- Address: Reykholt, Iceland;
- River: Kvitau;
- Width: 900 m.
Hrejnfossar is a synonym for an extraordinary natural miracle, which surprises with its scale and beauty. A lot of streams are formed into a series of waterfalls, the total length of which is almost a kilometer. And the beginning of this action is the lava fields that formed after the eruption of the volcano. The panorama of the waterfall looks fabulous.
Where did the streams come from?
At first glance, it may seem fantastic that the waterfall originated from creeks that run from the volcano. But the explanation for this phenomenon is very simple: Laungjökull volcano is under the Laungjökull glacier, which is the parent of the Kwituau river. She was able to make her own bed, which crowned the flow of lava and passed along its very edge. The porous rock of the lava, allowed the water to seep into it and form a lot of streams, after which they flow into the waterfalls. Their nature was known for a long time, therefore the beginning of the name of waterfalls "hraun" is translated as "lava". In addition, the sight itself can be compared with the power of lava.
Hrejnfossar and its environs
The section of waterfalls ends with sharp rocks, and in parallel a dense forest grows. Precipitation here falls very often, so the colors of the local nature are juicy and fresh. Frequent rains intensify the flow, which makes it even more powerful. As a result, a waterfall drops about 5 m³ of water into the river every second.
Hrejnfossar is the main attraction of this region, therefore popularity of local places is very great. Nearby is the tourist town of Gilsbakki. There are interesting sights, and excursions to the surrounding area necessarily include a visit to Hrejnfossar.
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How to get there?
Hrejnfossar is located in the western part of Iceland , just 18 kilometers from the Reykholt . Near the landmarks there is a route No.518, it connects the waterfalls with the city, so to get to Hrejnfossar it is better to take the Rijkholt course first.