Private Tour of Thjorsardalur Valley Iceland Waterfalls5.0(8 Reviews)11 hours
From€1,821.83per person
Listing ID : 68710
5.0(8 Reviews)
Private Tour of Thjorsardalur Valley Iceland Waterfalls
11hDuration
Max 12 peopleGroup Size
EnglishSpeaking Guide
Mobile ticketAccepted
About this experience
Duration11 Hours
Group SizePrivate Group
Starts AtÞjórsárdalur Valley, Iceland
LanguagesEnglish
Private Full-Day Tour · Iceland Highlands
Private Þjórsárdalur Valley Tour
Waterfalls, Viking ruins, and a hidden oasis — all in one extraordinary private day.
The Þjórsárdalur Valley private tour guides you through one of Iceland's most historically rich and geologically dramatic landscapes, combining ancient Viking heritage with some of the country's most striking natural features over an 11-hour journey.
This region was shaped by centuries of volcanic activity, most notably the 1104 eruption of Hekla that buried entire farming communities under ash and preserved them for future generations to discover. The valley holds layered stories of early settlement, renewable energy innovation, and raw wilderness that few visitors take the time to fully explore.
The tour is designed for travelers who want context alongside scenery. A private guide accompanies you throughout, offering historical and geological insight at each stop rather than a surface-level overview.
The itinerary balances well-known viewpoints with less-visited corners of the valley, including a walk into Gjáin, a secluded gorge that rewards visitors with unusual rock formations, vibrant moss, and two waterfalls in an almost otherworldly setting.
Tour Highlights
Stand at Háifoss, Iceland's third tallest waterfall at 122 meters, alongside its smaller companion Granni in a dramatic gorge setting.
Explore the 11th-century Viking longhouse ruins at Stöng, destroyed by the Hekla eruption of 1104 and excavated in 1939.
Enter Gjáin, a hidden valley oasis with lush greenery, basalt formations, and two waterfalls shaped by four volcanic eruptions.
Visit Búrfellsvirkjun hydroelectric station and learn how Iceland generates clean energy from its glacial rivers.
Photograph Hjálparfoss, a two-tiered waterfall formed where the Fossá and Þjórsá rivers meet against a backdrop of basalt columns.
Discover Þjófafoss and Fossabrekkur, two lesser-visited waterfalls in the valley's remote interior with legends and landscapes to match.
Option to visit Þjóðveldisbærinn, the Commonwealth Farm reconstruction built in 1974, including a replica house of prayer based on local archaeological finds.
Itinerary Overview
1
Hjálparfoss and Búrfellsvirkjun
The tour opens at Hjálparfoss, where the rivers Fossá and Þjórsá converge to form a two-tiered waterfall framed by dark basalt columns. From there, a visit to the Búrfellsvirkjun hydroelectric power station offers a look at how Iceland harnesses glacial river flow to generate renewable electricity.
2
Stöng Viking Ruins and Þjóðveldisbærinn
The excavated remains of the Stöng longhouse date to the 11th century, when Gaukur Trandilsson farmed here before the Hekla eruption of 1104 buried the site under volcanic ash. A short distance away, Þjóðveldisbærinn offers a full-scale reconstruction of the farm, with an optional entrance fee giving access to turf buildings and a replica chapel.
3
Gjáin Hidden Oasis
A walk from Stöng leads into Gjáin, a sheltered gorge filled with moss-covered lava formations, birch growth, and two waterfalls including Gjárfoss. The unusual geology here reflects the cumulative impact of four separate volcanic eruptions on the valley floor.
4
Háifoss and Granni Waterfalls
At 122 meters, Háifoss ranks as Iceland's third tallest waterfall, plunging into a narrow gorge flanked by cliff walls. Granni, standing at roughly 40 meters, sits directly adjacent and provides a contrasting but equally compelling perspective of the gorge.
5
Lunch at Hrauneyjar Highland Center
A midday stop at Hrauneyjar Highland Center allows the group to rest and eat at the on-site grill and café. The surrounding highland scenery makes this a natural transition point between the valley's upper and lower sections.
6
Fossabrekkur and Þjófafoss
Fossabrekkur descends in stepped cascades where the western branch of the Ytri-Rangár river meets its eastern counterpart in the Rangárbotnar region. The final stop at Þjófafoss, near Búrfell mountain, closes the day with a powerful waterfall whose name — meaning thief's waterfall — reflects a local legend about hidden plunder.
What Is Included
Included
Private expert guide for the full 11-hour tour
All transportation during the tour
Stops at Hjálparfoss, Búrfellsvirkjun, Stöng ruins, Gjáin, Háifoss, Granni, Fossabrekkur, and Þjófafoss
Guided walk into Gjáin oasis
Lunch break at Hrauneyjar Highland Center (meal cost not included)
Not Included
Meals and beverages
Entrance fee to Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Farm (optional, paid on-site)
Personal travel insurance
Gratuities for the guide
Important Information
This is a private tour lasting 11 hours. Terrain at some stops, including the walk into Gjáin, involves uneven ground. Wear sturdy footwear and dress in layers suitable for Icelandic highland weather.
Duration
11 hours total, including all stops, the Gjáin walk, and the lunch break at Hrauneyjar Highland Center.
Meeting Point
Meeting point details are confirmed at the time of booking. The tour operates in the Þjórsárdalur Valley region of southern Iceland.
What to Bring
Sturdy waterproof footwear, layered clothing, a windproof and waterproof outer layer, sunscreen, and a camera. Bring snacks and water for sections between stops.
Cancellation
Cancellation terms are provided at the time of booking. Review the policy carefully before confirming your reservation.
Accessibility
The walk into Gjáin involves uneven volcanic terrain and is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with significant mobility limitations. Other viewpoints may be accessible depending on conditions.
Age Range
Suitable for most ages. Children should be supervised on terrain near waterfalls and during the Gjáin walk. The tour difficulty is rated easy overall.
Reserve Your Private Valley Tour
This private full-day tour offers an unhurried, in-depth look at Þjórsárdalur Valley — from Viking-age ruins and hidden gorges to Iceland's most powerful waterfalls. Places are limited to your group only.
The walk into Gjáin involves uneven volcanic terrain and some mild scrambling, but it is manageable for most visitors with average fitness. Sturdy footwear is strongly recommended.
Is the Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Farm visit included in the tour?▼
A stop at Þjóðveldisbærinn is optional. Entrance to the site requires a fee paid directly on-site and is not included in the tour price.
What is the historical significance of the Stöng ruins?▼
Stöng is the preserved site of an 11th-century Viking longhouse farmed by Gaukur Trandilsson. The farm was buried by the 1104 eruption of Hekla and excavated in 1939, making it one of Iceland's most important archaeological sites.
Was Gjáin used as a filming location?▼
Yes. Gjáin served as the location for the water dance scene between Arya and the Hound in the Game of Thrones episode "First of His Name." Þjóðveldisbærinn nearby was also used as a village setting in "Breaker of Chains."
Is lunch provided during the tour?▼
The tour includes a scheduled lunch stop at Hrauneyjar Highland Center, which offers a grill menu and café. The cost of food and beverages is not included in the tour price.
How tall is Háifoss and where does it rank among Icelandic waterfalls?▼
Háifoss stands at 122 meters (approximately 400 feet), making it the third tallest waterfall in Iceland. It drops into a narrow gorge flanked by dramatic cliff walls, with the neighboring waterfall Granni visible from the same viewpoint.
Þjórsárdalur ValleyIceland WaterfallsViking HistoryPrivate Tour IcelandHáifossGjáinIceland HighlandsGame of Thrones IcelandRenewable Energy IcelandIcelandic HeritageSouthern Iceland TourStöng Ruins
Þjórsárdalur Valley is located in the South Iceland highlands, roughly 100 kilometers east of Reykjavik. The valley sits within the broader volcanic landscape shaped by Hekla, one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, whose 1104 eruption buried the valley's Viking-era settlements under ash. The area is bordered by the glacial rivers Þjórsá and Tungnaá and encompasses several distinct natural zones — from the basalt-columned pools at Hjálparfoss near the valley entrance to the high gorge waterfalls of Háifoss and Granni deeper in the interior. The Þjórsá is Iceland's longest river, and the hydroelectric infrastructure at Búrfellsvirkjun reflects the region's role in Iceland's national energy system. Gjáin, a sheltered lava gorge accessible on foot from the Stöng archaeological site, represents a microhabitat unusual for the highland interior, with dense moss, wildflowers, and year-round water flow. The region sits within driving distance of the Golden Circle route and is increasingly visited as a more remote alternative for travelers seeking depth beyond the standard tourist circuit.
Region: South Iceland Highlands | Valley: Þjórsárdalur | Nearest Major Landmark: Hekla Volcano | River: Þjórsá (Iceland's longest river) | Tour Type: Private Full-Day | Difficulty: Easy | Historical Period: Viking Age / Icelandic Commonwealth (10th–13th century) | Key Sites: Háifoss, Gjáin, Stöng, Búrfellsvirkjun, Hjálparfoss, Þjóðveldisbærinn, Þjófafoss, Fossabrekkur | Cultural Reference: Game of Thrones filming location | Energy: Geothermal and Hydroelectric | Season: Year-round (conditions vary)
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