A Guide to Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss Hike in Iceland
Are you looking for an easy yet rewarding hike in east Iceland? Hike to Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss Waterfall, one of the country's highest waterfalls, might be exactly what you are looking for. Our travel guide has everything you need to know before visiting Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss, including where to stay and how to get there.
If you plan to explore east Iceland, take a break from the fjords, and travel more inland again, we have a great tip on a short trip that will take you to two unique waterfalls, Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss.
You've probably already noticed that there is no shortage of waterfalls in Iceland.
And if you've been traveling around the country for a while, you might also have a feeling there is nothing that can surprise you anymore.
Well, we hope that the third-highest waterfall in Iceland will prove you wrong.
The hike to Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss is one of the most popular trails in the area, sought by both locals and international visitors.
When we were planning our Iceland itinerary and specifically the East Fjords itinerary, we were not sure whether we'd be able to fit all the must-visit places as we wanted.
Our plan was bold; we wanted to visit Seydisfjordur town, hike to Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss, and finally to see puffins in Borgarfjordur, and all of that in only one day.
Luckily, days in the summer in Iceland are very long, so the detour off the Ring Road to Hengifoss was doable and, as it turned out, worth it.
If you plan on hiking the Hengifoss Waterfall hike (Litlanesfoss is along the way), keep on reading.
In this travel guide, we share what you can expect from the hike, tips on how to get there, and where to stay in the area.
Trail Description
The hike to Hengifoss is an in-and-out trail, 2.5 kilometers one way (5 kilometers total).
Approximately in the middle, after 1.2 kilometers, you will reach Litlanesfoss, which is another spectacular waterfall on the way, that is unfortunately very often overshadowed by more impressive Hengifoss.
Anyway, you should not miss it. Well, it's almost impossible to do so.
The first half of the hike to Hengifoss leads steadily uphill with some steeper sections, but it is nothing an averagely fit traveler could not manage.
The hike up can take you between 45 minutes and 1 hour and 15 minutes; depending on your pace, most people can reach the top in one hour.
The walk back to the parking lot leads downhill all the time, so allocate thirty to fifty minutes for return.
Overall, the hike to Hengifoss usually takes two hours.
Hengifoss & Litlanesfoss Hike
Hengifoss, with its 128 meters, is the third highest waterfall in Iceland, it is visible from the road, but believe us, it is really worth it to get out of the car and have a closer look.
Plus, the smaller but equally interesting Litlanesfoss is on the way - to see this one, you need to get closer as it is hidden in the gorge.
What is the hike like? Let's find out.
Trailhead
Similar to Skogafoss Waterfall Way Hike, the hike to Hengifoss is actually very straightforward, so do not be worried you get lost; just follow the well-trodden path.
First, you must go through a gate and climb a flight of stairs.
It is a nice warm-up, but nothing that should put you off.
Then you must walk through another gate (close it behind you), and you emerge on a natural trail that will eventually take you to Hengifoss.
Litlanesfoss
The trail climbs steadily up and leads you unmistakeably to Litlanesfoss, which is a great place to take a short break.
Have we mentioned that Iceland usually rewards you on every step?
Well, Litlanesfoss, which is located halfway between the parking lot, and Hengifoss just proves that.
To see Litlanesfoss, you must walk to the very edge of the gorge.
Even though this waterfall is probably not the main reason you've decided on this hike, it does not mean this natural attraction does not deserve your attention.
Litlanesfoss is 30 meters high, but it is not the height but the beautiful basalt columns surrounding it that makes it special.
Basalt columns were created by volcanic activity, and you can see them in other must-visit places, such as Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park, Dettifoss, or on Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
Hengifoss
Then the trail continues uphill (this section is a bit steeper), but the views of Hengifoss are very close now.
Approximately 300 meters before you reach Hengifoss, the trail starts to lead along the river.
And there were a few sections where we had to walk carefully across the stream using stones to protect our shoes from soaking wet.
The conditions were dry. Still, we were glad we were wearing our hiking boots, and we recommend you to wear them as well.
This section is very short, and in a bit, you'll be standing in front of Hengifoss.
Hengifoss is not exceptional only for its height but mostly for clearly visible red layers of clay carved between basaltic layers.
These layers are very eye-catching and photogenic, but you can also see various stages of how Iceland was formed by combinations of volcanic times and times of cooling.
Unlike at Seljalandsfoss or Kvernufoss, there is a viewpoint and sign in front of Hengifoss, and for your safety, you should not attempt to go any further.
Once you are done with taking photos and you took time to relax for a while, it is time to get back to the parking lot. This time, it is an easy walk downhill.
Entrance Fee
There is no entrance fee to Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss.
How to Get to Hengifoss Trailhead
Hengifoss trailhead is well-accessible. The only downside is you will most likely need a car to get there.
Car and Campervan
Well, it should not be such a problem as Iceland is one of the countries where a rental car is required to see the best attractions Iceland has to offer.
At least if your time for exploring the country is limited.
We enjoyed our two weeks in a 2WD campervan, that took us wherever we needed, including these waterfalls.
Directions
When traveling in the East Fjords area, you can turn to road 95 and then road 931, leading along the lake to the parking lot.
Because we wanted to drive along the fjords a bit longer, we arrived in Egilsstadir via road number 1, and here we joined road number 95 and then 931.
This eastern part of the road is fully paved.
But you can also follow road 931 on the western part of the lake in the direction to Fellabaer, which is not yet fully paved.
Still, you can make a loop and not return the same way.
It takes approximately 30 minutes (it is 36 kilometers) to reach the Hengifoss parking lot from Egilsstadir.
Parking
The parking lot is quite large and free of charge, there are also toilets and trash bins.
Public Transport
There is no public bus directly stopping at Hengifoss Waterfall trailhead.
Bike
But we saw quite a lot of bikers, so in case you do not have your transport, it is possible to rent a bike in Egilsstadir or in one of the hotels along the way and make a challenging day trip.
Best Hotels Near Hengifoss
Hengifoss is a short drive from Egilsstadir, and the main road leading to this transportation hub of East Iceland is lined with hotels and guest houses, so there are quite many accommodation options.
Do not forget that the area is popular among both local and international travelers, so make your reservation well in advance, especially if you travel around Iceland between June and August.
We've handpicked the three best hotels near Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss for every type of traveler.
Budget | Laufas Guesthouse - In the very heart of Egilsstadir, this hostel offers bright and clean rooms for a very reasonable price.
Mid-range | Eyjolfsstadir Guesthouse - Short drive from the city and the waterfalls, this guesthouse offers everything a traveler needs. Perfect location and simple yet modernly-decorated rooms.
Luxury | Hotel 1001 Nott - Newly opened hotel offers great views, friendly staff, superb breakfast, and wonderfully decorated rooms. It is an amazing place to spend the night after a long day on the road.
The Best Time to Visit Hengifoss
Hengifoss is certainly not a hike off the beaten path.
It is an all-year-round attraction, but the summer months from June to August attract crowds, and sometimes the parking lot can be even full at peak times.
Still, we could see that the path is wide and well taken care of, same as the parking lot and toilets.
So it seems local authorities want to make sure visitors feel comfortable here even with so many visitors.
Plan your visit for the shoulder or off-season to avoid crowds. Just be careful in the winter as the path can be slippery.
Here you can find more information on the best time to visit Iceland
Be careful when you stand on the edge of the gorge as well. It can be dangerous, so stay safe.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Pack
The hike is somewhat short, so the rule of thumb is not to overpack.
Pack according to the weather. As the weather in Iceland can change within seconds, we always had with us a rain jacket or at least a rain poncho, just in case.
Even though this is not the longest hike, you might want to bring some energy bars and a water bottle.
For more tips, check out our guide on what to pack for Iceland.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
