When to go
Spring–autumn
Accessible year-round, but shoulder seasons feel calm and spacious.
Region
West Iceland Travel Guide: Borgarfjörður, Hraunfossar & Sagas
Easy-access landscapes—waterfalls, hot springs, and calm detours that fit neatly into most itineraries.
Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team
Great add-on
1–2 days
Perfect between Reykjavík and the north, or as a relaxed mini loop.
Safety + sourcing
Last updated: 2026-02-01
This guide is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly—always check official alerts and road conditions before you drive or hike.
Sources to check
Travel style
Relaxed loop
Short drives and easy stops—ideal if you want a slower rhythm.
Typical drive days
1–3 hours
Plenty of time for hot springs and scenic side roads.
Don’t miss
Waterfalls and geothermal stops that fit into almost any route.
Hraunfossar
A series of rivulets streaming out of a 900-meter-wide lava field directly into the Hvita river, about 120 km north of Reykjavik. The effect is unlike any other Icelandic waterfall because there is no single drop point. Walk the short boardwalk trail (10 to 15 minutes) and continue upstream to Barnafoss, a turbulent rapids squeezed through a narrow basalt channel. The two falls together take about 30 to 45 minutes to visit.
Deildartunguhver
Europe’s most powerful hot spring, pushing 180 liters of near-boiling water (97 degrees Celsius) per second from the ground. Located about 110 km from Reykjavik in the Borgarfjordur valley, it supplies geothermal heating to towns as far as 64 km away. The adjacent Krauma geothermal baths use the spring water cooled to bathing temperature, making it an excellent 1 to 2 hour stop to soak and relax.
Borgarnes
A compact coastal town about 75 km north of Reykjavik (roughly 1 hour by car), making it the natural gateway to West Iceland. The Settlement Center museum covers the Egils Saga and early Norse history in an engaging multimedia exhibit (allow 1 hour). The town has solid bakeries, a good swimming pool, and views across Borgarfjordur. It works well as an overnight base for day trips to Hraunfossar, Reykholt, and Husafell.
Húsafell
A small highland community about 130 km from Reykjavik, surrounded by birch forest and lava fields. It serves as the base for Into the Glacier tours on Langjokull (Iceland’s second-largest ice cap), Vidgelmir lava cave visits (Iceland’s largest lava tube at 1,585 meters long), and hikes into Hringvegur canyon. The Canyon Baths offer a quieter geothermal soak alternative, and the area deserves at least a full day.
Planning help
West Iceland FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.