Haifoss and Hjalparfoss private tour

Your itinerary

1. Hjálparfoss waterfall

Hjálparfoss will be our first stop of this tour. It is a double waterfall, falling in a pond of crystal clear water.

The waterfalls are falling along short cliffs, made out of basaltic columns. Hjálparfoss is beautiful, stunning, and this is just the beginning.

A double waterfall falls into a lake, while a rainbow shines above

A double waterfall falls into a clear pond, with hundreds of bushes of autumnal colours in the foreground

Two waterfalls are flowing down into a clear lake

2. Longhouse ruins of Stöng

Here begins the cultural aspect of our tour. Stöng is a well preserved ruin of a longhouse which was evacuated in 1104. Oddly enough, what caused it to be evacuated is also what preserved it so well.

The eruption of the nearby volcano: Hekla, scared the inhabitants and forced them to leave this settlement. All the ashes blown by the volcano, preserved the ruins of the lonhouse through the centuries. It is not until 1929, when some archeologists where doing some research in the area, that these houses were finally unearthed.

Autumnal landscape with a river and a wooden bridge

Old ruins or a viking long house, covered by a modern roof

3. Gjáin

Among the rugged, dark, volcanic landscapes stands an oasis. This oasis is called Gjáin.

In Gjáin we will walk down a few steps, and almost immediately find ourselves inside of lush vegetation. We will walk along streams and torrents of water, all the way to two magnificent waterfalls. If you brought a picnic with you, Gjáin is the place to stop.

A small, thin waterfall falls along a vegetated wall

A beautiful waterfall falls among basaltic columns into a crystal clear lake

In Autumn, a torrent of water trickles down

A torrent flows down amid volcanic cliffs

Panorama over bushes, waterfalls, streams of water

4. Háifoss

One of the tallest waterfall in Iceland: Háifoss. Its very descriptive name literally translates to "The high waterfall". Háifoss falls from 122m into the Fossá river.

Next to it is located an equally spectacular waterfall: Granni (=neighbour). The panoramas over these two waterfalls cutting the million-years old bedrock are unbelievable. On a sunny day, rainbows will be seen all over the waterfalls. Adding even more magic to the landscape.

If you are up for it, we can go down on a little hike (about 8km return), down to the bottom of Háifoss

Two gigantic waterfalls falling into an immense canyon

Two breathtaking waterfalls fall into a huge canyon, with rainbow shining over them

A tall waterfall falls straight along cliffs

CloseUp of the tip of a waterfall with a rainbow on the left side

CloseUp of the tip of a waterfall with a rainbow over it

5. Þjóðveldisbærinn: The commonwealth farm

Earlier today, we visited Stöng. The longhouse preserved by the ashes of Hekla, and abandonned since 1104. Now it is time to visit a reconstitution of it.

This replica of Stöng has been built in 1970, and now host an exhibition dedicated to the viking age in general and the era of Stöng in particular.

One can try and wear all the attires present in the exhibition, which will make children (and their parents) very happy.

A book laid on a table open at the page of a horse recipe, with a small sheep skull in the background

Entrance and corridor of an exhibition about the viking age

Two turf houses with a waterfall in the background

A viking helmet on a wooden board, with a shield in the background

A tiny, cozy, wooden nook with a bed nested in it

6. Optionnal: Ingolfsskáli Viking Restaurant

Finish this beautiful day with a fine dinner in a viking-themed restaurant. Made with seasonal, local ingredients only, Ingolfsskáli menu is varied and delicious.

The restaurant is located inside of a typical longhouse, all made out of wood inside, and with a turf roof on top. Beside the decor and the food, one can try axe-throwing and archery!

If you wish to include Ingolfsskáli to this tour please send us an email beforehand