Helgufoss Waterfall
About Helgufoss Waterfall
Helgufoss is a small waterfall in Mosfellsdalur, the valley just north of Mosfellsbær on the edge of the capital area. The river Kaldakvísl pours through a narrow gap in dark rock and drops into a stony pool, with grassy slopes rising steeply on either side.
It won't compete with the big falls of the south coast, and that is the appeal. Most visitors heading for Þingvellir drive straight past the turnoff, so on a weekday you may have the place to yourself. The setting is a quiet green valley about 40 minutes by car from central Reykjavík.
To get to Helgufoss, follow Route 36 (Þingvallavegur) through Mosfellsdalur and take the marked turnoff to the small parking lot near the river. From there a trail runs upstream along the Kaldakvísl, and the walk to the waterfall takes about 20 minutes each way. It is easy and fairly flat, though the path gets muddy after rain and a few small streams cross it.
The same parking lot is the start of the marked trail up Grímannsfell, where the summit of Stórhóll stands 482 meters above sea level. That longer hike takes two to three hours round trip and returns past Helgufoss, so the waterfall works well as a rest stop on the way back down.
Summer and early fall are the best time to visit Helgufoss, when the trail is dry and the slopes are green. In winter the path can be icy, so bring traction spikes or skip the walk after a freeze. Plan about an hour for the round trip with time at the falls, which makes it an easy add-on to a Golden Circle day or a visit to Gljúfrasteinn, the writer Halldór Laxness's former home a few minutes down the road.
Good to know
Where is Helgufoss waterfall?
Helgufoss is in Mosfellsdalur, a valley in the municipality of Mosfellsbær just northeast of Reykjavík. It sits on the river Kaldakvísl, a short walk from a parking lot off Route 36, the road to Þingvellir.
How do you get to Helgufoss?
Drive Route 36 (Þingvallavegur) into Mosfellsdalur and take the marked turnoff to the Helgufoss parking lot. A trail follows the river upstream, and the walk to the falls takes about 20 minutes.
Is there parking at Helgufoss?
Yes, there is a small parking lot at the trailhead by the river, reached from a marked turnoff on Route 36. The same lot is the trailhead for hikers heading up Grímannsfell.
How long is the Helgufoss hike?
The walk from the parking lot to Helgufoss takes about 20 minutes each way on an easy, mostly flat trail. Allow about an hour for the round trip with time at the waterfall.
How far is Helgufoss from Reykjavík?
Helgufoss is about 25 kilometers from central Reykjavík, roughly 40 minutes by car including the turnoff into Mosfellsdalur. It is an easy detour on the way to Þingvellir and the Golden Circle.
Can you visit Helgufoss in winter?
Yes, the trail is open all year, but snow and ice make the riverside path slippery. Wear traction spikes and sturdy boots, and keep in mind that daylight is short from November to February.
Trip planning — free, no commitment
Put Helgufoss Waterfall on your route
Tell us your dates, pace and can’t-miss list — a local planner builds the route, stays and tours around it, and stays a text away while you travel.