Hraunfossar

1,176 photos

Quick Facts

West

Region

variesm

Height

free ISK

Parking

Easy

Access

What is it

Unlike any other waterfall in Iceland. Water seeps through a lava field and emerges as hundreds of small rivulets pouring into the turquoise Hvítá river. Stretches for nearly a kilometer.

The Vibe

It's mesmerizing. Hundreds of streams trickling from under the lava, each one catching light differently. The water is impossibly blue. It's quiet, gentle — the opposite of power waterfalls.

Weather & conditions

Ring Road R1

Checking…

From Reykjavík to the foss

road.is

Wind

—

Loading…

Open-Meteo

Visibility

—

Loading…

Open-Meteo

Daylight

—

Loading…

Calculated

Today

—

Loading…

—

Aurora tonight

Live

—

Kp index

Loading aurora forecast…

Planetary K-index from NOAA SWPC, updated every 3 hours.

Aurora map

About

Hraunfossar

The Story

The water comes from Langjökull glacier, filtering through the porous Hallmundarhraun lava field for miles underground before emerging here. The lava flowed from a crater 1,500 years ago.

Real Talk

Right next to Barnafoss — do both. Easy access, parking lot nearby. The autumn colors here are incredible. Less crowded than south coast falls. Good cafe at the visitor center.

Visit

How to get there

Parking

free ISK fee, card payment.

Access

Easy walk from parking. Suitable for most visitors.

By road

Follow Ring Road (Route 1) to West Iceland. Check live conditions above before departing.

Best season

Best in year-round. Year-round access possible.

Map of Iceland

Google Maps

Save 15%
on cars
& campers

Book through us with KeyCar, Iceland's local rental company. Every rental keeps this platform free.

Browse all cars Browse all campers

SUV25% OFF

Dacia Duster 2022

5 seatsManual4WD

5,470 kr7,290 kr/ day

Best-sellers

Top experiences near Hraunfossar

Hand-picked tours from Iceland's best-rated operators — pre-book to skip the queue.

South Coast Full-Day Tour

10h · small group · from 14,990 kr

→

Glacier Hike + Skógafoss

8h · adventure · from 19,990 kr

→

Northern Lights from Hraunfossar

6h · winter only · from 12,990 kr

→

Photography Workshop — Waterfalls

5h · all levels · from 18,990 kr

→

Browse all tours

Photos

Anja M.

Daniel P.

Sofia L.

Marco R.

Elena K.

Tómas V.

Reviews

Anja Müller

Mar 28, 2026 · Sightseeing

Unique experienceWet & mistyParking availableFamily friendly

Walking behind a 60-meter waterfall is something you don't forget. We went at sunset and the light through the curtain was absolutely magical. Bring proper rain gear — you WILL get soaked through. The path is well-maintained but rocky.

Conditions: Wet, misty spray, soaked path

Parking: Paid, 800 ISK, large lot

Difficulty: Easy

Daniel Park

Feb 14, 2026 · Photography

Great light at sunriseCrowded in summerGljúfrabúi nearby

Best light at sunrise before the tour buses arrive. The path behind is slippery in winter but doable with spikes. Don't skip Gljúfrabúi next door — most tourists walk right past it, but it's a hidden waterfall inside a cave. Spectacular.

Conditions: Icy path, cold spray

Parking: Paid lot, small fee

Difficulty: Easy

Sofia Lindström

Jan 6, 2026 · Road trip

Winter closed behindIcyGreat views

Stopped here on a Ring Road trip in early January. The path behind the waterfall was closed due to ice — check conditions before you go if walking behind is the main reason. Still stunning from the front though.

Conditions: Snow, ice, closed path

Parking: Free in winter (closed booth)

Difficulty: Easy (front only)