Best for
River power
Watch the Hvítá force its way through the carved gorge.
Barnafoss (Children's Falls)
Children's Falls, where blue glacial rapids churn through a narrow gorge in West Iceland. The name comes from a tragic local legend.
Region
West Iceland
Located next to Hraunfossar.
Just a short walk upstream from Hraunfossar, Barnafoss ("Children's Falls") is a violent, churning rapid that forces the glacial Hvítá river through a narrow, twisted rock gorge. The river here is genuinely dangerous, and the falls carry a well-known local legend.
Sources and last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03
Stay on marked paths. The rocks near the gorge edge are slick and unstable. The current is extremely powerful.
Pages are reviewed for practical usefulness, source quality, and volatile claims before publication.
Official sources to check
Access
Easy walk
Connected by path to Hraunfossar parking.
Pro tip
Look for the bridge
A pedestrian bridge over the gorge gives a clear downward view.
What to Expect at Barnafoss
- A noisy, churning rapid compared to Hraunfossar's calm
- Twisted rock formations and potholes carved by water
- A safe pedestrian bridge crossing the gorge
Nearby Attractions to Barnafoss
- Hraunfossar (immediate neighbor)
- Krauma Geothermal Baths (nearby in Reykholt)
- Deildartunguhver (Europe's most powerful hot spring)
How to Get to Barnafoss
- Located in Borgarfjörður, about 130 km north of Reykjavik
- Drive time from Reykjavik is approximately 1.5-2 hours via Route 1 and 518
- Use the same free parking lot as Hraunfossar
- A 5-10 minute walk from parking, or 2-3 minutes from Hraunfossar
- Follow the well-marked trail connecting the two waterfalls
Best Time to Visit Barnafoss
- Open year-round; each season looks different
- Spring snowmelt brings the most powerful water flow
- Summer has the longest daylight for photography
- Autumn birch colors contrast with the blue water
- Winter brings ice formations, but paths can be slippery
Planning help
Barnafoss FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.