Half way through the 12-day trip in Iceland, we had already climbed the Glymur, the once highest waterfall before another higher fall discovered in highland; visited Goðafoss, the historically important waterfall, and Dettifoss, the largest fall by volume discharge. In northeast of Iceland we were ready to cross off one more waterfall from the list–the Hengifoss.
After Dettifoss, we got back to the Ring Road and continued east to Egilsstaðir. We passed boundless barren land, it was striking! Deep black soil stretched as far as the eye could see, it felt like driving on the Moon!
As we got closer to Egilsstaðir, the land turned interesting again, more waterfalls and green field and hill.
We stopped by this bridge before entering Egilsstaðir.
Egilsstaðir is the largest town in the east Iceland, we found a pretty pond by the roadside for picnic lunch.
After the break, we headed to Hengifoss, the third tallest waterfall in Iceland, second to Glymur.
Hengifoss is an hour drive to the south of Egilsstaðir. We caught a glimpse of the waterfall in the distance when approaching from road 931. However to reach the bottom of the waterfall we got to hike 2.5 km. It was very pleasant hike, we could glance the top of the Hengifoss from the trail.
The add-on bonus along the trail was this waterfall, Litlanesfoss, at 1 km mark.
Look at the vertical columns! Formed by rapid cooling of hot running lava hit cold water million years ago.
It was supposed to be an easy hike, however it turned into an arduous trek. Starting at 1.5 km mark, it rained, then it poured! People were moving in the opposite direction to get off the hike. We trotted on.
Only eyed to the ground in front of us, we kept moving forward and upward. By the time we reached the base of the waterfall, my lens was wet and foggy. The landscape got so muddy and slippery, but we were on cloud nine!
We made it! Thank God for water-proof jacket and pants, and hiking sticks! And never gave up too early!
They say if you don’t like the weather in Iceland, just wait for five minutes. So true! The magic happened on our descending, the sky cleared up again.
Another bonus of the hike was the Lagarfljot Lake, we failed to notice it climbing up in the rain. The long skinny lake shined under the sunlight, like a silk belt. Legend said a monster lived, still lives, in the lake. Someone even posted a video on YouTube to prove it.
The sunshine made EVERYTHING looked better. Oh, the joy!
Chasing The Wind 