Lambhagafoss, a Hidden Waterfall Off the Beaten Path, Iceland

Of all the “little-known” waterfalls in Iceland, Lambhagafoss is perhaps the least known of all. Part of the Hverfisfljót River, whose waters are glacial in origin, it’s a difficult-to-reach waterfall. Its roaring, tumultuous, and silt-rich waters fall deep into the riverbed carved across an ancient lava field.

Lambhagafoss.

It’s a beautiful, hidden waterfall far from the main circuits and

There is no official measurement of its height, but it is probably somewhere in the 20-30 meter range or possibly more, including its multiple steps. It is hard to make a visual estimate, as its roaring waterfall deep into a narrow canyon, generating a considerable amount of water vapor.

Getting there requires driving a dirt track suitable for 4X4 cars only, and hiking through a large lava field on a poorly visible trail. Details on how to get there and the GPX track of the trail come with my eBook guide, “Iceland – The Best Waterfall Hikes and Walks“. Above all, this is a rather pristine location, and particular care should be taken with the vegetation and moss in the area to avoid causing damage.

Table of Contents

Overview of the Lambhagafoss Waterfall Hike

The out-and-back hike to Lambhagafoss is moderately difficult, totalling almost 10k, but with a negligible elevation gain. The trail is only reachable with 4X4s with decent ground clearance.

Unlike most of my posts, I won’t share the GPX file here. This is a very remote, pristine location. It’s not a spot you can add as an easy detour to any itinerary around the Ring Road or the Westfjord. Getting there requires preparation. It is a remote location.

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.

The Lambhagafoss Hiking Trail

The trail, which seems to lead into the middle of nowhere, is barely visible for the most part. It crosses an old lava field and reaches the Hverfisfljót River. Per se, the trail is not particularly difficult, but particular care should be taken around the river, as parts of the banks have been eroded. Others are in danger of collapsing.

It’s a long walk across a seemingly endless lava field. The trail offers a peek into the Hverfisfljót river now and then for a change in the landscape. Hverfisfljót is a river of glacial origin; it’s rich in silt and extremely powerful. Kind of Hypnotic to watch.

The waterfall isn’t visible from afar, only when you are almost upon it. Even then, it is not intuitive how to get to the main viewpoint. That requires a bit of navigation around the hills above the waterfall.

But, once you get there, the view is absolutely stunning—not only for the waterfall and its dramatic surroundings, but also for the sheer power and force of the cascading waters. It’s beautiful and scary at the same time. It’s almost hypnotic to watch and to listen to as the waterfall is very loud.

Again, particular care should be taken around the edges, both to protect the moss and to stay at a safe distance from the exposed ridge above the Lambhagafoss.

Lambhagafoss Photos and Photography Tips

This is a remote location, and at the time of writing, there are only a handful of photos of this waterfall online. Literally, less than five. So it’s a blank canvas in that sense

What I found is that the scale of the waterfall is hard to render. The viewpoints are limited, especially given the delicate vegetation around them, which should be everyone’s priority to protect rather than trying to get the shot. There are, however, a few good, accessible spots at the top of the cliffs around the waterfall.

I think it’s pointless to use a long exposure on this waterfall, as the spray can be so intense that it would look like a giant white blob. And, I think trying to render the raw power of this waterfall would render the character of this location better.

Do bring a microfiber cloth. The waterfall generates a huge amount of water vapor.

Lambhagafoss Video

Here is also a video I made while hiking to Lambhagafoss. This perhaps can show you better how powerful this waterfall really is.

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.