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Hengifoss

Hengifoss - Iceland's 3rd tallest waterfall


Hengifoss is Iceland's third tallest waterfall at 118m. It sits high atop a cliff overlooking the lake Lagarfljót and the forest (a rarity in Iceland) Hallormsstaðarskógur. Thus, you have to go up a 2.5km trail climbing from the car park to the base of the falls (with the last 1km being a bit more narrow and rough). I'm kicking myself for not doing that last bit of the trail to get right up to the falls, but I had to admit some parts of the trail at that point seemed a bit eroded, slippery, and too close to the edge for my liking.

On the way up, you might notice smaller waterfalls deep in the gorge adjacent to the trail with one of them being the intriguing Litlanesfoss, which is laced with basalt columns surrounding it. As for the main falls itself, there's also interesting red stripes in between basalt layers going across the cliffs around it.

Definitely well worth the effort to see and makes for a nice half-day trip from the town of Egilsstaðir (about 35km from town).

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Hikers going the last 1km to the base of HengifossHikers going the last 1km to the base of the falls

Small waterfall in the gorge near the start of the hikeSmall waterfall in the gorge near the start of the hike



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