W
ater flowing out of Hjálparfoss feeds the country’s second largest hydroelectric dam, Búrfellsstöð, which is located a little further downstream.
Hjálparfoss is a very romantic waterfall called the Waterfall of Help or the Waterfall of Lovers. Why is that? Read below…
Help Waterfall
The name Hjálparfoss means Waterfall of Help. In the past, when Icelanders traveled across the sandy and rocky highlands from the north to the south of the island, finding a grass-covered area that would provide food for the horses and water for the entire caravan bordered on the miraculous. The green area around the waterfall was often the first place they managed to find after a days-long journey.
The two streams of the waterfall converging towards each other and connecting in more modern times bring associations with the union of two people – with marriage. That’s why – especially in the tourism industry – today the popular name for this waterfall is the Waterfall of Lovers.
Although the surroundings of the waterfall are rough and rocky, combined with the falls and the reservoir, it creates an extremely picturesque image that is soothing to the eyes. Its uniqueness is complemented by basalt rock formations, in places wildly contorted and unusually twisted. Also close to Hjálparfoss is the Þjófafoss waterfall, which flows from the Þjórsá River, and the Háifoss waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls in the country.
W
ater flowing out of Hjálparfoss feeds the country’s second largest hydroelectric dam, Búrfellsstöð, which is located a little further downstream.
How to get to Hjálparfoss
Hjálparfoss is located on Road 32, about 23 km east of the town of Fludir (going by road it’s more like 40 km).
It’s worth a stop here when you’re exploring the Þjórsárdalur Valley. Other attractions of the area include:
