Hraunfossar
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Hraunfossar
About
Hraunfossar is an 8-meter waterfall on the Hvítá river in West Iceland.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Plan your visit
- Getting there
- Road 518
Parking- Car park with viewpoint
Water seeps as countless springs through the lava field and runs as small falls/rapids into the river- Protected since 1987
- Restaurant and souvenir shop on site, open year-round
- Adjacent to Barnafoss (Children's Falls)
Drive: Good·
Visit now·
30 min stop
Ring Road 1Checking…
F-roadsOpen
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Entry: Free
Parking: Free
No booking
Entry feeFree
ParkingFree
BookingNot needed
Getting thereCar recommended
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Blue hour—Cars & campers
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
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
VW Caravelle
Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.
TransmissionAutomaticFuelDieselSeats9Drive2WD
Key Camper Wild Duo
Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.
TransmissionManualFuelPetrol
Sleeps2Drive4WDTours near Hraunfossar
Small groups
Duration
Pickup
Activity
VehiclePhotos & videos
Reviews
Nearby
Waterfalls
A waterfall in West Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
A waterfall in West Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
A waterfall in West Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
A waterfall in West Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
Hot Springs
Hot pot in nature. Naturally heated, no facilities. Check conditions before going.
Geothermal spot. Naturally heated, no facilities. Respect the nature around it.
Hot spring in Highlands. Natural geothermal bathing spot.
Swimming_pool hot spring
Campsites
West Iceland camping. Access to Snæfellsnes peninsula and western attractions. Good…
The camping site at Husafell is a top site with lots of features. Close to the site you…
West Iceland camping. Access to Snæfellsnes peninsula and western attractions. Good…
The camp site has 80-100 spots for tents, trailers and RV’s. In 60 spots you’ll find…
Supermarkets
Supermarket — supplies
Supermarket — supplies
Bónus supermarket — supplies
Nettó supermarket — supplies
Gas stations
Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol
N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol
Orkan · 303.6 kr/L petrol
Orkan · 279.7 kr/L petrol
Tours
Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.
Frequently
asked
questions
How is Hraunfossar different from other waterfalls?
What's Barnafoss?
Why is the water so blue?
How far is Hraunfossar from Reykjavík?
Best time to visit Hraunfossar?
Data & sources
Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.
PexelsHero & gallery photography · Lyn Ong / Pexels
Visit West Iceland (west.is)Visitor access & practical facts · tourism board
WikipediaEncyclopedic description · CC BY-SA 4.0
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community
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