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How To Do The Hengifoss Waterfall Hike In Iceland

Posted at 03 Jun 2024

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    Hengifoss Waterfall has to be one of the most incredible waterfalls in the whole country of Iceland, although it does have some tough competition from Dynjandi and Haifoss. This thing looks like something from Mars. The big lines of red clay sandwiched between the rock layers give it such a bizarre, unbelievable look. I almost skipped the Hengifoss hike because it was a cloudy day and I wasn’t sure if the falls were worthwhile, but I’m so glad I decided to give it a look! It takes about 1 hour to hike to Hengifoss and the views are just out of this world. It’s not a very difficult hike, but there’s a significant elevation gain of about 300 meters (980 feet). You cross a few streams and sheep fences along the way, but there are bridges at each of them so that part isn’t bad at all. The photo above was taken with a drone, but you can easily take some great photos of this waterfall from the ground too. Hengifoss is the 2nd tallest waterfall in Iceland, at 130 meters (420 feet)! The Litlanesfoss is a nice 2-step waterfall you’ll pass on your way to Hengifoss, around the 1 kilometer mark in the hike. Like the Svartifoss waterfall in Skaftafell, this one is surrounded by cool looking basalt rock columns. Litlanesfoss may not be the biggest waterfall in Iceland at 30 meters tall, but it wins in uniqueness, and it’s a freebie if you’re already hiking to Hengifoss. Two incredible waterfalls in one short hike! EXTRA: Litlanesfoss Waterfall Hengifoss is about 700 kilometers (430 mi) from Reykjavik, way off in eastern Iceland. From Egilsstadir, drive along the Ring Road (Route 1) towards Fellabaer. You don’t need 4 wheel drive to visit Hengifoss; any 2 wheel drive vehicle can reach the parking lot, where it’s a 1 hour hike to the waterfall. You can follow this Google Maps walking route from the parking lot to the waterfall. No parking fee or entrance fee is required to hike to the falls, as of 2024.

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