The Hraunfossar waterfalls (Lava Falls) in Borgarfjörður are exceptionally beautiful and unusual. Visitors say that the water seems to magically appear from the lava. However, it is actually a clear spring surging through lava and into the glacial Hvítá River.
The Hraunfossar falls are distinctive for their turquoise blue waters, which give a beautiful flourish to the surrounding landscape. As a result, Hraunfossar became a National Monument in 1987.
This series of waterfalls comes from rivulets streaming over a distance of about 90 metres (300 feet) out of Hallmundarhraun. Indeed, this mystical lava field flowed from an eruption of a volcano lying under Langjökull glacier over a thousand years ago.
Engineered waterfall?
The Icelandic literary work Heiðarviga Saga mentions a medieval engineer named Músa-Bölverkur. He lived at the farm Hraunsás, and the Saga mentions he diverted the Hvítá River’s course to the north of the hill Hraunsás. It lies there today.
Hraunfossar viewpoint
A viewpoint at the car park gives visitors an amazing view over Hraunfoss, the nearby Barnafoss, and Hvítá River. Locals built a pedestrian bridge across the river in 1891, and they renovated it exactly a century later. Moreover, a hiking trail leads from Hraunfossar to the brilliantly blue Barnafoss (Children’s Falls).
During the summer months, you can get coffee and refreshments at a shop near the falls.
Where are the Hraunfossar falls?
Hraunfossar falls are situated near Húsafell, Reykholt, and the Viðgelmir lava-tube cave. The waterfalls are about 122 km from Reykjavík, a 1 hour and 40 minute drive.
GPS: 64.7029° N, 20.9772° W
