A Guide to Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Waterfalls in West Iceland
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are two beautiful waterfalls in the western part of Iceland within driving distance from Reykjavik. Visit with us photogenic lava waterfall Hraunfossar and gorgeously blue Barnafoss. This travel guide includes tips on how to get, where to stay, and what to expect.
Our Iceland road trip was slowly coming to an end. To be honest, we left the itinerary for the last few days a bit open and vague.
One of the reasons was that we found it quite hard to plan things to see and do in the area near Reykjavik.
Luckily, everything turned out great, and days we thought would be a bit dull, or at least not that spectacular as the top attractions we had seen during the previous almost two weeks, proved us wrong.
Yes, it is impossible to travel around Iceland and think nothing can surprise you anymore.
Having seen dozens of beautiful waterfalls in Iceland before arriving in the west part of the country, some of them gems like Dettifoss, Seljalandsfoss, or Dynjandi, we were not sure we want to see even more waterfalls.
We admit that we were probably a bit spoiled by waterfalls, and when we saw there are potentially several more to visit before driving to Reykjavik and Reykjanes Peninsula, we did not feel too enthusiastic about visiting them.
Fortunately, our blog often pushes us to visit places to have more material to write about, and in the end, we are often grateful this work of ours is so rewarding.
This is how we ended up at Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. And later that day, we did a hike to second-tallest waterfall in Iceland, Glymur.
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are two waterfalls within walking distance from each other, so it gives you a chance to tick off two attractions from your list of must-visit things in almost no time.
Moreover, both waterfalls are very close to the parking lot, so they are easily accessible by every type of traveler.
The whole visit won't take you more than thirty minutes (plus the driving time).
Therefore, both Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are great stops on your road trip, no matter if you are headed to the capital city or in direction to
Moreover, both waterfalls are very close to the parking lot, so they are easily accessible by every type of traveler.
The whole visit won't take you more than thirty minutes (plus the driving time); therefore, both Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are great stops on your road trip, no matter if you are headed to the capital city or in direction to Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
In this travel guide, we would like to inspire you to include extraordinary Hraunfossar and Barnafoss in your Iceland itinerary.
We've put together practical information and tips on where to stay, when is the best time to visit, and how to get there.
Visiting Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
In our opinion, Hraunfossar is out of the two waterfalls the main highlight in the area, so we headed in this direction first.
Both waterfalls are very close to the parking lot, so these sites were very easy to visit, and we did not have to carry a backpack with extra clothes for Iceland's ever-changing weather, which was quite a pleasant change.
Still, if you are not sure what to pack for the day, this article Iceland Summer Packing List might be perfect for you.
The parking lot is quite large, and you'll find here a restaurant and toilets. In no time, we reached the first viewing platform of Hraunfossar.
Well, it would be an understatement to say that Hraunfossar was so beautiful as in photos. It was actually much better. It was a sunny day, so the sun highlighted the turquoise color, something this particular cascade is famous for.
Hraunfossar is a type of waterfall we had never seen before.
First of all, when we reached the viewing platform, we could not gather what we see.
Hraunfossar means, in translation Lava Falls for a reason.
When a volcano nearby erupted, it created a lava field that covered the area, and water from the melting Langjokull glacier makes its way through a porous rock covered with moss.
Smaller and bigger rivulets flow to the Hvita river and create an unusual sight.
The area is very well-maintained, and there are several viewing platforms from where you can take wonderful photos of the waterfall from different angles.
Only a short walk from Hraunfossar is Barnafoss, and you should not miss it, even though we did not find it as cool as Hraunfossar.
This waterfall is yet completely different.
It makes its way through a narrow canyon; therefore, it is very powerful, especially after rain or when nearby glaciers melt.
Barnafoss means in translation Children's Falls based on an unfortunate story about two boys who drowned here.
When to Go
The parking lot near both waterfalls is well accessible, even in the winter.
Therefore, you can visit Hraunfossar and Barnafoss all year round, which is definitely an advantage if you plan your trip outside the main season, for whatever reason, for example, to save money.
As you do not need to make much effort to reach the falls, the visit is really doable even during the colder months.
Actually, the photos of the blue waterfall in combination with black lava and white snow look truly exceptional.
On the other hand, when it rains too much, the water changes color, and the Hvita river is rather grayish, so it is good to visit any information center nearby and ask about the current conditions.
We are not saying you should not visit these waterfalls when the weather is bad, but it will help you set your expectations right.
Thanks to the position close to the Ring Road and strategical location close to Reykjavik, to avoid crowds, plan your visit either for the morning or late afternoon.
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!
How to Get to Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
The best way to get to Hraunfossar and Barnafoss is by rental car or campervan.
We had a campervan which turned out to be very useful as it gave us the flexibility to visit attractions that are a bit more off the beaten path, and we could even squeeze a trip to Westfjords in our itinerary.
Directions
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are located less than two hours from Reykjavik and only thirty minutes from road number 1.
There are several roads you can choose from to get to the parking lot; all of them are paved.
From Ring Road, we turned to road number 50 and then to road 518 that led us to the waterfalls.
This road is sealed, and we had a chance to visit a lovely Reykholt village along the way.
Tour
Another option is to take a West Iceland tour that will take you to some of the best places in west Iceland, including the falls.
Where to Stay
Thanks to the location, it is most likely that these falls won't be your last stops on your itinerary, so choosing the best accommodation might be a bit tricky, and it depends on your plans.
Your options on where to spend a night are plentiful.
You can find accommodation close to the Glymur waterfall, but you can continue to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Reykjavik, or Borgarnes, a small transportation hub in the area.
We've handpicked the best hotel in each location to make your trip as smooth as possible.
Hvalfjordur | Hotel Glymur - Only 16 kilometers from Glymur, this accommodation offers wonderfully decorated rooms. Some of the rooms have a sea view, so make your reservation well ahead to secure one of them.
Arnarstapi | Arnarstapi Hotel - Comfortable, well-designed rooms and a peaceful atmosphere makes this place an oasis in cold Iceland.
Reykjavik | Hotel Klettur - If you are looking for accommodation in the capital city that is decent but that will not break the bank, this conveniently located hotel is a good choice.
Borgarnes | B59 Hotel - New modern hotel offers travelers much-needed comfort. Borgarnes is a well-situated town from where you can continue your Iceland road trip.
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.
