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Héraðsvötn

North Iceland, Iceland
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Héraðsvötn

North Iceland, Iceland

About

Héraðsvötn, whose name is often shortened to Vötn or Vötnin is a glacier river in Iceland. It is formed by the confluence of Austari-Jökulsá and Vestari-Jökulsá rivers.

A unique Icelandic experience. Worth your time.

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

AI assistant

Plan your visit to Héraðsvötn

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—
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Prices
Cost to visit
Free
No fees
Entry: Free
Parking: Free
No booking
Entry feeFree
ParkingFree
BookingNot needed
Getting thereCar recommended
Forecast
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Northern lights
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Aurora forecast for tonight
NorthReykjavíkSouth CoastWestEastWestfjordsReykjanesHighlands
Sun & light
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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 Héraðsvötn

Free cancellationSmall groups
Akureyri Whale Watching
North

Akureyri Whale Watching

Humpbacks and dolphins in Eyjafjörður — the classic North-Iceland outing.

Duration3 hours
PickupAkureyri
HighlightsEyjafjörður
TypeBoat tour
From
14.500 kr
View tour →
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

Héraðsvötn — photo by Wikimedia CommonsWikimedia Commons

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

Reviews

Nearby

Waterfalls

#1.Bólugilsfoss
4.6 km·~6 min drive

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

#2.Reykjafoss
5.2 km·~6 min drive

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

Reykjafoss
#3.Háaleitisfoss
27 km·~33 min drive

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

#4.Ingjaldsfossar
35 km·~42 min drive

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

4 waterfalls near North Iceland

Hot Springs

#1.Natural hot pot near Skagafjörður
3.4 km·~4 min drive

Swimming_pool hot spring

#2.Geothermal hot spring near Skagafjörður
3.5 km·~4 min drive

Wild hot spring. Real Iceland experience. Bring your own towel.

#3.Fosslaug
5.2 km·~6 min drive

Wild hot spring. Naturally heated, no facilities. Check conditions before going.

#4.Reykjafoss Warm Waterfall
17 km·~21 min drive

Hot spring in South Iceland. Natural geothermal bathing spot.

4 hot springs near North Iceland

Campsites

#1.Bakkaflöt
3.3 km·~4 min drive

North Iceland camping option. Less crowded than the south, with dramatic landscapes and…

#2.Bakkaflöt tjaldsvæði
3.3 km·~4 min drive

Next to the river Svartá, we have a beautiful campsite with Mountain View and lovely…

#3.Lambeyri
3.5 km·~4 min drive

North Iceland camping option. Less crowded than the south, with dramatic landscapes and…

#4.Tjaldsvæðið Steinsstöðum
3.5 km·~4 min drive

North Iceland camping option. Less crowded than the south, with dramatic landscapes and…

4 campsites near North Iceland

Supermarkets

#1.Hlíðarkaup
33 km·~40 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#2.Skagfirðingabúð
34 km·~41 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#3.Kjörbúðin
51 km·~61 min drive

Kjörbúðin supermarket — supplies

#4.Nettó
58 km·~69 min drive

Nettó supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near North Iceland

Gas stations

#1.Varmahlíð
12 km·~14 min drive

ÓB · 308.7 kr/L petrol

#2.Sauðárkrókur
34 km·~40 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#3.Sauðárkrókur Borgarflöt
34 km·~41 min drive

ÓB · 308.7 kr/L petrol

#4.Hofsós
47 km·~57 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near North Iceland

Tours

#1.Akureyri Whale Watching
3 hours·Pickup Akureyri

Humpbacks and dolphins in Eyjafjörður — the classic North-Iceland outing.

from 11,990 krView tour →
#2.Glacier & Golden Circle
10 hours·Pickup Reykjavík

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

from 32,990 krView tour →
2 tours near North Iceland

Frequently
asked
questions

Where is Héraðsvötn?
Héraðsvötn is a river in North Iceland, Iceland. Check the map on this page for its course and the nearest access points.
Can you fish in Héraðsvötn?
Fishing any Icelandic river needs a permit sold per river or beat. Salmon rivers book far ahead and can be expensive; trout and char are more accessible. Never fish without a permit, and disinfect gear brought from abroad.
Is Héraðsvötn safe to cross?
If Héraðsvötn is crossed by an unbridged highland ford, treat it with real caution: glacial water is cold, fast, deeper than it looks and higher by afternoon. Cross only with the right 4WD and experience, watch another vehicle first, and if in doubt turn back.
When does Héraðsvötn run highest?
Glacial rivers peak on warm summer afternoons, after rain and during the spring melt. A ford that is passable in the cool morning can be dangerous by late afternoon. Check road.is before highland driving.

Data & sources

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