West Iceland Rivers

27 rivers in West Iceland, led by Hvítá and Öxará. All mapped with drive times, directions, and live road conditions.

Top rivers in West Iceland

The region's stand-outs — each with photos, facts, and its own page.

Hvítá

The white river feeding Gullfoss waterfall - part of every Golden Circle trip. The milky glacial water comes from Langjökull glacier. Hvítá means 'white' referring to the glacial sediment that gives it that color. River rafting is popular on the upper Hvítá. Multiple operators run trips from Reykjavík. The river passes geothermal areas - hot springs mix with glacial meltwater in some sections.

Öxará

Öxará is a lake-to-lake river in Iceland in Þingvellir National Park, a tributary of Lake Þingvallavatn. It descends to the rift forming Öxarárfoss, a waterfall. Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Glacial rivers are cold, fast, and dangerous. Never underestimate current strength.

Þverá

North Iceland river with trout fishing opportunities. Less famous than the salmon rivers but productive. Trout fishing is more accessible and affordable than salmon in Iceland. Þverá offers good prospects.

Fossá

Fossá is the name of several rivers in Iceland that are known for their waterfalls. The most well-known is Fossárdalur, which runs from Þingvellir towards the southern side of Hvalfjörður. This river is characterized by numerous waterfalls, with the most popular one located near Route 47, where car parking is available. Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Glacial rivers are cold, fast, and dangerous. Never underestimate current strength.

Haffjardara

Haffjarðará is a medium-sized gin-clear river at the start of Snæfellsnes peninsula in Iceland. The river runs from Oddastaðavatn lake about 20 km to the ocean. Haffjarðará has a healthy stock of native salmon running the river. The salmon stock is sustainable, no parrs have been released to the river and since 1974 it has been fly-fishing only. There is a full service fishing lodge next to the main road. 2013 was a record year with 2156 salmon. caught on 4-6 fishing rods. Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Many rivers offer rafting opportunities - operators know the safe sections.

Distances between them

27 rivers in West Iceland

Hvítá

The white river feeding Gullfoss waterfall - part of every Golden Circle trip. The milky glacial water comes from Langjökull glacier. Hvítá means 'white' referring to the glacial sediment that gives it that color. River rafting is popular on the upper Hvítá. Multiple operators run trips from Reykjavík. The river passes geothermal areas - hot springs mix with glacial meltwater in some sections.

Botnsá river

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Fishing permits are required and often expensive for prime salmon rivers.

Reykjadalsá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Many rivers offer rafting opportunities - operators know the safe sections.

Geitá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Glacial rivers are cold, fast, and dangerous. Never underestimate current strength.

Andakílsá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Glacial rivers are cold, fast, and dangerous. Never underestimate current strength.

Langá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Glacial rivers are cold, fast, and dangerous. Never underestimate current strength.

Grímsá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. River conditions change rapidly with weather and glacier melt. Check before attempting crossings.

Hítará

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. River conditions change rapidly with weather and glacier melt. Check before attempting crossings.

Víðidalsá (Húnavatnssýsla)

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. River conditions change rapidly with weather and glacier melt. Check before attempting crossings.

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Suðurdalsá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. River conditions change rapidly with weather and glacier melt. Check before attempting crossings.

Svartá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. River conditions change rapidly with weather and glacier melt. Check before attempting crossings.

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Svelgsá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Many rivers offer rafting opportunities - operators know the safe sections.

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Svínadalsá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. River conditions change rapidly with weather and glacier melt. Check before attempting crossings.

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Svínadalsá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. River conditions change rapidly with weather and glacier melt. Check before attempting crossings.

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Svínafossá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. River conditions change rapidly with weather and glacier melt. Check before attempting crossings.

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Syðri-Kvísl

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Many rivers offer rafting opportunities - operators know the safe sections.

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Sámsstaðaá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. River conditions change rapidly with weather and glacier melt. Check before attempting crossings.

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Sælingsdalsá

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Fishing permits are required and often expensive for prime salmon rivers.

Síká

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Fishing permits are required and often expensive for prime salmon rivers.

Kverná

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. River conditions change rapidly with weather and glacier melt. Check before attempting crossings.

Hafnará

Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Many rivers offer rafting opportunities - operators know the safe sections.

Norðurá

Norðurá is a river that runs through the Borgarfjörður region in central west Iceland. It is a tributary of the Hvítá. Its origins are in Lake Holtavörðuvatn at 326 m altitude. Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Many rivers offer rafting opportunities - operators know the safe sections.

Öxará

Öxará is a lake-to-lake river in Iceland in Þingvellir National Park, a tributary of Lake Þingvallavatn. It descends to the rift forming Öxarárfoss, a waterfall. Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Glacial rivers are cold, fast, and dangerous. Never underestimate current strength.

Þverá

North Iceland river with trout fishing opportunities. Less famous than the salmon rivers but productive. Trout fishing is more accessible and affordable than salmon in Iceland. Þverá offers good prospects.

Kolbeinsá

Kolbeinsá is a farm and river about 10 km long in Westfjords, Iceland. Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Glacial rivers are cold, fast, and dangerous. Never underestimate current strength.

Fossá

Fossá is the name of several rivers in Iceland that are known for their waterfalls. The most well-known is Fossárdalur, which runs from Þingvellir towards the southern side of Hvalfjörður. This river is characterized by numerous waterfalls, with the most popular one located near Route 47, where car parking is available. Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Glacial rivers are cold, fast, and dangerous. Never underestimate current strength.

Haffjardara

Haffjarðará is a medium-sized gin-clear river at the start of Snæfellsnes peninsula in Iceland. The river runs from Oddastaðavatn lake about 20 km to the ocean. Haffjarðará has a healthy stock of native salmon running the river. The salmon stock is sustainable, no parrs have been released to the river and since 1974 it has been fly-fishing only. There is a full service fishing lodge next to the main road. 2013 was a record year with 2156 salmon. caught on 4-6 fishing rods. Icelandic river shaped by glaciers and volcanic landscape. Many rivers offer rafting opportunities - operators know the safe sections.