The short, fierce rapids that cut through the narrow canyon at Barnafoss resemble a pale blue milkshake. The name Barnafoss means “Children’s Falls,” and it comes from a story about two young boys who disappeared many years ago from the nearby Hraunsás farm. The waterfall is among the most popular tourist attraction in West Iceland.
Once upon a time, a wealthy woman lived at Hraunsás, not far from Húsafell. She had two young sons. One Christmas day she went with her entire household to the Gilsbakki church north of the river. Both her boys stayed behind. She told her sons to stay at home and not to stray from the house while she was away. However, after everybody had gone the boys grew bored and decided to follow the others to church.
They walked down to the Hvítá river and the natural stone arch that bridged the river. The arch was rather narrow, with a long drop down to the river and the waterfall beneath. The boys were frightened, and they held hands to cross the river.
Things went well until they reached the middle of the stone arch and looked down into the water. They grew so dizzy that they fell from the bridge into the river and drowned. Afterwards, their grieving mother destroyed the arch and put a curse on it that no person would ever be allowed to cross the falls alive. (Therefore, we don’t recommend trying to cross the waterfall!) There actually once was a stone arch spanning the river.
Barnafoss viewpoint
Barnafoss has been a protected natural monument since 1987. The waterfall has been evolving through recorded history, as the river has dug itself down through the lava and now runs in a deep and narrow ravine.
A short trail leads from the car park to the waterfall. A viewpoint gives you a spectacular view of the falls. Not far away is the stunning series of waterfalls Hraunfossar, flowing out of a lava field into Hvítá. A coffee shop is open during the summer months.
