Húsárfoss, Rjúkandafoss, and Hvalárfoss, Westfjords, Iceland

Húsárfoss, Rjúkandafoss, and Hvalárfoss are three waterfalls located in the far north of the Westfjords. The area is very remote, and the trail is essentially “where the roads end”.

Húsárfoss, at the trailhead. View from across the Fjord.

Actually, the road continues for a couple of kilometers before ending. But that is the feeling you have when you arrive at the trailhead. The feeling of leaving the last inhabited outpost and venturing into a pristine, remote area. And it is a very pristine area. For the most part, there is barely any visible trail. 

On this 12.5km clockwise loop trail, the first waterfall is Húsárfoss, which is already visible from the other side of the fjord on the way there. It’s the waterfall in the photo above. It’s quite scenic, with the house and the farm in the foreground and the waterfall behind it.

Rjúkandafoss.

The second is Rjúkandafoss. It’s a hidden waterfall deep into the barren Westfjord landscape. It’s a big, multi-step waterfall that resembles a slightly smaller Dynjandi.

The third one, Hvalárfoss, is a smaller waterfall closer to the coast, near the end of the trail. It’s not as scenic as the first two, but the pristine environment is beautiful enough in itself. And I personally tend to spend as much time as possible in locations like this anyway.

Hvalárfoss.

With all the funky names given to hikes and trails, this could plainly be called “Westfjord Waterfall triangle Hike” or something similar. The trail really is almost like a triangle, connecting the three waterfalls.

There is a long drive, mostly on gravel roads, and partly on an F-road that follows the coast all the way to the trailhead. So you do need a car suitable for F-Roads. Not a large one, I have seen regular “family” AWD SUVs at the trailhead. However, the road is very rough, and a car with proper off-road tires would provide some extra peace of mind. It is a very remote road, and sometimes it’s just a one-lane road sandwiched between the mountains and the sea.

Unlike most of my posts, I won’t share the GPX file here. This is a very remote, difficult-to-get-to location that requires preparation, the right vehicle, climbing skills, and a “leave no trace” attitude.

It is a remote location far from help, should anything happen – either to your car or to yourself on this dangerous trail. Furthermore, it requires the proper 4X4 vehicle and driving skills, as I have mentioned above.

I have reserved my personal logistics, safety tips, and GPX track for my eBook guide, “Iceland – The Best Waterfall Hikes and  Walks“, specifically for those who understand the risks involved and are committed to ‘Leave No Trace’ principles.

This ensures that the information stays in the hands of those who are truly prepared for the risks and committed to preserving these wild spaces. 

I will, however, provide a quick overview and description of the trail, so you can have a good understanding of what it takes to get there. For that purpose, you can also watch the video I made while on this hike.

The Húsárfoss, Rjúkandafoss, and Hvalárfoss Hiking Trail 

On the trail, there actually isn’t much of any. About 80% of this hike has no visible trail, so the GPX track is essential. It is also essential to avoid walking on any moss in the area, as even just a single step can damage its delicate roots.

Húsárfoss.

Húsárfoss

The first waterfall, Húsárfoss, is immediately visible from the parking area and takes about 10–15 minutes to reach. Begin by crossing the river in front of the parking area, then keep the river to your left as you walk up to Húsárfoss. If you want to see the other side too, it’s best to do it before crossing the river, because if you decide to see it later, you will have to cross the river twice.

Rjúkandafoss

To reach Rjúkandafoss, it’s a 30–40-minute walk, with no trail visible. The main viewpoint is on a ledge directly in front of the waterfall. Rjúkandafoss is really rather big, much bigger than it looks in photos. It’s difficult to render its size as it falls deep in a narrow gorge. 

Hvalarfoss

To get to the last waterfall on the trail, Hvalárfoss, you’d need to follow the river downstream toward the coast. You’ll reach a pedestrian bridge near the coast, which allows you to cross the river.  Crossing this bridge brings you to the final waterfall, Hvalárfoss.

To return, cross the bridge again and follow the dirt road along the coast back to the parking area. 

Húsárfoss, Rjúkandafoss, and Hvalárfoss Photos and Photography Tips

This is a rarely photographed location, so much so that at the time of writing, there are very few photos of Húsárfoss, Rjúkandafoss, and Hvalárfoss online. Just a handful. And it makes sense, it is a remote location.

Húsárfoss is rather unique, as you can photograph it from the opposite side of the fjord when you arrive by car. that requires a large telephoto lens to create some compression. For reference, this was taken with a 400mm lens.

Photo taken at 400mm, full frame.

It is also a rather beautiful waterfall up close. In this case, though, an ultra-wide lens is required. You can get really close to it, and the waterfall is rather wide. There are also plenty of different compositional options, from either side of the falls.

Photo taken at 14mm.

So you do need a variety of lenses and ranges. The same applies to Rjúkandafoss, where I also used focal lengths from 14 to 400mm. The waterfall is huge, and you are really close to it. So while you need a wide angle to capture it all, a longer focal length will allow you to capture its minute details.

Rjúkandafoss is also particularly scenic from afar. Further down the trail, you can catch some really nice views of the waterfalls, and use the river as a leading line.

Video of the Hike

Here is also a short video of the hike, where you can see all of them in greater detail.

Additional Resources

• Discover more beautiful and unique Waterfalls in my eBook guide, “Iceland – The Best Waterfall Hikes and Walks“.
• Discover more Hikes in Iceland here.
• Book with Blue Car Rental through The Photo Hikes and enjoy a 5% discount.