Brúarfoss Waterfall

Brúarfoss

Golden Circle

The quieter Golden Circle stop we love to let guests in on — Iceland's bluest waterfall, with water an almost unreal shade of turquoise, about 43 minutes from the cabin.

Our take on Brúarfoss

Brúarfoss is the Golden Circle stop we save for guests who want something a little off the main tour-bus circuit. It doesn't have the height of Gullfoss or the drama of a geyser — instead it's all about colour. The water funnels through narrow lava channels and fans out in this vivid, almost electric turquoise that genuinely surprises people. Photos never quite do it justice, and that's part of why we love sending people here.

A couple of honest pointers. First, this one takes a short walk: from the parking area at Hlauptunga it's about five minutes on foot to the falls, on a path that can be muddy after rain, so wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty. Second, and this is the tip most guests thank us for — the blue is at its best on an overcast or lightly cloudy day. Bright midday sun actually washes the colour out, so don't be put off by grey skies; that's often when it photographs best.

We'd set aside roughly half an hour to an hour, and treat it as one piece of a wider day rather than the whole trip. It sits between Geysir and Laugarvatn, so it slots neatly into a Golden Circle loop from the cabin. One thing we always stress: the river Brúará is fast and dangerous, so stay behind the barriers, keep well back from the edge, and keep a close eye on children.

Distance from Cabin

~45 km / about 43 minutes by car from Northern Lights Cabin via Route 37 (Laugarvatnsvegur).

Best Weather for the Colour

Go on an overcast or lightly cloudy day — that's when the turquoise really pops. Bright midday sun washes the blue out, so don't let grey skies put you off.

Visit Duration

30–60 minutes. About 5 minutes walk from the parking area at Hlauptunga. The Brúará hiking trail is also available (closed in winter).

Safety

The river Brúará is dangerous and has caused fatalities. Stay behind barriers, keep a safe distance from the edge, and supervise children at all times.

Admission

Parking fee applies. The parking area at Hlauptunga is open 24/7 and accessible from Road 37. Rated 9.6/10 by visitors.

Our Photos

Brúarfoss Gallery

Photos from our visits to Iceland's bluest waterfall on the Golden Circle.

Brúarfoss waterfall with turquoise blue water flowing through lava rock under a dramatic evening sky

Turquoise Cascade

The iconic blue water of Brúarfoss

Visitor with dog at the Brúarfoss viewpoint with wooden sign and railing

At the Viewpoint

The Brúarfoss viewing area with sign

Wide view of Brúarfoss with bright turquoise water cascading over dark lava rock at sunset

Evening Light

The blue water glows at golden hour

Panoramic view of Brúarfoss waterfall with green hills and cloudy sky in the background

Panorama

The waterfall in its highland setting

Person crossing the wooden footbridge over the Brúará river near the waterfall

The Bridge

Crossing the footbridge over Brúará

Brúarfoss waterfall close-up showing the vivid blue glacial water cascading over rocks with snow-capped mountains behind

Glacial Blue

The unmistakable colour of glacial water

Stunning overhead view of Brúarfoss with deep blue water fanning across the full width of the cascade

Iceland's Bluest

The full cascade in all its glory

Getting There

Location & Directions

Brúarfoss is about a 43 minute drive from Northern Lights Cabin on the Golden Circle.

From Northern Lights Cabin

Distance: ~45 km (28 miles)
Drive time: ~43 minutes
Route: Head north on Route 30, then take Route 37 (Laugarvatnsvegur) towards Laugarvatn. The parking area at Hlauptunga is signposted from the road.
Parking: Designated parking at Hlauptunga with a short 5-minute walk to the waterfall. Parking fee applies.

Good to Know

The river Brúará is extremely dangerous — always stay behind barriers and keep a safe distance from the edge.
The Brúará hiking trail offers a longer scenic walk but is closed during winter months.
The blue colour is most vivid on overcast days — bright sunshine can wash out the turquoise hue.
Combine with nearby Geysir (14 km), Gullfoss (25 km), and the Secret Lagoon at Flúðir for a perfect Golden Circle day.
Visit bruarfoss.is for current parking prices and trail conditions.