Bruarfoss Waterfall in Iceland by far has the most blue water of all the waterfalls on the Golden Circle. It is a secret spot not too far from many of the typical Golden Circle sights. This waterfall may not be impressive in height but the color will leave you in awe. Many people believe that the Bruarfoss Waterfall is closed, but it is only the old cut through shortcut trail. This post will lead you to the correct way to find the Bruarfoss Waterfall. Is the Buarfoss Waterfall worth it?

Why Go To Bruarfoss?

The Bruarfoss waterfall was the highlight of our stops along the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle can get quiet populated with tourist as it is close to the city of Reykjavik, which makes it an easy option for people to get on a tour bus to. Most of the time when people ask me about Iceland I tell them to stay away from the Golden Circle route, this small hike is definitely an exception.

Many people don’t spend time here as it is not a tour bus stop and it is a bit of a trek. We only saw two other families a long the trail to the waterfall and back.

I heard it is closed?

Correctly finding this spot is important to know ahead of time. Many other articles give you directions to the waterfall that have you going through residents’ summer homes. This is not the way to go! Locals and residents have gotten upset with this shortcut, from people leaving debris and driving off road in their housing area. They have now put up a gate to keep people out. Here is more information on why they closed it. So please read my directions below to find the correct way to go.

Stats

Distance: 3.2 km one way (1.98 miles)

Time: 1 hour one way (2- 2 1/2 round trip)

Where to Park

The correct parking lot from the Bruarfoss is right along the Brúará River.

The waterfall hike starting point is located between the hot spring area of Geysir (around 15 km away), and the village Laugarvatn (about 14 km away) on Laugarvatnsvegur road number 37.

When navigating to Bruarfoss do not type in Bruarfoss waterfall!! Go to the Bruarfoss Waterfall Official Parking, found here.

There is a small parking lot by the Brúará river, the car park is not too large so it is best to go early in the morning or later in the evening. When we went in 2018 it was free, as most parking lots in Iceland are. There was only one other car besides our GoCamper camper van in the lot when we went in early June. You can read about our campervan here.

The Hike

From the parking lot you will walk mostly along the rivers edge. This hike is along farm land so you will have to go over the provided laddered step to get to the trail. This is to make sure the gates do not get left open and animals stay in the fenced area.

I will admit the beginning of this hike has not the best of sights, it leads mostly along the river on a dirt path. Very soon the path will get more narrow and weave you in and out along the rivers banks. This is were the trail begins to get quiet muddy. Be prepared with good waterproof hiking shoes and poles.

Besides maneuvering around the mud pits this hike is fairly flat. Making is a quiet leisurely trek.

Bruarfoss is not the only waterfall you will see along this hike. Before long you will be coming up on Gongustigur. This is where the water really begins to show its bright blue colors. I thought for sure we had already reached Bruarfoss early when I saw this. I was in awe, and didn’t realize there would be more and more of these along this path.

The next waterfall you will come across will be at Hlauptungufoss.

Not too much longer along the hike you will then come to Miðfoss. These small waterfalls can pack a lot of power, the water was loud crashing over these massive rocks!

Bruarfoss

Eventually the path will bring you right up to the Bruarfoss. Here you can cross the bridge, climb down on the rocks, and get many different interactions and views of this incredible waterfall.

Bruarfoss was formed by massive crevices in lava formations. If will definitely give you a different and unique type of waterfall to see in Iceland.

This hike does not have much to see in between the different falls but I was glad we did it, I have never seen water this shade of blue before!

The trek back is just along the same path you came in on.

I glad they decided to close off the short cut. There are so many other falls you see along the hike. As well that the closure has also has made it more secluded, since many people don’t stop knowing that it is not going to be quick, which many people in Iceland tend to do.

What to Bring

Hiking Shoes: I wore my Ahnu’s as usual

Trekking Pole: these are great travel ones and the collapse for easy packing (affordable as well!).

Water: a travel water bottle like this or this one would be sufficient.

Snacks

Camera

For my complete Iceland Packing Guide check out my post here.

Tips

Be respectful to the nature, stay on the path and take out what you brought in. If you follow these simple respectful rules it will let places like Bruarfoss be free and open to the public. Don’t do what others did that resulted in closing off the shortcut to this sight.

Please don’t take the short cut! Park at the official parking lot listed above and walk along the rivers edge on the marked trail, besides the sights a long the edge are better anyways.

Early in the morning or later in the evening are the best times to go to avoid the crowds, especially if there during the summer months.

Wear the correct shoe wear for this hike, it stays quiet muddy!

You can easily do this as a day trip from Reykjavik:

Booking.com