Gjáin Valley
A hidden valley of waterfalls, lava caves, and moss in Iceland's highlands
About This Experience
Gjáin is the kind of place that makes you wonder how Iceland keeps hiding spots like this. A compact valley in the Þjórsárdalur highlands, it's a lush pocket of green surrounded by barren lava desert — waterfalls pour over basalt ledges, streams weave through moss-covered rocks, and small caves open into the valley walls.
The main waterfall, Gjárfoss, drops into a pool at the head of the valley and is the centrepiece. But it's the accumulation of smaller cascades, braided streams, and the sheer density of moss and greenery that makes Gjáin feel like a place from another era. Game of Thrones used it as a Riverlands filming location in Season 4, and honestly, it doesn't need CGI.
We arrived mid-morning and had the valley to ourselves for nearly an hour. The 4WD access road filters out casual visitors, which keeps it peaceful. Nearby, the reconstructed Viking farm at Stöng gives context on what life was like in this valley before the Hekla eruption of 1104 buried everything in ash.
What to Expect
The final section of road to Gjáin (Road 327) is an F-road that requires a 4WD vehicle. The road is rough with a few shallow river crossings depending on conditions. From the small parking area, it's a short walk down into the valley floor.
Once inside, you can explore freely — the valley is compact enough to see in an hour, but you'll want longer. Paths wind between the waterfalls and along the stream. Some of the lava caves are accessible on foot, though a torch helps.
The valley is at its greenest from June to August when the moss is fully saturated. Earlier or later in the season, you'll still see the waterfalls but the colours are more muted.
Practical Tips
- 4WD vehicle is required for Road 327 — do not attempt in a 2WD rental
- Best visited June to September; the F-road closes in winter
- No facilities at the site — bring food, water, and extra fuel
- Combine with Háifoss (5 km away) and Hjálparfoss (20 km) for a full highland day
- The reconstructed Viking farm at Stöng is 1 km from Gjáin and worth a stop
- Stay on paths near waterfall edges — the moss-covered rocks are slippery
- The drive from Reykjavik takes about 2 hours via Routes 1, 30, and 32
- Mobile signal is unreliable in the valley — download offline maps before setting out
Photo Gallery
More Experiences in Vik
Gljúfrabúi
Barely 500 metres from the tourist crowds at Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi hides behind a narrow crack in the rock — wade through ankle-deep water into a small canyon and look up to see a waterfall pouring into a natural cathedral.
Háifoss
Háifoss drops 122 metres from a highland plateau into the Fossárdalur canyon — and right next to it, its smaller companion Granni falls side by side. The remote setting and sheer scale make this one of Iceland's most rewarding waterfalls to reach.
Hjálparfoss
Two streams merge and drop over a ledge of hexagonal basalt columns into a shared pool — Hjálparfoss is compact, easy to reach by regular car, and one of the most photogenic stops in the Þjórsárdalur valley.
Keldur Turf Houses
Keldur is the oldest fully standing turf farmhouse in Iceland — a cluster of grass-roofed buildings dating to the 12th century, connected by an underground stone tunnel, in the heart of Njáls Saga country.
Kvernufoss
Kvernufoss is a 30-metre waterfall hiding in a gorge just a 15-minute walk from Skógafoss — you can walk behind the curtain of water through a natural alcove, and most days you'll have it almost entirely to yourself.
Nauthúsagil
Nauthúsagil is a narrow, moss-covered ravine on the flanks of Eyjafjallajökull — wade through a shallow stream, grab the fixed ropes, and squeeze into a canyon that opens onto a hidden waterfall at the back. It feels like trespassing into a secret.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
The basalt columns look like a giant pipe organ, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rise from the surf like frozen trolls, and the sneaker waves will absolutely knock you off your feet if you turn your back on the ocean. Reynisfjara is magnificent and it demands respect.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is the waterfall you can walk behind — a 60-metre curtain of water fed by the Seljalandsá river, with a path that loops completely around the cliff face through spray, wind, and some of the best angles in Iceland.
Skógafoss
Skógafoss is a 60-metre wall of water so powerful it produces a permanent rainbow on sunny days — stand at its base and feel the ground shake, then climb 527 steps beside it for views all the way to the coast and the start of the Fimmvörðuháls trail.