A Day Trip To Waterfalls In West Iceland

Explore two beautiful waterfalls in Borgarfjörður

Many people visiting Iceland don't have much time for travelling, but still want to explore some of the beautiful attractions that are here. This article will tell you about some amazing waterfalls close to the capital city Reykjavík.

Its common that travelers do the Golden Circle route, which includes the Gullfoss waterfall and the geothermal area of Geysir, and of course I would still recommend you do that too. 

I think the attractions by the Golden Circle are the most visited in Iceland because they are easy to get to  (not so far from the city) and of course also because of their natural beauty. 

On the other hand I want to bring your attention to another beautiful destination that would also make the perfect day trip. 

The place I want to suggest is s located in Borgarfjordur, in western Iceland, only 1 hour away from the capital city of Reykjavík. 

They are called Hraunfossar, which translates to "Lava waterfalls", and Barnafoss, which means "Children´s waterfall". 

Hraunfossar waterfalls

The waterfalls of Hraunfossar is a real treasure. It´s best described as a collection of countless creeks and cascades small and big streaming out of the lava over a distance of about 900 metres.

The glacier Langjökull is visible from this point of view and this lava field is a construction from one of the volcanoes lying under the glacier. 

What I love about this phenomenal lava flow is the color of the water or the river. Sometimes its dazzling and turquoise but occasionally you will see it as milky white. Whatever the color is its an impressive scene both worth enjoying or photographing.

Barnafoss waterfall

Above Hraunfossar (lava falls) there is another famous waterfall called Barnafoss (children´s fall). According to legend Barnafoss takes its name from two children who fell into the waterfall. 

The story is something like this: Long time ago there was a widow living on a farm nearby with her two young children. 

One day the widow went to a Christmas service but left her children at home. When the widow came back from the evening service her children had disappeared. People went searching and found their footsteps leading to the stone arch over the river. 

Their mother had the arch destroyed promising that no one would ever cross the falls alive again. Iceland has many spooky stories like this one that my opinion makes places even more interesting.

This is a great day trip with beautiful waterfalls, lava, hiking trails and old folk tales. Yes I do recommend a tour up there.  Do not hesitate to contact if you want to go there or need more information about this beautiful place!

If you want to visit this gorgeous waterfalls by driving your self you can rent a car in Reykjavík 

See also:

Deep into the glacier/ Ice tunnel tour into Langjökull glacier

Golden circle tours

Rent a car to go there

Snæfellsnes and west Iceland

Top 10 Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland

Waterfalls in Iceland

Hraunfossar / Lava waterfalls

Plan Your Trip: Hraunfossar