Hengifoss is a 128 m (420 ft) waterfall in Fljótsdalur, East Iceland, the third highest in the country and the most popular hiking destination in the region. The trail climbs about 2 km from the car park, passes Litlanesfoss after 1.2 km, and takes 40 to 60 minutes each way. This page contains partner links: if you book, we earn a commission at no cost to you.
Highlights
Hengifoss itself
a single drop into a gorge, with thin red layers of clay between the dark basalt layers.
Litlanesfoss
about 1.2 km from the car park, a fall roughly 25 to 30 m high ringed by basalt columns.
The gorge
steep paths with loose gravel lead into the canyon; take care.
The lake
Lagarfljót lies below, and the walk gives views over the valley.
Practical info
Tips
- The trail is moderately steep but not very difficult, with about 5 km round trip and some 300 m of climbing. A new service centre by the car park has rangers who give information, and a food truck is across the bridge, about two minutes away. The car park is by the road and can fill in July; if it is full, continue 5 km up the valley to the Vatnajökull National Park visitor centre at Skriðuklaustur and return later. In summer, free ranger-led one-hour walks to Litlanesfoss run on weekday mornings, from 15 June to 15 August. Stay back from the canyon edge, especially with children, and do not enter the gorge below the main fall in winter because of falling ice. Egilsstaðir is about 35 km away by either side of the lake. For a wider East Iceland route, read Seyðisfjörður, Stuðlagil canyon and Iceland car rental; the Discover Cars page for Iceland is linked in the box above.
How to get there
The car park is by the road in Fljótsdalur, about 35 km from Egilsstaðir by either side of Lake Lagarfljót. Follow the signs for Hengifoss.
Opening hours
Nearby
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