Eldgjá & Ófærufoss

The Ófærufoss walk follows the floor of Eldgjá, a volcanic fissure in the Iceland highlands, to one of the most photogenic waterfalls in the Fjallabak region. The measured route is 4.5 km out and back, takes 1–1.5 hours and has only around 40 m of ascent, reaching roughly 460 m. It is an easy, family-friendly walk, though getting to the trailhead requires a proper highland drive.

Eldgjá is part of a long eruptive fissure that produced one of the largest lava flows in Iceland's history in the 10th century. The section near the car park is a deep, steep-walled chasm, and the river Nyrðri-Ófæra drops into it in two tiers at Ófærufoss. A natural rock arch once spanned the falls but collapsed in 1993; the waterfall is still impressive without it.

Highlights

• Walking inside a giant volcanic fissure
• The two-tiered Ófærufoss waterfall
• Dark walls streaked with moss and red scoria
• An easy add-on to a drive along F208

The route

Getting to the trailhead

Eldgjá lies on F208 (Fjallabaksleið nyrðri), with the spur road F223 (Eldgjárvegur) leading to the parking area at its end. A 4x4 is required, and the approaches from the south include unbridged river crossings. Many people combine it with a drive between Landmannalaugar and the south coast. F208 opens only in summer; check road.is for opening and conditions, and be cautious at fords after rain.

Where to stay

Facilities in the immediate area are minimal and seasonal. Most visitors base themselves around Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Vík on the south coast, or stay at Landmannalaugar to the west if travelling through the highlands. Carry food and water, as there are no shops along F208.

Best time to hike

July to September is the main season, when F208 is normally open. Early July can bring high rivers from snowmelt, while late summer often has calmer conditions. Outside these months the highland road is usually closed and the area is effectively inaccessible to ordinary vehicles.

Safety

The walk itself is easy, but the road in is the main risk: unbridged rivers can rise quickly after rain or warm weather. Inside the fissure, stay away from the base of the steep walls where rocks can fall, and keep back from the edge if you climb to the rim. Weather in the highlands changes fast. In an emergency call 112, and check SafeTravel.is before setting out.