Holmafossar (Jokulsargljufur National Park, North, Iceland)

Holmafossar

Holmafossar (Hólmafossar or I've also seen it spelled Holmarfossar or more accurately Hólmárfossar) was a cascading waterfall that flowed on a tributary to the Jökulsá á Fjöllum. This cascade had enough flow to weave through a bunch of foliage, and it wasn't easy to get a comprehensive view of the falls (only partial ones) given the fact that the trail was on the same side as the falls itself. There were lots of wildflowers adding color to the scene when I visited on an otherwise cold, dreary, rainy day.

I managed to walk to this waterfall as part of the Hólmatungur excursion. I think Hólmatungur refers to the many rifts in the canyon near the river (though I'm really not sure). There also happened to be other waterfalls coming down in there as well (near this area signposted as Katlar).

Anyways, the walk to Holmafossar followed a trail above the gorge going downstream for a little over 1.3km each way I think (it took me about 2 hours return but I make the side trip to Katlar). It was the second main tributary cascade I saw on the hike (the first being Urriðafoss, which was on the Katlar loop).

Directions: The turnoff for the Hólmatungur car park is about 6km north along the route Route 862 of the turnoff for the west bank of Dettifoss. Once on the turnoff, continue another 1km to the car park.

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Which way to go?

Choice of Holmarfossar or Katlar

I had to scramble to get this view of the falls

The falls and the river

Looking at the falls from the other side of its stream

Closer look at the falls from the other side of the stream

Looking down over the top of the cascade from the bridge

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TRIP REPORTS

For more information about our experiences with this waterfall, check out the following travel stories.

June 28, 2007

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