Háifoss Waterfall in the Icelandic Highland: Granni, Road 332, and the Canyon Below
- Einar Páll Svavarsson
- Apr 25
- 12 min read
Háifoss is one of the highest and most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. It drops 122 meters from the river Fossá into a deep and narrow canyon at the edge of Þjórsárdalur, where the lowland begins to give way to the Icelandic Highland. This is not only a waterfall viewpoint. It is a canyon, a geological wall, a Highland landscape, and one of the most dramatic waterfall settings in South Iceland.
Háifoss is often visited together with its neighboring waterfall, Granni. The name Granni means “neighbor,” and the name fits perfectly. The two waterfalls fall into the same canyon, close enough to be seen together from the upper viewpoint, but different enough to create a much richer experience than a single waterfall would. Háifoss is taller and more dominant. Granni is narrower and quieter, but essential to the whole scene.
The waterfall is fed by Fossá, a tributary of Þjórsá, Iceland’s longest river. Visit South Iceland gives the height of Háifoss as 122 meters and places it near Hekla in South Iceland. The height is impressive, but the real value of Háifoss is not only the drop. It is the combination of water, cliffs, layers, space, danger, and perspective.
Háifoss at a glance
Háifoss is located in Fossárdalur, in the inner part of Þjórsárdalur, in the southern Highland of Iceland. The waterfall is 122 meters high and falls from the river Fossá into a deep canyon. Beside it is Granni, its companion waterfall. The main access is from Road 32 in Þjórsárdalur, then onto Road 332, the gravel road that leads to the parking area above the canyon. Road 332 is not an F-road, and in normal summer conditions it does not legally require a 4x4 vehicle, but it is still a rough gravel road and can be very annoying, slow, and uncomfortable in a small car. Recent travel sources describe Road 332 as unpaved, uneven, and affected by potholes, loose rocks, and washboard sections, especially after rain.
There is currently no entrance fee or parking fee in many visitor reports and travel guides, and there are no proper visitor facilities at the waterfall itself. That means no toilets, no café, and no services at the canyon. Visitors should arrive prepared.
Háifoss is a Highland waterfall
Háifoss is sometimes described simply as a waterfall in South Iceland, but that does not really explain the place. It is better understood as a Highland waterfall. The landscape, road, exposure, weather, lack of facilities, and the canyon itself all belong to the Highland character of Iceland.
This matters for visitors. Háifoss is not Skógafoss. It is not Seljalandsfoss. It is not a simple roadside waterfall where you park beside a paved road and walk a few steps on a built path. The road has improved compared with how it used to be, and access is much easier than it was years ago, but the last part of the drive still reminds you that you are entering a rougher part of the country.
In a good vehicle and good summer conditions, Háifoss is not a difficult expedition. In a small car, the drive can be irritating and slow. In bad weather, after heavy rain, or outside the main season, it can become much less attractive. In winter, snow, ice, wind, and lack of road service can make the visit unsuitable for most travellers. The right attitude is simple: Háifoss is accessible, but it is not casual.
How to get to Háifoss
The usual route to Háifoss is through Þjórsárdalur. From Road 32, visitors turn onto Road 332, which leads toward the parking area above the waterfall. The final stretch is gravel. It is not an F-road, but that should not be misunderstood as meaning it is a comfortable road.
A small car can sometimes make the drive in good summer conditions, but it is not ideal. The road can be rough, stony, uneven, and full of vibration. It is exactly the kind of Icelandic road where a driver may technically be allowed to continue, but may still regret doing so in the wrong vehicle. A higher-clearance vehicle is more comfortable and more sensible, even if a 4x4 is not always strictly required.
The safest advice is to check current road conditions before departure, drive slowly, and avoid the road if conditions are poor. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration updates road-condition information through umferdin.is, and travellers should use current information rather than old blog descriptions or assumptions.
The upper viewpoint
Most visitors experience Háifoss from the upper viewpoint near the parking area. From there, the view is immediate and spectacular. Háifoss falls into the canyon on one side, Granni on the other, and the layered cliffs form a huge natural wall around the scene.
This is the easiest way to see Háifoss, but it is also the place where the danger is most obvious. The cliffs are high, the edge is exposed, and not every section is protected. Strong wind, wet ground, loose gravel, ice, careless photography, or a child moving too close to the edge can turn a visit dangerous very quickly.
Visitors should stay well back from the cliffs. This is not a place for risky selfie behaviour or stepping beyond safe ground for a better composition. The view is already extraordinary from safe positions. There is no photograph at Háifoss worth taking a cliff-edge risk.
Hiking to the bottom of Háifoss
The upper viewpoint is impressive, but the visit becomes much more valuable if you have the time, weather, fitness, and conditions to hike down into the canyon. From below, Háifoss and Granni become completely different places.
From above, you see the structure: the waterfalls, the canyon, the river, the cliffs, and the surrounding Highland. From below, you feel the scale. The walls rise around you, the height of the waterfall becomes more physical, and the layers in the canyon are far easier to appreciate. You also understand that Háifoss is not only a drop of water, but a whole geological environment.
The hike down should not be treated as a casual extension of the parking-lot visit. The route can be steep, uneven, slippery, and exposed in places. It is best in summer and in good weather. Proper shoes are necessary. Wind, rain, loose ground, or winter conditions change the risk immediately. If the descent looks doubtful, skip it. The waterfall will still be there another day.
But in good conditions, the hike to the bottom adds enormous value. It gives Háifoss depth. It changes the visit from “I saw a waterfall” into “I understood a canyon.”
The geology of Háifoss
The geology is one of the most important reasons Háifoss is special. The canyon walls are not only a dramatic background for the waterfall. They are a visible cross-section of Icelandic volcanic history.
The cliffs around Háifoss show clear layers of lava flows, volcanic material, and sedimentary-looking bands. These layers represent repeated volcanic activity over long periods of time. Some descriptions of the site refer to the strata near the falls as close to two million years old, with thick lava flows above and volcanic material formed under Ice Age glaciers beneath.
This is one of the reasons the lower canyon view is so important. From the top, the layers are beautiful. From below, they become monumental. The canyon wall is like a geological archive, displaying different episodes of volcanic activity, erosion, and landscape formation.
The broader Þjórsárdalur area is also geologically important. The Environment Agency of Iceland notes the protected area in Þjórsárdalur includes remarkable natural phenomena such as Háifoss, Granni and Hjálparfoss, along with thick ash layers and pseudocrater clusters, with pumice prominent after repeated eruptions in Hekla.
This gives Háifoss a wider context. It is not just a waterfall near Hekla. It is part of a landscape shaped by eruptions, ash, lava, glacial conditions, rivers, erosion, and time.
Háifoss and Granni
Háifoss and Granni should be understood together. The name Granni is not a decorative addition. The neighbouring waterfall is central to the experience.
From the viewpoint, the two waterfalls create balance. Háifoss gives height and force. Granni gives contrast and companionship. The canyon between and below them connects the two into one visual system. Without Granni, Háifoss would still be impressive, but the place would lose part of its character.
This is also why Háifoss works so well in photographs and film. The scene is not only one vertical drop. It has rhythm: two waterfalls, a layered canyon, a river below, open Highland terrain above, and often Hekla or the wider Þjórsárdalur landscape as part of the setting.
The history of the name Háifoss
The name Háifoss means “high waterfall,” and it is a clear and fitting name. The waterfall was known locally long before modern tourism, but it was not widely introduced to the Icelandic public until the early twentieth century. Visit South Iceland states that Dr. Helgi Pétursson, the Icelandic geologist, named the waterfall in 1912.
At the time, Háifoss was considered one of the highest waterfalls known in Iceland, and for a period it was even believed to be among the highest in Europe. The old excitement around the waterfall is understandable. A 122-meter waterfall in a deep Highland canyon, with another waterfall beside it, would have seemed extraordinary to anyone approaching it before modern roads, maps, drones, and mass tourism changed how people encounter places.
Today, the exact ranking is less important. Háifoss does not need to be “second-highest” to be remarkable. It is one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls, and more importantly, one of the most impressive waterfall-canyon landscapes in the country.
Háifoss in winter
Háifoss can be magnificent in winter, but it is not a normal winter destination. Ice forms around the cliffs and waterfall, snow changes the canyon, and the whole place can look like a frozen sculpture. The mist, falling water, and freezing temperatures can create remarkable shapes around the base and walls of the canyon.
But winter also changes the risk completely. Road 332 can become impassable, the viewpoint area can be icy, the cliff edges become more dangerous, and daylight is limited. Several current travel sources warn that winter access can be difficult or unsuitable, and that snow, ice and strong winds can make the road and visit unsafe.
For most visitors, Háifoss is best treated as a summer or early autumn destination. Winter visits belong to experienced travellers with the right vehicle, equipment, weather judgment, and willingness to turn around.
Háifoss and popular culture: Stranger Things
Háifoss entered international popular culture when it appeared in the final season of Stranger Things. Icelandic and international media reported a surge of interest in the waterfall after its appearance in the final episode, with Háifoss and Granni becoming part of the show’s visual ending. RÚV reported in March 2026 that interest in Háifoss had increased dramatically after the waterfall appeared in the final episode.
This is not surprising. Háifoss looks cinematic because it genuinely is cinematic. The two waterfalls, the canyon, the Highland setting, the scale, and the sense of isolation all make the location visually powerful. It is also not one of the most overused Icelandic filming locations, which gives it a stronger impact on screen.
But popular culture should not change how visitors behave at the site. A film scene can make a place famous overnight. It cannot make the road smoother, the cliffs safer, the weather calmer, or the canyon less dangerous. If Stranger Things brings more visitors to Háifoss, the need for clear, practical information becomes even more important.
Nearby places in Þjórsárdalur
Háifoss is rarely the only interesting place in this area. Þjórsárdalur has several major natural and historical sites that fit well with a visit, depending on the route and conditions.
Hjálparfoss is much easier to access and offers a softer, more compact waterfall experience. Gjáin is one of the most beautiful small oasis landscapes in South Iceland, although access and protection of the area require care. Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng connects the valley to medieval Iceland and the history of settlement-era farms affected by Hekla eruptions. The broader area also carries the geological mark of Hekla, ash, lava, pumice, and repeated volcanic activity.
This makes Háifoss part of a larger Þjórsárdalur journey. The waterfall is the major dramatic highlight, but the valley around it gives the visit more meaning.
Photographing Háifoss
Háifoss is a strong photography location because it offers several different subjects in one place. There is the obvious waterfall image from the upper viewpoint, with Háifoss and Granni falling into the canyon. But the best photographs may come from looking more carefully at the details: the cliff layers, the dark canyon walls, the green moss, the river below, the shape of Granni, the exposed rim, and the scale between water and rock.
The upper viewpoint is excellent for wide compositions. It gives the classic view, especially when both waterfalls are included. The lower canyon offers a much more immersive perspective, where the height and geology become more powerful. For serious landscape photography, the lower view can be the difference between a good record shot and a memorable image.
Light matters. In flat light, Háifoss can still be impressive, but the canyon layers may lose definition. Directional light can reveal the structure of the cliffs and the separation between lava layers. Mist, snow patches, autumn colours, and changing cloud cover can all add to the scene.
Wind is a major factor. Strong wind near the canyon edge can be dangerous and can also make tripod work difficult. As always in Iceland, photography should never override safety.
Safety at Háifoss
The main safety issue at Háifoss is the cliff edge. The canyon is deep, and the upper viewpoint is exposed. Visitors must stay well away from the edge, especially in wind, rain, ice, or low visibility. Children should be watched closely at all times.
The second safety issue is the road. Road 332 is short compared with Highland roads, but it can still damage small cars if driven carelessly. Loose stones, potholes, and rough gravel can create problems. Drive slowly and avoid the route if conditions are poor.
The third safety issue is the hike down. The lower canyon is rewarding, but the route requires proper shoes, good weather, and realistic judgment. If conditions are wet, icy, windy, or unstable, the hike should be skipped.
Háifoss is not a dangerous place if approached with respect. It becomes dangerous when visitors treat it like an ordinary roadside attraction.
Why Háifoss is worth visiting
Háifoss is worth visiting because it gives more than a waterfall view. It gives a complete Highland canyon experience. The height of the waterfall, the presence of Granni, the layered geology, the rough access road, the exposed cliff edge, and the possibility of hiking down into the canyon all make it one of the most rewarding waterfall visits in South Iceland.
It is also a place where the visitor can see time. The water falls in the present moment, but the canyon walls display the past: lava flows, volcanic layers, ash, erosion, and the long geological development of the Þjórsárdalur region. Few waterfalls in Iceland show this relationship between water and rock as clearly as Háifoss.
The best visit is not rushed. Walk carefully along the upper viewpoint. Study the layers. Look at Granni, not only Háifoss. If conditions allow, hike down and see the canyon from below. That is where the full value of the place becomes clear.
Háifoss is accessible enough to attract many visitors, but still wild enough to demand respect. That balance is what makes it special.
Is Háifoss in the Highland?
Yes. Háifoss is best understood as a Highland waterfall at the inner edge of Þjórsárdalur in South Iceland. It is more accessible than many Highland destinations, but the landscape, road, exposure, lack of facilities, and setting all belong to the Highland character.
How high is Háifoss?
Háifoss is 122 meters high. It is one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. I would avoid calling it the second-highest waterfall in Iceland, because modern rankings vary and usually place Morsárfoss and Glymur above it, and often Hengifoss as well
Do you need a 4x4 to visit Háifoss?
Road 332 is not an F-road, so a 4x4 is not always a legal requirement in normal summer conditions. However, the road is gravel, rough, uneven, and uncomfortable in a small car. A higher-clearance vehicle is strongly preferable, and road conditions should always be checked before departure.
Is there an entrance fee at Háifoss?
At present, Háifoss is generally described as having no entrance fee or parking fee, but visitors should always check current local information because parking rules at Icelandic attractions can change. There are no proper facilities at the waterfall.
Is there a toilet at Háifoss?
No. Visitors should not expect toilets, water, a café, or visitor services at Háifoss. Prepare before driving to the waterfall.
Can you hike to the bottom of Háifoss?
Yes, in good summer conditions it is possible to hike down into the canyon, and it adds enormous value to the visit. The lower view gives a much stronger sense of the height, geology, and scale of the canyon. The route should be treated with caution, especially in wet, icy, or windy conditions.
Is Háifoss dangerous?
Háifoss can be dangerous if visitors go too close to the cliff edge, visit in strong wind, drive carelessly on Road 332, or attempt the canyon hike in poor conditions. The place is safe enough when approached with proper caution, but it is not a casual fenced viewpoint.
What is Granni?
Granni is the neighbouring waterfall beside Háifoss. The name means “neighbour.” It falls into the same canyon and is an essential part of the Háifoss experience.
Was Háifoss used in Stranger Things?
Yes. Háifoss and Granni became widely discussed after appearing in the final season of Stranger Things. RÚV reported increased interest in Háifoss after the waterfall appeared in the final episode.
Video of Háifoss waterfall and Grannin waterfall
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