Parking
Small free Hafragilsfoss parking area off Route 864 on the east side of Jökulsárgljúfur. The pebblestone walking path begins at the lot; facilities are limited.
Overview
About Hafragilsfoss Viewpoint Trail
This short out-and-back walk leads from the Hafragilsfoss parking area to a dramatic viewpoint over the waterfall and the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. It is a quick add-on to the Dettifoss and Selfoss area, with a big landscape payoff and much less walking than the longer canyon routes.
Why go
- Short walk from a free parking area
- Wide waterfall and Jökulsárgljúfur canyon views
Heads up
- Rough, seasonally closed Route 864 access
- Exposed rim, wind, spray, and loose rock near the viewpoint
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Vatnajökull map
Full mapElevation258–334 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
1 active Vatnajökull alert
- ClosureFosshvammur permanently closed at DettifossFosshvammur at Dettifoss is permanently closed to all traffic; do not enter.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Vatnajökull Tour Guide
Your drive to Hafragilsfoss Viewpoint Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Vatnajökull National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
- 102 audio storiesacross Vatnajökull’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grey Seal, Harbor Seal, Caribou, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 16 trails, 72 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
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Trail guide
Hiking Hafragilsfoss Viewpoint Trail
What You’ll SeeThe route follows the mapped pebblestone access path to a series of open rim viewpoints looking…
The route follows the mapped pebblestone access path to a series of open rim viewpoints looking across Hafragilsfoss and the deeply cut canyon. Hafragilsfoss drops about 27 meters below the rim, and the broad volcanic landscape makes this a rewarding stop for wide-angle views and photography.
Trail Stats and FeelThe mapped corridor is about 0.26 miles one way, or roughly 0.
The mapped corridor is about 0.26 miles one way, or roughly 0.53 miles total for the out-and-back walk. Allow about 15–20 minutes for the short walk and time at the overlook. The path is easy but exposed near the rim; loose stone, wind, and spray can make footing less secure.
Access and ParkingUse the small free Hafragilsfoss parking area reached from Route 864 on the east side of…
Use the small free Hafragilsfoss parking area reached from Route 864 on the east side of Jökulsárgljúfur. The walking route begins at the lot and follows the marked/pebblestone path toward the viewpoint. Route 864 is a rough gravel road and can be seasonally closed; check road and park conditions before driving in. Facilities are limited at this viewpoint.
Safety and ConditionsStay well back from the canyon edge and keep children and dogs close.
Stay well back from the canyon edge and keep children and dogs close. Wind, spray, loose rock, and wet or icy surfaces can change the footing quickly. The lower Hafragil routes are separate, more demanding routes and are not part of this viewpoint walk. Drones require park permission.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Vatnajökull
22 sightingsGrey SealMost seen around 5 AMSighting map
258 sightingsHarbor SealMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
184 sightingsCaribouMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
62 sightingsArctic FoxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
168 sightingsWhooper SwanMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
68 sightingsAtlantic PuffinMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Vatnajökull. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
