Hafragilsfoss

Hafragilsfoss is a waterfall on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river in northeast Iceland, located in the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. It is one of several dramatic falls on this river and is noted for its narrow, steep-sided gorge and strong flow.

The fall drops roughly 27 meters into a basalt-lined chasm and is framed by steep cliffs and columnar lava formations. Viewpoints on the canyon rim give close views of the plunge and the river’s turbulent flow; photographers often use the rim viewpoints to capture the scale of the gorge.

The gorge and falls were carved by repeated glacial floods and ongoing river erosion; the present canyon exposes layered volcanic bedrock and steep terraces. Hafragilsfoss sits downstream from Dettifoss and is part of the same river system that shaped the broader Jökulsárgljúfur landscape.

Geographically it lies in Iceland’s Northeastern Region within the Jökulsárgljúfur area, now administered as part of Vatnajökull National Park. The site is reached from the local gravel access roads that branch off the main routes through the region.

• Height: The waterfall drops about 27 meters into a narrow basalt gorge, producing powerful spray and a deep plunge pool.
• Viewing tips: Best viewed from the canyon rim walkways that run along both sides of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river; water flow is highest in late spring and early summer during glacial melt.