Brúarfoss

Brúarfoss is referred to as one of Iceland's most beautiful hidden falls. With no direct road access, reaching the falls requires a 7-kilometer (4.4 mi) round-trip hike. With water running over wide horseshoe-shaped falls into a dreamy emerald-blue stream below, at about 3 meters tall Brúarfoss is far from being one of Iceland's taller falls. However, it is unquestionably a scenic waterfall to take in. Currently, after a history in which local vacation homeowners have closed previous trails to the falls that pass through private land due to disrespectful trail users, reaching the falls requires a hike that mixes a gravel and dirt path.

The trail begins at an official parking area, a gravel lot beside the Brúará River on the road between Laugarvatn Fontana and the Geysir area. From here, the path parallels the river, though not always within view of it, as it heads through a landscape where mountains rise above the surrounding foliage. At a meeting with the private road, the path follows the road before eventually branching off, where it continues heading upriver before reaching the falls.

With no trash cans, bathrooms, or water anywhere along the trail, littering and human waste have been a major issue with landowners, who have closed the trail on occasion. Signage is not always available to indicate the proper path. Hikers should be aware of these and plan ahead, and it may be worth looking into the current trail status before heading out for this hike.