Lava waterfalls Hreinfossar

Hreinfossar is a series of small waterfalls located near the settlements of Housafedl, Reikhold and the tubular lava cave Viudhelmir.

The Hreinfossar falls are formed by numerous streams flowing from the lava field of Khaldmundhrein. The field was formed by the eruption of one of the volcanoes under the glacier Laungjökull in the west of Iceland. The Hviutau River, originating in the Laungjökull glacier, created a channel along the border of the stopped flow of lava Grauchrein. Since the lava rock is porous, the Hviutau River seeped there and went underground to waterproof basalt. Where the river gets out, it forms numerous waterfalls Hreinfossar.

This unusual origin gave the waterfalls their name: the word “hraun” translates as “lava”.