Hraunfossar and Barnafoss

From the car park take the short path to the main viewing platform over Hraunfossar, where spring water runs out from under the Hallmundarhraun lava in dozens of small falls into the milky Hvítá. Follow the upper path east along the river and take the little spur to the Barnafoss viewpoint. Then walk out over the Barnafoss footbridge for the view down into the gorge and come back across. Return west on the inner path through the birch scrub to the car park.

It is 0.7 km round with 6 m of ascent; allow about half an hour. The grade is Easy: built paths and boardwalks, partly suitable for wheelchairs.

At Barnafoss the whole river is forced through a narrow rock channel full of potholes; a legend tells of two children who fell from a natural stone arch here. The water is fast and cold, so stay on the paths and behind the railings. The site is open all year and looked after by a ranger, but from late autumn to spring the boardwalks and the bridge can be icy. Both falls have been a protected natural monument since 1987.

We found no parking fee. The car park is off road 518, about 45 minutes' drive from Borgarnes. No bus serves the falls.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.