Hamrafoss is a waterfall in South Iceland, on farmland beside the road. It is seen from a parking area next to it. The ground around the falls is private, so there is no way to reach the base or to stand under the water. What the stop offers is the view and photographs of the full drop, plus a dog from the property who brings visitors a stone and waits for it to be thrown. It suits a break on a longer drive rather than a trip of its own.
Hamrafoss Waterfall
Local name: Hamrafoss
The falls stand on private farmland: Hamrafoss is looked at from the parking area, and the base is off limits.
- Parking
- Free parking area beside the waterfall.
- Difficulty
- No walking. The waterfall is viewed from the parking area, and the land towards the base is private.
What makes it special
Hamrafoss is a roadside stop rather than a destination. The falls sit on private farmland, so there is no walking up to the base and no standing under the water. From the parking area the drop is close enough to take in and photograph, and that is the whole visit.
The other thing that happens here is the dog. A dog from the property turns up with a stone in his mouth, drops it in front of whoever gets out of the car and waits for a throw, then brings it back for as long as anyone keeps playing. He goes when his owner does. Hamrafoss is one of those Icelandic pull-offs where the stop turns out better than the map suggested.
Good to know
- Private land. The waterfall and the ground around it belong to a farm. There is no access to the base, and the view is from the parking area.
- A stop, not a walk. The visit amounts to pulling over, looking and taking photographs. Nothing continues on foot.
- The farm dog. A dog from the property brings visitors a stone and waits for a throw. He belongs to the farm and leaves when his owner does.
- With children. The place works as a stop with children, since the whole visit happens at the parking area.
Getting there
Hamrafoss is reached by car. A parking area sits at the roadside next to the falls, and the waterfall is in view from where you stop, so the visit involves no walking. No path continues towards the base: the ground beyond belongs to a farm, and the water is looked at from where the cars are.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you walk up to the waterfall?
No. The waterfall stands on private property and there is no access to the base. It is seen and photographed from the parking area beside it.Does it cost anything to stop?
Parking beside the falls is free, and the view of the waterfall is from there.Is it a good stop with children?
Yes. The whole visit happens at the parking area, with no path to walk, and a dog from the property comes over for a game of fetch.Is there really a dog?
A dog from the property brings visitors a stone and waits for someone to throw it, then fetches it back. He belongs to the farm and leaves when his owner does.