West Iceland · Iceland
Hraunfossar
Hraunfossar — 'Lava Falls' — is a remarkable series of waterfalls stretching over 900 meters where crystal-clear water emerges directly from beneath a lava field and flows into the glacial Hvítá river.
About Hraunfossar
Hraunfossar — 'Lava Falls' — is a remarkable series of waterfalls stretching over 900 meters where crystal-clear water emerges directly from beneath a lava field and flows into the glacial Hvítá river.
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.
Key Facts
- ✔Water emerges directly from beneath a 900-year-old lava field
- ✔Stretches over 900 meters along the river
- ✔Crystal clear water filtered through porous lava from Langjökull
- ✔Barnafoss waterfall nearby is named after a tragic local legend
- ✔Located near Reykholt in Borgarfjörður
