Hjalparfoss

Hjalparfoss ("HYAL-par-foss"; meaning the "helping falls") is a pretty unique double waterfall that joins at its base. It's one of several waterfalls in the Þjórsádalur Valley not far from the active Mt Hekla. For a change, compared to other waterfalls in the Icelandic Interior or Highlands, this one was actually relatively easy to access.

From the car park (see directions below), we took an easy descending walking path to the shore of a wide plunge pool where the falls were directly across from it.

Apparently the falls got its name from the surrounding area (called Hjalp or "help"). That came about because people who came from the desolate Sprengisandur route through the Interior looked at this relatively lush area as being a great help for their horses to graze and recover. And after having a taste of the F26 on the way to Aldeyjarfoss to the north and Þjórsádalur to the south as well as the desolation of the road to Dynkur, we could certainly appreciate the hardships such a journey through a desert like that would be encountered.

Directions: We approached this waterfall from the Hrauneyjar (pronounced "HROEIN-eh-yur") Highland Center. From there, we drove on Route 26 west for 32km then turned left on the signposted turnoff leading the last 600m to the car park for the falls.

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Julie descending down the steps to the falls

Julie closer to the falls

Closeup of Hjalparfoss

We saw some wildflowers blooming by the plunge pool

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Right to left sweep of the falls from across the wide plunge pool

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TRIP REPORTS

• July 8, 2007

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NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Háifoss
• Gjáin Waterfalls

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