Háifoss & Granni Rim Walk

The Háifoss hike takes you to the edge of one of the most impressive gorges in Iceland. Háifoss, the High Falls, drops about 122 m from the highland plateau into a vast amphitheatre of layered rock in the Fossárdalur valley, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. Right beside it, its twin Granni plunges over the same cliff, and together they create a scene that photographs rarely do justice to.

This rim walk is about 2.5 km out and back with around 100 m of ascent and takes one to one and a half hours. From the car park on the plateau, the path follows the edge of the gorge to viewpoints facing both waterfalls, with the option of continuing along the rim for different angles. There are no fences, and the drop is enormous, so it suits sure-footed walkers.

Háifoss sits at the edge of the highlands in the Þjórsárdalur area, near other sights such as Hjálparfoss, the Stöng Viking-age farm ruins, the reconstructed Commonwealth farm and the lush little gorge of Gjáin. It makes a good stop on the way to or from Landmannalaugar, though the access road is rough and slow. Allow plenty of time to drive it carefully, and combine the visit with Gjáin or Hjálparfoss for a full day.

Highlights

• A 122 m waterfall dropping into a huge gorge
• Its twin waterfall Granni right alongside
• Layered red and grey canyon walls
• Nearby Gjáin, Hjálparfoss and the Stöng farm ruins

The route

Getting to the trailhead

Háifoss is about two to two and a half hours' drive from Reykjavík. Take Route 32 through Þjórsárdalur and turn onto Route 332, a 7.6 km gravel road (not an F-road) to the car park. Normal cars can manage it slowly in dry summer conditions, but it is potholed and washboarded, so higher clearance is more comfortable. There is no public transport, but some highland day tours stop here.

Where to stay

There are guesthouses and farm stays in the Þjórsárdalur and Árnes areas, with more choice around Flúðir and Hella. The Hólaskógur hut lies further along the road towards the highlands. The car park is small and has no facilities.

Best time to hike

The access road is usually best from June to September; Route 332 gets no winter service and is often impassable from about October to May. Summer brings long days and green surroundings in the valley below. Early morning or evening light brings out the colours of the canyon walls.

Safety

The gorge edge is unfenced, crumbling and very high; stay well back and keep children close. Wind on the plateau can be strong and gusty. Drive the access road slowly, and avoid it after heavy rain or in a very low car. Check vedur.is and road conditions on umferdin.is, and call 112 in an emergency.