Hraunfossar

Background

History & Background

The water that forms Hraunfossar has filtered through the porous lava field from the Langjökull glacier, emerging naturally along the riverbank. Just upstream is Barnafoss — 'Children's Falls' — named after a tragic legend in which two children fell into the river while crossing a natural stone arch bridge. Their grieving mother had the bridge destroyed to prevent further tragedy.

Hraunfossar is one of Iceland's most unusual waterfalls — not a single cascade but hundreds of tiny rivulets seeping through a porous lava field over a distance of about 900 meters, pouring into the turquoise Hvítá river below. The water originates from Langjökull glacier and filters through the underground lava tubes of Hallmundarhraun before emerging here. The contrast between the clear, cold springs and the glacial river creates vivid turquoise colors. A wooden boardwalk provides excellent viewing along the entire stretch.