Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
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Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
My trip
Talk to a local
Brúarfoss, often called Iceland's bluest waterfall, sits on the Brúará river near Laugarvatn, just off the Golden Circle. It is about 90–95 km (roughly 1.5 hours) from Reykjavík. Since 2023 you can drive to a paid car park 200 m from the falls, or walk the older riverside trail, about 7 km there and back. It is open all year and worth a stop for its turquoise colour.
Brúarfoss is not the tallest or widest waterfall on the Golden Circle, but its colour is what draws people in: the Brúará is fed largely by clear groundwater springs rather than glacial silt, which gives the water an intense, glassy turquoise even on a grey day. The blue stands out against the dark volcanic rock that frames the falls.
Access has changed in recent years as the site has become more popular. An official parking area now sits close to the falls with a short walk in, while a longer riverside trail from an older parking spot passes a couple of smaller waterfalls on the way and takes a few hours round trip for those who prefer to walk rather than pay for the short route.
That means Brúarfoss is no longer only for hikers. It now works for families, photographers, self-drive travellers and Golden Circle day tours, and many people still drive straight past it.
Brúarfoss means "Bridge Waterfall". A natural stone arch once crossed the river here and served as a bridge over the falls. It is believed to have collapsed sometime in the 15th or 16th century.
Local legend tells it differently. In 1602, during a severe famine, the arch is said to have been broken down on purpose, to stop starving people from crossing the river into the church lands of Skálholt. Whether that is legend or truth, nobody can say for certain.
The fee was ISK 750 per passenger car when we last checked, with higher rates for larger vehicles. Check the current rate on the Parka app or the signs at the car park, since prices can change. Overnight parking is not permitted at the official lot.
The biggest recent change is the official access road from Route 37. For most travellers this is now the best way to visit, and it is the one we recommend most often.
The original trail is still open and is one of the nicest short hikes near the Golden Circle. It follows the Brúará upstream, so the walk itself is part of the visit.
The route is about 3.5 km one way with very little climbing, and takes roughly an hour in each direction. In summer it suits most active travellers.
It is not for everyone, though. We do not recommend it in winter, in icy conditions, or with very young children. Even in summer, parts of the path are uneven, muddy or slippery after rain.
Stay on the path and back from the river edge. The banks are undercut in places.
The water of the Brúará begins as rain and meltwater from the Langjökull area. Langjökull is Iceland's second-largest glacier. On its way down, the water filters through porous lava and comes up again in clear springs, which is why the river runs so clean.
That clear, cold water scatters light in a way that brings out the blue, and the dark rock of the riverbed makes it stronger still. The colour is there all year. On a sunny day it can look almost unreal; on a grey day it is still plainly turquoise.
Around the river, the landscape is green with moss, low birch and other vegetation growing on old lava.
Early morning or evening gives a quieter visit at either car park.
There are no facilities directly at the falls. Laugarvatn, a short drive away, has cafés, a swimming pool and accommodation.
Laugarvatn and the villages around Geysir and Reykholt have hotels and guesthouses within easy reach of Brúarfoss, and make a convenient base for the wider Golden Circle.
Its water comes mostly from clear spring water rather than glacial runoff, giving it an unusually vivid turquoise colour.
The waterfall itself is free to see; the official car park nearest to it charges a parking fee, while the longer hike from the older parking area is free.
About 5 minutes from the official paid car park, or 3.5 km (roughly 2–3 hours round trip) from the older hiker parking on the longer trail.
It sits just off the classic Golden Circle route, near Laugarvatn, and is often added as an extra stop.
ISK 750 per passenger car at the official car park when we last checked, paid at the machine, in the Parka app or online. The hiker parking on Route 37 is free.
Yes, from the official car park, which is a 200 m walk. We do not recommend the long riverside trail in winter or icy conditions.
"Bridge Waterfall". A natural stone arch once crossed the river here; legend says it was broken down in 1602.
In South Iceland, off Route 37 between Laugarvatn and Geysir, about 15 km from each and about 90–95 km from Reykjavík.
Tours and trips that include Brúarfoss, booked directly with a local travel agency in Iceland.
