Name of Waterfall

Jónsfoss

GPS Coordinates (Approximate)

34H9+62 Brekka, Iceland

Location

34H9+62 Brekka, Iceland

Description

From the junction of Highway 1 and Route 92 in the city of Egilsstaðir, follow Highway 1 (the Ring Road) south for 11km, then continue straight along the road as it becomes Route 931 where Highway 1 bears to the left. Continue along Route 931 for another 23km to a T-junction, then bear left where signs point to Snæfells. The parking lot for the trail will be found just over half of a kilometer further, immediately after the bridge crossing the Hengifossá. From the parking area, take the gated trail up a flight of stairs, climbing only about 150 meters from the parking area to where the falls can be seen pouring into the canyon below. Step a few dozen meters off the trail to the right for a better view.Though essentially ignored in favor of the larger and much more impressive waterfalls further upstream, Jónsfoss is the first waterfall encountered as one hikes the popular trail to Hengifoss. The falls are situated just a few hundred meters upstream from the parking area, and can be seen from just a few steps off the main trail, dropping 55 feet in a narrow plunging fall framed with stark volcanic bedrock. The falls plunge somewhat facing away from the trail, so while a mostly clear view can be obtained, one never really gets a good look at the falls from the trail. The falls are also a bit distant from the best viewpoints as well, which lessens the impact.The information kiosk at the Hengifoss car park distinctly labels this waterfall as Jónsfoss, however the National Atlas of Iceland makes no such distinction and instead labels a waterfall on the next major drainage to the south as Jónsfoss. It certainly is possible that both waterfalls bear the same title, but given that the sign at the trail was much more detailed in scale, we suspect it may be the accurate of the two and will list this waterfall as such until additional information may clarify otherwise.

Other Names

[]

Magnitude

32.73

IWC Rating (International Waterfall Classification)

1

Total Height (ft)

55

Tallest Drop

55

Number of Drops

1

Average Width

20

Average High Volume (Cubic ft per second)

50 cfs (4 months)

Average Low Volume (Cubic ft per second)

20 cfs (8 months)

Pitch

90 degrees

Run (ft)

15

Watershed or Feeder Stream

Hengifossá