Hengifoss

About Hengifoss

Hengifoss waterfall is a 128-meter drop in Fljótsdalur valley, East Iceland, at the inner end of Lake Lagarfljót about 35 km from Egilsstaðir. It's one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland and the best-known hike in the east, and the red stripes in its gorge are what people remember.

Those stripes are thin red layers between dark lava flows, the remains of old soils baked between eruptions millions of years ago. You can drive either shore of the lake to get there, Route 931 on the west side or Route 95 and then Route 931 along the east side through Hallormsstaður forest. Both take roughly 40 minutes, and the parking lot is right by the main road.

The Hengifoss trail starts through a gate by the service center and climbs a flight of stairs, then follows a gravel path for about 2 km. It's moderately steep without being difficult, and most people reach the viewpoint in 40 to 60 minutes. Plan on two hours or so for the round trip with stops.

About 1.2 km up you pass Litlanesfoss, a smaller fall of roughly 25 to 30 meters framed by unusually tall basalt columns. Many hikers like it as much as the main event. Side paths drop into the canyon below Hengifoss, but they're steep and loose, and the gorge edges are a real fall risk, so keep children close.

Summer and early fall are the easiest months, when the path is dry and the light lasts. In winter the upper trail can be icy, so bring microspikes and check the official road-conditions map before driving. Rangers at the service center can tell you how the trail is that day.

The parking lot is paid. Check the signs and pay on arrival, since unpaid visits are usually billed later with an added fee. After the hike, Skriðuklaustur and the Snæfellsstofa visitor center are just a few minutes down the road.