Months have passed, yet many of us are still filled with tears after having seen certain precise images on screen. Frames that linger there, suspended somewhere between memory and skin. We’re talking about the ending of Stranger Things 5, which yes, delivered exactly such a scene: a distant, tiny figure before a dark, excavated and primitive land. Only rock, sky and a line of water (then we’ll discover that there are actually two) plunging into an abyss. Those who know the south of Iceland will recognize the place immediately: Háifoss.
Háifoss means “waterfall high” and in fact it is just that. With its 122 meters of vertical drop, this column ranks among the tallest waterfalls in the country and dominates a remote portion of the Southern Highlands, an inland belt of the “Land of Ice and Fire” characterized by extreme environments, variable weather and wildly rugged landscapes.
The first step on the gravel ground immediately pulls you into an outsized dimension, with silence lasting only a few seconds before the sound arrives. A deep and continuous rumble.
Characteristics and Formation of Háifoss
The gigantic Háifoss sits in the Þjórsárdalur Valley, one of the geologically most fascinating regions of southern Iceland. As this land tends to do, even here the landscape tells millions of years of volcanic activity, glaciations, erosion and tectonic fractures.
The waterfall rises along the course of the Fossá River, fed by waters from the glacial system that merges into the Þjórsá, the island’s longest river. Reaching the canyon’s edge, the river simply ceases to follow a horizontal line and plunges 122 meters into a gorge carved in volcanic rock.
To make the panorama even more cinematic, a second presence arrives. Beside Háifoss flows Granni, a term that means “near” in Icelandic. It is a smaller, less powerful and thinner-flowing waterfall, but despite this it manages to create a perfect composition: two parallel streams of water and two different personalities, all on one wall.
Just look at the tones of the gorge to grasp the site’s complexity. Black lava, basalt gray, reddish veining and moss clinging to small ledges. On clear days the contrast between the Icelandic sky and the rock offers an almost surreal effect. At the bottom of the canyon the Fossá river continues amidst enormous boulders, fragments of ancient fractures and surfaces shaped by erosion.
A few kilometres away dominates the horizon Hekla, one of the most studied volcanoes on the planet. You should know that since the Viking settlement era it has recorded more than 20 eruptions, so much so that it earned a famous nickname for centuries, the “gateway to hell“.
There is certainly no shortage of popular stories (after all, with a landscape like this it was practically impossible there wouldn’t be any), such as the tale of a giantess, a legendary creature that would fish trout from these waters and punish those who showed disrespect toward the land. Folklore, of course. Yet, before this gorge, it’s easy to understand why such tales found fertile ground.
How to Visit Háifoss
Getting there isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but it’s worth it. Yes, it’s the classic experience to be lived at least once in a lifetime. The last 7.5 km along the dirt road leading to it offer a taste of its character already: deep potholes, coarse gravel, sharp curves and crosswinds. A short stretch on paper, but intense in practice. That means a 4×4 vehicle is the wiser choice, especially between early summer and the end of the season.
Once at the car park, around 5 minutes are enough to reach the first viewpoint, right where something curious happens: the body slows down on its own in front of such a spectacle. The edge of the canyon appears suddenly and perception changes completely. The photos seen online, as spectacular as they are, prepare you only partially because in person the depth hits you physically. It’s the stomach that notices before the eyes.
From this vantage point you can observe Háifoss, Granni and the entire Fossá gorge. On clear days the panorama extends to the line of the Highland mountains. Those seeking a more intense experience can follow the path that descends toward the canyon floor, a route about 2 km round trip, with an average time of 60 to 80 minutes.
The track remains visible, trodden by hikers, but generally lacking official signage. The first stretch is relatively gentle, then the slope increases. The rocks are unstable and mud after rain cannot be ruled out. But once you reach the bottom, standing beside the wall (with 122 meters of water above your head) completely changes the perspective. The sound echoes between the rocks, the fine mist produced by the impact dampens your face and jacket, and the canyon becomes a kind of natural acoustic chamber.
Photography enthusiasts find here one of Iceland’s most impressive natural sets. Dawn and late afternoon offer the most dramatic light, with long shadows and metallic reflections on the rock. For fans of Stranger Things, recognizing the filming location adds an extra emotional layer: that final scene suddenly gains weight, depth and substance (not that it didn’t before).
Where It Is and How to Get Here
Háifoss is located in the Þjórsárdalur valley, in southern Iceland, about 140 km from the capital Reykjavík. The drive by car takes roughly 2 hours along the Ring Road, the famous Route 1 that circles the island. You then turn onto Route 30 and later Route 32, also known as Þjórsárdalsvegur.
The final segment is the most demanding part of the journey. A dirt track leads to the panoramic parking through 7.5 km of rough terrain. After rainy days, the route can become particularly uneven. The most favourable period runs from June to September. In these months the roads are generally accessible, the meltwater increases the waterfall’s flow and the daylight hours seem endless.
From October to May the scenery changes dramatically because ice, snow and variable conditions require experience, suitable vehicles and constant attention. Yes, it’s not a place within easy reach, but perhaps that is precisely why it is truly one of Iceland’s most powerful sights.
