Gjáin is a small valley in Þjórsárdalur, in the south of Iceland. The river Rauðá runs through it and drops over the waterfall Gjárfoss. Around that are more small waterfalls, ponds, lava rock and basalt columns, all within one valley floor. The historical farm Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng lies about half an hour away on foot. Most people arrive by car on road 327, which branches off road 32.
Gjáin
One valley floor holds a lagoon ringed with basalt columns, a set of small waterfalls and the fall Gjárfoss on the river Rauðá.
- Entrance
- Free
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible: no step-free entrance and no accessible parking.
- Parking
- Car park at the valley. The loop road down to it needs a 4x4.
- Difficulty
- No long hike. The route drops from the rim of the canyon to the valley floor, where streams are crossed on small footbridges. About half an hour on foot from Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng.
- Transport
- Self-drive — gravel Road 327 through Þjórsárdalur; 4x4 recommended
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, every day.
- Address
- Stangarvegur (Road 327), 804 Þjórsárdalur
What makes it special
The scale is the point here. Gjáin gathers a lagoon ringed with basalt columns, a scatter of small waterfalls and braided streams into a single valley floor, with no long hike between them. The main fall is Gjárfoss, on the river Rauðá. The whole valley can be seen from the rim of the canyon, and from there the way leads down among the falls, across the streams on small footbridges.
Nothing here competes with Iceland's headline waterfalls for size. That is what makes it work: this is a place to walk around in rather than a viewpoint to photograph and leave. Lava rock and green ground sit side by side, and the valley lies close to the Golden Circle route.
Good to know
- The road in: road 327 branches off road 32 and is bumpy. A 4x4 is strongly advised, and the loop into the car park needs one.
- No toilets: there are none at the valley.
- Wet ground: streams run across the valley floor and are crossed on small footbridges. Wear footwear that copes with water.
- With children: the falls sit close together and there is no long hike, so the valley works for young walkers.
Getting there
Gjáin is reached by car. Road 327 branches off road 32 and is bumpy; the loop that runs down to the car park at the valley calls for a 4x4, and a 4x4 is strongly advised for the approach as a whole. Vehicles come right up to the valley, so the walking starts at the car park and no long hike follows. The other way in is on foot from the historical farm Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng, about half an hour away.
Sun & daylight
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Gjáin on the map
The road in is rough and rivers can rise after rain; treat Gjáin as a summer-only, dry-weather trip and check conditions before you drive.
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Frequently asked questions
Do you need a 4x4 to get to Gjáin?
A 4x4 is strongly advised. Road 327, which leads in from road 32, is bumpy, and the loop down to the car park at the valley needs four-wheel drive.How far is the walk once you park?
There is no long hike. The waterfalls, ponds and streams are all in one valley floor, reached from the rim of the canyon. From the farm Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng it is about half an hour on foot.Are there toilets at Gjáin?
No. There are no toilets at the valley.Is Gjáin suitable for children?
Yes. The falls are close together and there is no long hike. The valley floor is uneven and streams are crossed on small footbridges, so keep children within reach.What is the waterfall in Gjáin called?
Gjárfoss. It sits on the river Rauðá, which runs through the valley, and it is joined by several smaller falls.