Grábrók to Glanni on Foot: Crater and Waterfall in One Morning

Two of West Iceland’s most approachable outdoor stops sit within a few minutes of each other near Bifröst: the Grábrók crater and the Glanni waterfall on the Norðurá river. Each is a short, low-difficulty walk on its own, so the smart move is to link them into a single morning — climb the crater rim first, then drop down to the falls and the quiet pool just beyond. Here is how to string them together without rushing.

Start with the crater climb

Grábrók rises roughly 170 metres above the surrounding lava field, right beside Route 1 (the Ring Road), about a 1.5- to 2-hour drive north of Reykjavík. The path to the rim is built up with wooden steps and boardwalk — around 300 steps in all — so the surface is stable even after rain. The ascent takes about 20 minutes, and the full rim walk with photo stops runs closer to 30 to 45 minutes. From the top you get a 360-degree look down into the crater bowl and out across the Borgarfjörður countryside. (We cover the climb itself in more detail in our standalone Grábrók post.)

Drive a few minutes to Glanni

Back at the car park, Glanni is only about 5 minutes away by road. Rejoin Route 1 and watch for the signed turn toward Glanni just before Bifröst; a short gravel track leads to a marked parking area. From there it is a roughly 5-minute walk on an easy path to the viewing deck above the falls, where the Norðurá — one of Iceland’s better-known salmon rivers — steps down over a broad ledge of lava. If you would rather not drive, a riverside trail of about 1.5 km also connects the crater area to the falls on foot.

Finish at Paradísarlaut

Do not turn back at Glanni. About 450 metres further on lies Paradísarlaut, a small, clear pool ringed by birch and mossy lava — a calm spot to sit for ten minutes or eat something you have brought along. Adding it barely lengthens the outing and rounds out the morning nicely before you head back to the road.

• Getting there: Both stops are on or just off Route 1 near Bifröst, roughly 35 minutes’ drive from Hvítárbakki in Borgarfjörður.
• Duration: Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours for the pair, including the short drive between them.
• Difficulty: Low. Grábrók is stepped and railed; Glanni and Paradísarlaut are flat, easy paths.
• What to bring: Sturdy shoes, a windproof layer (the crater rim is exposed), water, and a snack for the pool.
• When to go: Early morning for quiet trails and low light on the crater; the walks are doable year-round, but check footing after frost or heavy rain.

Where to Stay

Base yourself at Hvítá Trucks, our converted expedition trucks on the bank of the Hvítá river at Hvítárbakki in Borgarfjörður. It puts you about 35 minutes from the Grábrók–Glanni pairing, so you can roll out after breakfast, do both walks, and be back by lunch — then spend the afternoon by the river. Book direct on Ourhotels.is for the best rate.

Photo: Diego Delso via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.