Háifoss Waterfall
Our pick for guests who want to leave the crowds behind — a pair of towering waterfalls dropping into a vast highland canyon, about an hour and a half from the cabin, and a spot you may recognise from Stranger Things.
Why we love Háifoss
Háifoss (the name simply means "High Falls") is the trip we suggest when guests have already ticked off the easy Golden Circle stops and want something wilder. It's about an hour and a half from the cabin, the last stretch on a gravel road, and that bit of effort is exactly why it stays so quiet. You arrive at the canyon rim and the whole thing just opens up beneath you — it genuinely takes people a moment to find their footing.
What makes it special is that you don't get one waterfall, you get two. Háifoss plunges down one wall of the gorge and its neighbour, Granni, falls right alongside it, both dropping into the same deep canyon. We think the late-afternoon and evening light is when it's at its best, with the sun catching the far wall — bring a camera and give yourself time to just stand and take it in.
A word from us on practicalities: this is a summer trip. The gravel road is generally open and drivable from around June to September, and we'd always check conditions before you set off — ask us at the cabin and we'll tell you how it's looking. There are no facilities up there, so pack water, snacks and warm layers, and keep well back from the unfenced edge. On the way you'll pass the reconstructed old farm at Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng, which is a nice short stop to fold in. If the highland road isn't open, the closer waterfalls down on the south coast like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss make a good alternative.
Distance from Cabin
~100 km / about 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Northern Lights Cabin via Route 32 and gravel road.
Best Time to Visit
June to September, when the gravel road is open. Aim for the long afternoon and evening light, and always check road conditions first.
Visit Duration
1–2 hours at the viewpoint. Also possible as a 5–6 hour round-trip hike from the historical farm Stöng. Best visited June–September.
Stranger Things
Featured as a filming location for Netflix's Stranger Things. The dramatic canyon setting provided the perfect otherworldly backdrop.
Admission
Free entry. No parking fee. Access via gravel road (suitable for most vehicles in summer, but check conditions).
Háifoss Gallery
Photos of this magnificent waterfall and its dramatic canyon setting in the Icelandic highlands.
Location & Directions
Háifoss is about a 1 hour 30 minute drive from Northern Lights Cabin into the scenic Icelandic highlands.
From Northern Lights Cabin
- Distance: ~100 km (62 miles)
- Drive time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
- Route: Head east on Route 30 towards Flúðir, then take Route 32 north past Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng. A gravel road leads to the parking area above the waterfall.
- Parking: Free parking area near the canyon rim, with a short walk to the viewpoint.
Good to Know
- The gravel road to Háifoss can be rough — a sturdy car is recommended, though not necessarily a 4x4 in good conditions. Always check road conditions before driving.
- Best visited from June to September when the road is open and accessible. The road may be closed in winter.
- Stay well back from the canyon edge — the cliffs are unfenced and the drop is extreme.
- Combine with a visit to the reconstructed Viking-age farm Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng on the way.
- There are no facilities at Háifoss — bring your own food, water, and warm clothing.