{"id":7041882,"date":"2026-08-19T16:38:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T16:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/all-you-want-to-know-about-the-bruarfoss-hike-in-iceland\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T16:38:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T16:38:02","slug":"all-you-want-to-know-about-the-bruarfoss-hike-in-iceland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7041882","title":{"rendered":"All you want to know about the Br\u00faarfoss hike in Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Br\u00faarfoss hike was one of my great discoveries of the past hiking year. It has already been almost a year since I was last in Iceland. I visited Iceland for the eleventh time then, and what made the biggest impression on me during that trip was the hike to the Br\u00faarfoss waterfall. This waterfall, also known as the Br\u00faar\u00e1rfoss waterfall, is located in the same region as the Golden Circle, but receives considerably fewer visitors. You can visit it from the parking lot, but you can also walk to it along a 3.5-kilometer hiking trail. And that is, of course, exactly what I did.<\/p>\n

Br\u00faarfoss may not be the largest or highest waterfall in Iceland, but as far as I am concerned, it\u2019s definitely one of the most special. The water of this waterfall has an almost unreal blue color. It looks as if someone added a generous splash of turquoise paint to the river, so to speak. In this article, I will tell you everything about the Br\u00faarfoss hike: where the waterfall is located, why the water is so blue, how to get there, and what you need to know before you head out. Enjoy reading! <\/p>\n

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Table of Contents | Inhoudsopgave<\/p>\n

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Getting to know Bru\u00e1rfoss<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Br\u00faarfoss is a waterfall in the Br\u00faar\u00e1 River. Unlike Sk\u00f3gafoss or Gullfoss, for example, Br\u00faarfoss is not an enormous waterfall that plunges dozens of meters down. The waterfall is only about 2 to 3 meters high. Nevertheless, Br\u00faarfoss is particularly impressive. Here, the water flows through a narrow, U-shaped gorge in the dark volcanic rock. From various small streams and rapids, the water eventually converges into the bright blue river.<\/p>\n

The name Br\u00faarfoss literally means something like \u2018bridge waterfall\u2019. The name refers to a natural bridge that used to span the river here. This stone bridge no longer exists, but the name has remained. From the small wooden bridge over the river that replaces the old stone bridge, you have a beautiful view of the waterfall. It\u2019s the contrast between the almost bright blue water and the dark lava rock that makes Br\u00faarfoss so photogenic.<\/p>\n

\"Hlauptungufoss
Hlauptungufoss on the way to Bruarfoss<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Brua\u0301rfoss
The hike to Brua\u0301rfoss<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Hiking to Br\u00faarfoss<\/h5>\n

Most travelers go to Br\u00faarfoss from the (paid) parking lot, which is about a 350-meter walk from the waterfall. You can also hike to the fall, save parking costs and have a special experience instead. The parking lot for the walking route to Br\u00faarfoss is located on road 37 and there is room for a handful of cars.<\/p>\n

The hiking trail is approximately 3.5 kilometers long. Not difficult at all, but sometimes adventurous because of the mud. I visited Br\u00faarfoss at the end of September and it had been quite wet in the days before. This made the trail quite slippery at times. Sturdy footwear is absolutely necessary, I would certainly not take this walk in my white sneakers.<\/p>\n

Along the way you will encounter two other waterfalls: Hlauptunufoss and Mi\u00f0foss. And above all: hardly anyone else and that is exactly what makes this walk in Iceland worthwhile. This walk to Br\u00faarfoss is still relatively unknown, so you often have the trail to yourself. The hike ends at the bridge over the waterfall. From here you can return via the same trail.<\/p>\n

\"Hike
Hike to Brua\u0301rfoss in Iceland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"De
The bluest waterfall in Iceland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Why is Br\u00faarfoss<\/strong> so blue?<\/h5>\n

The color is the main reason why people visit Br\u00faarfoss. The water is so blue that it seems almost unreal. The color is entirely naturaland this makes it the bluest waterfall in Iceland. The color occurs because the Br\u00faar\u00e1 river is fed by water from the area around Langj\u00f6kull, one of Iceland\u2019s largest glaciers. Glacier water contains minuscule particles of finely ground rock. This is also known as glacial flour.<\/p>\n

These tiny mineral particles remain suspended in the water and influence the way sunlight is scattered. Blue and blue-green hues, in particular, become visible, giving the water that characteristic turquoise color.<\/p>\n

You see the same kind of phenomenon in other places where glacier water occurs, for example at some glacier lakes. At Br\u00faarfoss, the effect is extra spectacular because the bright blue contrasts with the almost black volcanic rock. On a sunny day, the color can be truly intensely blue. But even in cloudy weather, the river remains strikingly blue, as you can see in my photos.<\/p>\n

\"Hike
The bluest waterfall in Iceland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Hiking to Br\u00faarfoss: how much time do you need?<\/h5>\n

If you choose the short walk from the parking lot, you can visit Br\u00faarfoss relatively quickly and half an hour is more than enough.<\/p>\n

I would allow at least a few hours for the longer walk from route 37. The total walk is about 7 kilometers and you will probably want to stop for photos regularly along the way. Moreover, Hlauptunufoss and Mi\u00f0foss are actually too beautiful to just pass by. It took me 1.5 hours one way. If you combine Br\u00faarfoss with the Golden Circle, I would therefore not just reserve \u2018fifteen minutes\u2019 for it.<\/p>\n

\"Hlauptungufoss
Hlauptungufoss on Iceland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Book your Iceland trip<\/h5>\n

Do you want to travel to Iceland? Find the best options to book your trip below:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Conclusion and further reading<\/h5>\n

Is Br\u00faarfoss worth a visit? Yes, as far as I\u2019m concerned, absolutely. Br\u00faarfoss might not be the most spectacular waterfall in Iceland if you look purely at height or water volume. But it is precisely the combination of the bright blue glacier water and the dark lava rock that makes this place special.<\/p>\n

Hopefully, you found this article about the Br\u00faarfoss hike useful. If you want to read more about Iceland, you will might also enjoy reading the following articles: <\/p>\n

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