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- The braided lava waterfalls of Hraunfossar — A string of delicate streams pouring out from under the dark Hallmundarhraun lava into the Hvítá river. It doesn’t fall from a single cliff but seeps through cracks in the lava over a long stretch, which makes for a quietly surreal, curtain-like cascade. (Personal favorite — it’s oddly calming and photogenic at the same time.)
- Barnafoss (the “Children’s Falls”) — Just a short walk upstream, this narrow, thundering canyon is the graphic counterpoint to Hraunfossar’s gentleness. It’s dramatic, loud, and wrapped in a grim local folktale about two children — great for contrast photos and a quick dose of Icelandic storytelling.
- Hallmundarhraun lava field — Walk the edges and you’ll see the black, jagged lava that forces water to re-emerge in thousand
- The braided lava waterfalls of Hraunfossar — A string of delicate streams pouring out from under the dark Hallmundarhraun lava into the Hvítá river. It doesn’t fall from a single cliff but seeps through cracks in the lava over a long stretch, which makes for a quietly surreal, curtain-like cascade. (Personal favorite — it’s oddly calming and photogenic at the same time.)
- Barnafoss (the “Children’s Falls”) — Just a short walk upstream, this narrow, thundering canyon is the graphic counterpoint to Hraunfossar’s gentleness. It’s dramatic, loud, and wrapped in a grim local folktale about two children — great for contrast photos and a quick dose of Icelandic storytelling.
- Hallmundarhraun lava field — Walk the edges and you’ll see the black, jagged lava that forces water to re-emerge in thousand tiny streams. The geology is the whole point here: the lava’s porosity and fractures create the unusual way the river appears rather than a single source. Good spot for nerdy geology appreciation without much hiking.
- Viewing platforms and riverside trails — There are several easy, well-marked platforms and short trails that let you change perspectives from wide panoramas to close-up shots. Paths can be damp and slippery, and some lower viewpoints have steps, so wear decent shoes. The layout makes it a great half-hour to two-hour stop depending on how much photography you do.
- Winter ice sculptures and seasonal moods — In winter the falls dress in ice: frozen cascades, blue icy edges, and steam where warm water meets cold air. It’s a very different vibe from summer greenery and worth timing if you like dramatic contrasts. Also a good place for aurora hunting on a clear, dark night if the clouds cooperate.
- Sound and atmosphere — Hraunfossar isn’t about one “wow” drop — it’s about the soft, constant hiss of many streams, birds, mossy lava, and that wide, open valley feeling. Sit on a rock or a bench and you’ll get why people linger; it’s peaceful without being empty of life or motion.
- Nearby hot-spring culture: Deildartunguhver & Krauma — A short drive away is Europe’s high-flow hot spring (Deildartunguhver) and the nearby Krauma baths that use that geothermal water. Useful if you want to pair sightseeing with a soak — practical reward after a day of roadside exploring and a nice way to experience Icelandic geothermal culture close to Hraunfossar.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.