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The Circle of Waterfalls | Hiking in Iceland
El Circle of the Cascades, better known as Waterfall Circle, is a circular route that passes through five waterfalls in full eastern iceland. It is one of the few highland routes accessible without a 4x4, making it ideal for those traveling by regular car. Despite its beauty, it is very little known, making it a hidden gem.
For me, the Waterfall Circle is one of the best hiking trails in East Iceland (and I would say the whole country). And as a final touch, the trail ends next to a natural thermal pool, perfect for relaxing after the walk.
What to know before you go to the Circle of the Cascades
This hiking trail in Iceland is literally in the middle of nowhere, which makes it even more special. It is easily reached by the carretera 910, which comes from the area of HengifossIt's completely paved, and you don't need a 4x4 to explore it, which is unusual for a route that goes deep into the highlands.
How it looks quite far from the touristy Ring Road (carretera 1), very few travelers make it this far. And that's precisely what makes it a perfect plan for those looking for authentic, uncrowded spots. Near this route, there's also a free thermal waterfallYou can see its exact location on our map.
Please note that, being in the highlands, the Waterfall Circle is only accessible from May to September, when there is no snow.
The excursion is very easyMost of the trail is flat and the cumulative elevation difference is only 250 meters, so it doesn't present any technical difficulties. The only thing to keep in mind is that the ground may be quite wet, especially in grassy areas, so it's easy to get your feet wet. If you wear waterproof footwear, problem solved. And if not, it's best to have a spare pair of shoes and socks waiting for you in the car.
How take the route of the Circle of the Cascades
Step-by-step route through the Waterfall Circle
The Waterfall Circle is a circular route of 8 kilometers which takes about 3 hours to complete, including stops. The trail is well signposted with yellow painted wooden posts, and during the tour you will pass by five spectacular waterfalls. The best known are Studlafoss, Faxi y KirkjufossA good part of the path runs along a canyon with a river of turbid waters of glacial origin, which gives the landscape a wild and very Icelandic feel.
Although you can take the tour in any direction, I recommend doing it clockwiseThus, the waterfalls will gain in intensity and beauty, from less to more.
Shortly after starting you will see a couple of unnamed waterfalls (something quite common in Iceland), until you reach Studlafoss, a tall waterfall that tumbles down a wall of basalt columns. Its shape is quite reminiscent of the famous canon Studlagil, although here you will be completely alone.
Shortly after you will reach a suspension bridge that you don't need to cross: just keep going down the path and you'll reach Faxi, a huge, powerful, and very photogenic waterfall. From there, the route continues along the canyon until reaching the last waterfall: Kirkjufoss, a double waterfall in a spectacular setting.
This The last section is the wettest of the route. At some points you will find wooden walkways, But they don't cover the whole route, so you're likely to end up with wet feet. Wearing good, waterproof footwear is key to enjoying this part without any problems.
ᐈ Don't forget anything at home, read Suitcase to travel to Iceland that We tell you everything you need to bring.
Return to the parking lot
The last stretch of the Waterfall Circleat Kirkjufoss to the starting point, is the most "demanding." The trail goes up slightly and the ground becomes more rocky, which can make it a little difficult to follow the path. Even so, it is well marked with the usual yellow posts, so if you pay attention there is no risk of getting lost.
At the end of the walk, there is nothing better than relaxing in the Laugarfell thermal pool, located right next to the start of the route. Entrance costs 2000 ISK, although if you stay there, access is included.
Where to stay
Undoubtedly the best place to stay at the end of this route, or the night before, is in the city itself. Guest House Laugarfell. The light pollution there is non-existent, ideal for seeing the Northern Lights or an endless sunset if you travel in summer.
Also Guests can bathe for free in the thermal pool, a great plan to relax in the middle of nature. If you go by camper you can also stay in their parking lot and use their showers.
La The nearest town with accommodation is Egilsstadir, there you can stay in the Tehusid Hostel.
We hope that our guide to exploring the Waterfall Circle will be useful for you in discovering East Iceland and its breathtaking landscapes. To continue organizing your trip to the land of ice and fire You have all our Iceland guides full of tips, little-known places and recommended itineraries.
Another comment, Studlafoss waterfall, where is it? Because on Google maps it tells me that it is next to the Studlagil canyon… Very far from Faxi and Kirkufoss… About 18 hours walk… Where is the error? Will not be
Slæðufoss instead of Studlafoss?
Hello again Toni,
It is a very normal confusion considering that in Iceland there are hundreds of waterfalls that do not even have names or at least not on Google Maps. If you have never been to Iceland you will understand why they don't get a name when you tour the country.
This is one of those cases; Studlafoss is just before Faxi (there's also a Faxi waterfall in the south of the country, don't confuse them) following the route clockwise. It probably shares a name with the other waterfall because they are both... carCharacterized by having a waterfall over enormous basalt columns, something not so common.
In the Maps.me app this waterfall and in general the entire route appears. You can use it for hiking routes in Iceland and in most countries, it is much more reliable than Google Maps. We have an article explaining how to use that app.
A hug!
Perfect Alba, thank you very much!
Hi, we're going in a carcaravana, The entire stretch of carThe road is paved, right? Do you think it's a good idea to stay overnight here in the campervan?carAre you staying overnight? Is that possible? Perhaps we should contact the hotel beforehand to check availability? Do people camp there? Or is it quiet?
Hi Toni, if all the carThe road is paved and I don't think there would be a problem sleeping with the car.carThere's a campsite there, although I don't know if they have electricity. Camping isn't allowed because they don't have designated camping areas; at least, we've never seen anyone do it, and we've been there three or four times. It's an extremely quiet and very untouristy place; you might only see a couple of people on the road if it's a sunny day.
I hope this information is useful to you!