Litlanesfoss is the basalt-column waterfall halfway up the Hengifoss trail in East Iceland, worth stopping for when you want a dramatic gorge view without treating the whole hike like a rushed box to tick.
Waterfall facts
Yes, if the basalt-column gorge is enough reason to walk uphill even when the full climb to Hengifoss still feels optional.
Litlanesfoss is not the tallest waterfall in East Iceland and it is not a roadside pull-off. What makes it worth the stop is the way the water drops into a narrow slot lined with tall basalt columns, creating a much tighter and darker scene than the open upper bowl at Hengifoss.
That difference matters for planning. Some travelers only need the midpoint payoff and would rather turn around after Litlanesfoss, while others are using it as the convincing sign that the rest of the trail to Hengifoss is worth finishing.
The draw is not raw height. It is the basalt-column enclosure, which makes Litlanesfoss feel more like a rock chamber with water running through it than an open cliff drop.
The waterfall sits inside a narrower gorge than many Iceland visitors expect, and the columnar basalt does most of the visual work. The columns are unusually tall, tightly packed, and close enough to the water that the whole stop reads as one geological scene rather than just another cascade.
That is why Litlanesfoss works well even for travelers who do not need another huge waterfall name on the itinerary. If the trip values geology, photography, or a more enclosed waterfall mood, Litlanesfoss can justify the effort on its own.
Yes. Litlanesfoss can be the turnaround point if you want a real waterfall payoff without committing the whole day to the upper trail.
| Choice | Best fit | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Turn around at Litlanesfoss | You want the basalt-column reward but not the full upper-gorge commitment | The walk is still uphill, so this is shorter than Hengifoss, not effortless. |
| Continue to Hengifoss | The full trail is the point and Litlanesfoss is part of the build-up | Choose this when the day has time for the larger waterfall and the higher-effort finish. |
| Skip the trail entirely | The itinerary only has room for a quick roadside pause | Litlanesfoss is the wrong fit if you cannot give the trail real walking time. |
The useful distinction is not Litlanesfoss versus no effort. It is Litlanesfoss versus the rest of the Hengifoss trail. Even if you stop here, you still need to treat the trail as an uphill outing rather than a casual roadside detour.
If the decision feels marginal, it usually means the wider East Iceland day is too full. In that case, a calmer stop around Egilsstaðir or Hallormsstaðaskógur often protects the route better.
Use Litlanesfoss on a day that already belongs to the Lagarfljót and Fljótsdalur side of East Iceland rather than forcing it into a rushed transfer.
The simplest base is Egilsstaðir. From there, Litlanesfoss works well with Hengifoss, Skriðuklaustur, Hallormsstaðaskógur, Atlavík, and other Lagarfljót-side stops because the day stays coherent instead of becoming a one-hike gamble.
If the trip is moving on toward Seyðisfjörður, a long Ring Road leg, or another weather-sensitive drive, Litlanesfoss should only stay in the plan when the walking margin is real. The stop adds value when it shapes the day, not when it steals time from the next necessary leg.
Travelers who want the softer side of East Iceland can pair the hike with lake and forest stops around Lagarfljót. Travelers who want a more dramatic hiking anchor should think of Litlanesfoss as the point where the day either deepens into Hengifoss or turns back toward the easier part of the route.
Use this guide for durable planning, then let official sources decide the live details that can change the walk or the drive.
That matters most when wind, rain, ice, daylight, or onward driving pressure could change the value of the stop. Litlanesfoss is visually strong from stable viewpoints, so there is no reason to rely on rougher side positions or tight timing if the day looks marginal.
It also matters if visitor details or trailhead assumptions are important to your plan. Check the official sources before relying on any service, access, or on-the-day trail expectation.
Use for trail and destination context.
Use before committing to the East Iceland drive.
Use for wind, rain, visibility, and temperature checks.
Use for travel and hiking safety checks.
These are the questions that usually decide whether Litlanesfoss belongs in a real East Iceland day.
Yes, Litlanesfoss sits on the same trail system and usually works as the midpoint waterfall on the way to Hengifoss. You can still treat it as your own turnaround decision if the upper hike is not the right fit for the day.
Yes, when the basalt columns are the main payoff you want. It is still an uphill stop, so it makes most sense when you value the gorge setting enough to give the walk real time.
It is an uphill trail rather than a technical climb. The more serious part is not the headline distance but how wet, icy, windy, or exposed the footing can feel near the gorge in mixed conditions.
It fits best on a slower East Iceland day based around Egilsstaðir, Lagarfljót, or the Fljótsdalur side of the region. It is weaker on a transfer day where every extra hour increases pressure on the next drive.
By ThorPublished Updated
Map
Use nearby places and useful bases before opening directions.
Interactive planning map for Litlanesfoss
Interactive map
Nearby place context and external directions remain available without loading it.
Routes and itineraries
Compare road trips and itineraries that give this place a sensible position in the wider journey.
Planning context
Open the region or practical guide that resolves the next planning decision.
Next step
Use the next page that helps turn this stop into a practical route decision.
