hvítárvatn

Highlands, Iceland30 km² surface

About

Hvítárvatn is a lake in the Highlands of Iceland and the source of the glacial river Hvítá, Árnessýsla. It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) northeast of Gullfoss waterfall.

A unique Icelandic experience. Worth your time.

Check local conditions before visiting. Iceland's weather changes fast.

AI assistant

Plan your visit to Hvítárvatn

Build an itinerary — full days, multi-stop routes, drive times, alternatives.

Driving conditions
Road conditions
Check live· From Reykjavík to the foss
Drive: Good·Visit now·30 min stop
Ring Road 1Checking…
F-roadsOpen
ClosuresChecking…
Wind—
Visibility—
open map
Prices
Cost to visit
Free
No fees
Entry: Free
Parking: Free
No booking
Entry feeFree
ParkingFree
BookingNot needed
Getting thereCar recommended
Forecast
Today
—
Loading…
—
—
—
—
—
Northern lights
Tonight
—/9
No data
Loading…
0
9
Moon—
Aurora forecast for tonight
HighlandsReykjavíkSouth CoastWestNorthEastWestfjordsReykjanes
Sun & light
Today
—
Today
—
—
—
Sunrise—
Golden hour AM—
Golden hour PM—
Sunset—
Blue hour—

Cars & campers

−15%exclusive discountFree cancellationKEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
From
5,355 kr6,300 kr/day
Reserve −15%
VW Caravelle
9-seater

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic
FuelDiesel
Seats9
Drive2WD
From
12,750 kr15,000 kr/day
Reserve −15%
Key Camper Wild Duo
Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol
Sleeps2
Drive4WD
From
5,304 kr6,240 kr/day
Reserve −15%

Tours near Hvítárvatn

Free cancellationSmall groups
Glacier & Golden Circle
Adventure

Glacier & Golden Circle

Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.

Duration10 hours
PickupReykjavík
ActivitySnowmobile
VehicleSuper Jeep
From
49.990 kr
View tour →

Daily conditions for your trip

Roads, weather, and aurora for your exact travel dates — one short email each morning, nothing else. Unsubscribe any time.

Photos & videos

Hvítárvatn — photo by Wikimedia CommonsWikimedia Commons

No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Hvítárvatn, no lookalikes. Search YouTube

Reviews

Nearby

Waterfalls

#1.Gýgjarfoss
24 km·~29 min drive

A waterfall in the Highlands. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

Gýgjarfoss
#2.Nýifoss
24 km·~29 min drive

A waterfall in the Highlands. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

#3.Skuggafoss
33 km·~40 min drive

A waterfall in the Highlands. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

#4.Gullfoss
34 km·~40 min drive

Iceland's most visited waterfall. Two massive drops cascade into a rugged canyon, with…

Gullfoss
4 waterfalls near Highlands

Hot Springs

#1.Hveradalir
27 km·~32 min drive

Wild hot spring. Real Iceland experience. Respect the nature around it.

#2.Baðlaug Kerlingarfjöll Hot Spring
27 km·~32 min drive

Hot spring in Highlands. Natural geothermal bathing spot.

#3.Geothermal hot spring near Hrunamannahreppur
27 km·~33 min drive

Natural pool. Off the tourist path. Respect the nature around it.

#4.Geothermal hot spring near Húnabyggð
32 km·~38 min drive

Geothermal spot. Naturally heated, no facilities. Check conditions before going.

4 hot springs near Highlands

Campsites

#1.Hvítárnes
4.4 km·~5 min drive

Highland campsite accessible in summer only. F-road driving required. Basic facilities…

#2.Árbúðir
6.7 km·~8 min drive

Highland campsite accessible in summer only. F-road driving required. Basic facilities…

#3.Kerlingarfjöll
27 km·~33 min drive

Highland campsite accessible in summer only. F-road driving required. Basic facilities…

#4.Kerlingarfjöll - Highland Base
27 km·~33 min drive

The camping site at Mountain Kerlingafjoll is in the vally of Asgard, on the north side…

4 campsites near Highlands

Supermarkets

#1.Krambúð
57 km·~69 min drive

Krambúð supermarket — supplies

#2.Krambúðin
61 km·~73 min drive

Krambúð supermarket — supplies

#3.Kjörbúðin
90 km·~108 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#4.Hagkaup Sérvara
92 km·~110 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near Highlands

Gas stations

#1.Geysir
39 km·~47 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#2.Húsafell
50 km·~60 min drive

Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol

#3.Hrauneyjar
53 km·~63 min drive

Olís · 315.8 kr/L petrol

#4.Brautarhóll
56 km·~67 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near Highlands

Tours

#1.Glacier & Golden Circle
10 hours·Pickup Reykjavík

Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.

from 32,990 krView tour →
1 tours near Highlands

Frequently
asked
questions

How do I get to Hvítárvatn?
Hvítárvatn is in Highlands. Check live road conditions on this page before you drive — highland lakes often need a 4×4 and some access roads only open in summer.
Can I fish at Hvítárvatn?
Angling in Iceland requires a permit bought per water body from the landowner or local angling association, and gear used abroad must be disinfected first. Check the local rules for Hvítárvatn before you cast.
Can I swim in Hvítárvatn?
Icelandic lakes are cold year-round and swimming rules vary by lake — some are protected or have unstable shorelines. Check local signage at Hvítárvatn before entering the water.
When is the best time to visit Hvítárvatn?
Roadside lakes are visitable year-round, though winter access depends on conditions. Highland lakes and reservoirs are typically reachable only in summer once the F-roads open. Check live road conditions before you drive.

Data & sources

Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.

Spotted an error, or have something to add? Help us keep this page accurate.

← Back to All Lakes