The Haifoss Waterfall Hike in Iceland

The Haifoss Waterfall hike was easily one of my favorite falls in the whole country of Iceland, but I almost skipped it completely!

Háifoss is one of the harder waterfalls to reach, and I only had a 2-wheel drive vehicle on my trip, which limited my ability to navigate the challenging roads there. Thankfully, it’s possible to reach Haifoss on foot.

This article will explain how to get to Haifoss with or without a 4WD vehicle. Read on!

Visiting Haifoss Waterfall

The main waterfall at Háifoss is 120 meters (400 feet) tall, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland. There’s also a second, massive waterfall flowing into the same stunning canyon, which itself is quite impressive.

The resulting panoramic views you can enjoy here are absolutely breathtaking!

Visiting the Háifoss falls generally requires a 4WD vehicle (which I didn’t have). Consequently, I opted to park and hike to the falls, despite the limited information available on this option when I visited.

I nearly had to turn back halfway through my hike due to a looming storm, but then the weather cleared up (Icelandic weather is unpredictable like that), and I was able to continue my adventure.

As of 2024, the road to Háifoss remains very rough and filled with large potholes, making it essential to have a 4WD vehicle with sufficient clearance, or else prepare for a bit of hiking.

Don’t let this deter you. Haifoss is undoubtedly one of the best waterfalls in Iceland.

The full hiking directions can be found below.

How To Get To Haifoss (4WD Vehicle)

Haifoss is located in west Iceland, near the dramatic highlands. With a 4WD vehicle and high clearance, you can drive directly to the waterfall parking area, eliminating the need for hiking.

However, keep in mind that the drive takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from Reykjavik due to sporadic road conditions.

How To Get To Haifoss (2WD Vehicle)

Using a 2WD vehicle to visit Haifoss is indeed possible, but it’s more complicated. You will need to drive to Gljásteinn Hólaskógur Hostel, park your vehicle there, and hike the remaining distance to the waterfall. This hostel serves as the closest safe parking option for a 2WD vehicle.

It is NOT advisable to drive beyond the hostel with a 2WD vehicle. The road becomes extremely rough, and there’s a strong possibility of damaging your rental car. I noticed vehicle parts scattered along the road, which illustrated the risks.

From the hostel parking lot, the one-way distance is approximately 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) on mostly flat terrain. With a decent pace, the hike will take about 1 to 1.5 hours to reach the waterfall. It’s manageable as a hike, but starting early is advisable.

I stayed overnight in the hostel parking lot (with their permission) and hiked to Haifoss the following morning. It’s a good idea to check with the hostel for their current policies regarding overnight parking.