Hraunfossar Waterfall

Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls formed by rivulets streaming over a distance of about 900 meters out of the Hallmundarhraun, a lava field that flowed from an eruption of one of the volcanoes lying under the glacier Langjökull. The waterfalls pour into Hvítá (Borgarfjörður), from ledges of less porous rock in the lava. The name comes from the Icelandic word for lava (hraun) and the word for waterfalls (fossar). The Hraunfossar are situated near Húsafell and Reykholt and the Víðgelmir lava tube is close by. The Hraunfossar waterfall, though peaceful and serene, is widely considered one of the most spectacular in Iceland. The location is also very convenient for waterfall hunters, as it sits right beside Barnafoss waterfall, another dramatic waterfall.

Barnafoss is a waterfall that is literally a stone's throw upstream from Hraunfossar. The waterfall of the children gets its name from an accident that is claimed to have occurred here in the past. There was a natural bridge across the waterfall, and two children from a nearby farm died crossing the river on it. Following that, the bereaved mother had the bridge demolished.