One of the first things you notice driving around Iceland is just how many waterfalls there are. They appear around corners, tumble off cliffs, and disappear into valleys where nobody goes. The country has over 10,000 of them, most without names. Plenty are easy enough to reach, though, and the hikes leading to the best ones tend to be worth every muddy step. Háifoss is one of those — though it is only accessible part of the year.
Discovering Háifoss
Háifoss translates roughly to “High Waterfall” in English, and when it was first properly measured, people assumed it was the tallest in Iceland. It drops 122 meters into the canyon below, which is genuinely hard to wrap your head around until you’re standing at the edge. Since then, Morsárfoss, Glymur, and Hengifoss have all pushed it down the rankings, so it now sits in fourth place. The water comes from Fossá, a tributary of Þjorsá — the longest river in Iceland.
What makes the spot especially good is that Háifoss comes with a neighbour: Granni, which is exactly what it sounds like — “neighbor” in Icelandic. Both waterfalls are visible from the same viewpoint, which makes for one of those rare photographs where you don’t have to choose what to frame.
Behind it all, on clear days, Hekla sits on the horizon. The volcano has earned its old nickname — the “Gateway to Hell” — through centuries of violent eruptions that reshaped the landscape around it. It adds a certain atmosphere to the place.
The Legends of Háifoss
Iceland has no shortage of old stories, and Háifoss has its share. Local folklore tells of an ogress who fished at the waterfall and lived off what she caught there. On one occasion, a group of travellers camped nearby, and among them was a teenage boy who spent his time throwing stones into the river — the kind of ordinary, restless thing a teenager would do.
That night, the ogress came to the camp and tried to drag the boy from his tent. His companions held on and pulled him back, and the struggle ended with the ogress letting go. The boy spent the following month recovering. It is the sort of tale that sounds almost mundane until you picture the canyon in the dark.
Getting There
Head for Selfoss along the Ring Road. From there, take Route 30 and switch to Route 32 after about 18 kilometers. Watch for a small gravel road marked 332 and turn north — that road leads to Háifoss. It is potholed and rough, so a vehicle with decent ground clearance makes the drive considerably less punishing. After several kilometers on that terrain, there is a parking lot at the end.
Háifoss is not on an F-road, but a 4×4 is still a sensible choice given the road conditions, which tend to match the seasonal opening schedule. Checking road.is before you set off is worth the two minutes it takes — road conditions in this part of Iceland can change quickly.
Hiking at Háifoss
From the parking lot, the viewpoints for both Háifoss and Granni are a short walk away. A marked trail follows the upper edge of the canyon and opens up different angles as you go — useful if you want more than one shot. If you want to get down to the canyon floor, there is a trail for that too, and the view from the bottom is a different experience entirely.
Essential Tips for Your Visit
Bring proper hiking gear, particularly if you are planning to descend to the valley floor. Iceland’s weather changes fast, so layer up and pack waterproofs regardless of what the morning forecast says.
The wind along the canyon edge can be strong, so stay back from the rim and take your time. There are no bins on site, so take your rubbish with you when you leave.
Nearby Attractions
If you are already on Route 32, keep an eye out for the pull-off that leads to Hjalparfoss — a double waterfall framed by basalt columns. It is an easy stop and a good one.
Gjáin is also worth the detour. The valley is dense with greenery and small waterfalls, and it feels oddly out of place in the surrounding landscape — in the best possible way. You will need a 4×4 to get there on the rough gravel roads.
Embrace the Waterfall Adventure
Whether you are chasing waterfalls specifically or just happen to be passing through the south, Háifoss earns its place on any list. Fourth tallest is still a 122-metre free fall into a canyon, and the setting — with Granni alongside and Hekla on the horizon — makes it one of the more complete viewpoints in the country.
How you get there matters too. A campervan rental gives you the flexibility to stop when something catches your eye and linger as long as you like, which is really the only sensible way to see Iceland’s waterfalls properly.
