There are plenty of beautiful waterfalls in Austurland. They are of all shapes and sizes, in diverse scenary which makes many waterfalls exciting to explore. Hiking trails lead to many of them.
Fardagafoss Hiking Trail
Fardagafoss waterfall is close to Egilsstaðir, at the roots of Fjarðarheiði. It is one of three waterfalls in the Miðhúsaá river; the others are called Gufufoss and Folaldafoss. There is a marked hiking trail to the waterfall, and it is easy except for the last part, which is a bit difficult to cross. The hiking trail starts at a car park by road 93, close to Áningarsteinn rock.
Behind the waterfall is a cave. The story goes that an awful giantess one lived in the cave. It is believed that a tunnel runs through Fjarðarheiði to Gufufoss in Fjarðará in Seyðisfjörður. The giantess in Fardagafoss was famous for having a cauldron full of gold. When the giantess had become so old that she knew her death was imminent, she slid the kettle with the gold down into a deep pothole in the middle of Gufufoss, further down the Miðhúsaá river. The handle of the cauldron is said to be visable when there is little water in the river.
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Hengifoss Waterfall
Hengifoss is the second-highest waterfall in Iceland and it is particularly picturesque. The layers between numerous Tertiary lava strata yield a reddish color particularly salient in the cliffs around Hengifoss. Moreover, underway towards Hengifoss, the Litlanesfoss presents impressive stands of basalt columns on both sides of the gorge.
Usually, the climb ends well below Hengifoss, at a point where it can easily be admired without crossing the river. However, if the flow is scarce - as is often the case in autumn - it is feasible to go closer and even enter a shallow cave behind the waterfall. There is an easy walking path from the highway to Hengifoss, it takes 40-60 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the waterfall.
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Klifbrekkufossar
Klifbrekkufossar is a magnificent tier of waterfalls in Mjóifjörður. While descending the main road from Egilsstaðir the waterfalls can be spotted on the right-hand side.
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Beljandi
In Breiðdalsá, close to the farm Brekkuborg in Breiðdalur valley, is the Beljandi waterfall. In fact, there are two waterfalls, Ytri Beljandi and Innri Beljandi, and eponymous pools. The waterfalls are not very high, but they are beautiful and well worth the short hike from the road through Breiðdalsvík. The whole area is extremely beautiful and suitable for outdoor activities.
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Rjúkandi
Rjúkandi waterfall is a beautiful waterfall that gracefully descends a few cliffs, from the mountains and almost down to highway 1. Access to the waterfall is very good; it is only a short walk from the car park by the main road.
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Strútsfoss
Start from the sign near Sturluflöt which is the innermost farm in Suðurdalur, east of Kelduá river. Walk along the banks of Fellsá river on the east side of Villingadalur valley. The waterfall can’t be seen until one is quite far into the valley once there one can walk along Strútsgil creek. The cylinder with visitors’ log and a stamp is to be found up by Strútsgil creek. You can not get to the waterfall except by going into the creek and crossing the river a few times which can be treacherous.
Strútsfoss waterfall is on the list of nature reserves.
Part of Hiking Treasures in Egilsstaðir Region
GPS : N64°54.194-W15°02.314
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Gufufoss
Gufufoss waterfall is a beautiful waterfall in Seyðisfjörður. The name is due to the steam emitted by the waterfall and envelops it in a certain mystery. The road over Fjarðaheiði lies next to the waterfall, and the access to it is very good.
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Gljúfursárfoss
The Gljúfursárfoss waterfall runs down a colorful ravine just below the parking lot. The waterfall is about 45 meters high and very beautiful.
The river Gljúfursá used to be a major obstacle to travelers heading east over Hellisheiði. Many accidents occurred when people tried to cross the river by foot or on horseback.
You can also walk along the river to the old bridge over Gljúfursá, built around 1900 and was a great improvement at the time. The story goes that construction began on the bridge after a man on horseback died while attempting to cross the river during winter.
A marked hiking path leads from the parking lot along the river Gljúfursá, and around Drangsnes.
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Flögufoss
Flögufoss is the highest waterfall in Breiðdalur valley, around 60 meters high. The waterfall is in the river Flöguá that runs through the Flöguskarð mountain pass. Just above Flögufoss is another small waterfall that falls to a ledge, from where the river runs under a small rock arch.
The hiking path leading to the waterfall is easy and short.
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