Hike to Barnafoss and the nearby Hraunfossar waterfalls

Experience the power of water forcing its way through narrow rock gorges. Barnafoss in western Iceland is a wild, narrow waterfall where the water of the Hvítá river plunges in several cascades through deep cuts in the cooled lava field Hallmundarhraun. Located not far from the village of Húsafell, it is part of the Borgarfjörður region and is often visited together with the nearby Hraunfossar.

Barnafoss is not a classic vertical waterfall but impresses with its unique current. Over thousands of years, the turquoise-blue water has carved its way deep into the black lava rock and today rushes through a narrow gorge. From the constructed viewing platforms you can admire this natural spectacle from different perspectives. A short hiking trail links Barnafoss with Hraunfossar, so you can explore both waterfalls in about 20 to 30 minutes.

The surroundings are characterised by mosses, birch woods and cooled lava fields that form a sensitive ecosystem. The contrast between the bright blue water and the dark lava rocks makes Barnafoss a striking photo subject, especially in autumn when the birches change colour.