Barnafoss & Hraunfossar

Why I recommend it

This stop is worth it because you get two very different waterfalls in one place. Hraunfossar is the calmer, more unusual one: countless little streams of water seep out from underneath the lava and fall into the river below. It almost looks like the landscape itself is leaking. Barnafoss is the complete opposite. The river is forced through a narrow rocky channel, creating fast, violent blue water and a much more dramatic atmosphere. The contrast between the two is what makes the stop so memorable.

What to do

Walk the full path between Hraunfossar and Barnafoss rather than choosing just one. The viewpoints are close together, and the walk is easy, so there is really no reason not to see both. Take your time at Hraunfossar especially, the more you look, the more little streams you notice appearing from beneath the lava.

Good to know

This is a very easy stop to add to a West Iceland road trip, but the paths can get slippery when wet or icy. Barnafoss is also a place where the water looks deceptively beautiful. The current is extremely strong, so stay behind the barriers and do not try to get closer to the river.