Hengifoss: A Waterfall Among Colorful Rock Layers

Location: Hengifoss lies in the Fljótsdalur valley in eastern Iceland, west of the southern end of Lagarfljót. From the parking area, a well-marked hiking trail climbs roughly 2 kilometers to the waterfall. The ascent is steep in places and usually takes between 40 and 60 minutes. Along the way, the trail passes the smaller Litlanesfoss, which is framed by impressive basalt columns.

Significance: With a drop of around 128 meters, Hengifoss is one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls. Its most distinctive feature is the series of red clay layers that stand out sharply against the dark basalt strata of the cliff face. This remarkable contrast of colors gives the waterfall its unmistakable appearance and makes it one of the best-known natural attractions in eastern Iceland.

Geological Formation: The cliff face at Hengifoss is made up of basalt layers that are around 5 to 6 million years old. They formed during a long sequence of volcanic eruptions. During the extended periods of inactivity between eruptions, layers of soil and sediment accumulated. Iron-rich minerals within these layers weathered over time, creating the striking red clay bands visible today. Glaciers later shaped the valley. The Hengifossá then carved its way through rock layers of varying hardness, forming the present-day gorge and waterfall.

Hengifossá: The Hengifossá is fed by lakes, ponds, and wetlands in the Icelandic Highlands. As it flows down toward the valley, it forms a total of four waterfalls. It first passes over two smaller, unnamed falls located away from the usual hiking route and hidden from view from the valley below. It then plunges over the 128-meter-high Hengifoss before continuing farther downstream over the approximately 30-meter-high Litlanesfoss. Finally, it joins a larger river that reaches Lagarfljót shortly afterward.

Lagarfljót: The long, narrow lake of Lagarfljót lies near Hengifoss and stretches for around 25 kilometers. Hallormsstaðaskógur, Iceland’s largest forest, is located along its eastern shore. Numerous hiking trails wind through the approximately 740-hectare area.

Famous Legend: Lagarfljót is also famous for the Lagarfljótsormurinn, a mythical creature said to inhabit the lake’s murky depths. According to an old legend, a girl placed a small worm in a box together with a gold brooch, hoping that the worm would cause the gold to multiply. Instead, the worm grew larger and larger. Terrified, the girl threw the box into the lake. Reports of a mysterious creature in Lagarfljót date back as far as 1345. Alleged sightings have continued to attract attention in modern times. To this day, the Lagarfljótsormurinn remains one of Iceland’s best-known legendary creatures.

Best Time to Visit: The weather at Hengifoss can change rapidly, even in summer, shifting between sunshine, rain, wind, and fog. The best time to visit is from mid-June to the end of August, when the days are long and the trails are generally free of snow. September can also be a good time to visit, although conditions are usually cooler and more unpredictable.

Water Flow: The volume of water flowing over Hengifoss depends largely on snowmelt and rainfall. The Hengifossá usually carries the greatest amount of water in June and July, making the waterfall appear wider and more powerful. After a dry summer, however, the flow can become noticeably narrower in August.

Litlanesfoss: The approximately 30-meter-high Litlanesfoss drops in two stages through a gorge lined with striking basalt columns. These columns formed when a lava flow cooled, solidified, and contracted. As the rock contracted, it cracked in a pattern similar to drying earth. These cracks divided the basalt into long columns, most of which have five or six sides. Some reach a height of around 20 meters.

Fossils: The rock layers at Hengifoss contain fossilized tree remains as well as lignite formed from the remains of an ancient forest. Traces of cold-sensitive conifers provide particularly strong evidence that eastern Iceland had a considerably milder climate around 5 to 6 million years ago than it does today.

Name: The Icelandic name Hengifoss roughly translates as “hanging waterfall.” It combines “hengi,” a word associated with hanging or being suspended, with “foss,” the Icelandic word for waterfall.