Stranger Things in Iceland: Háifoss & Cinematic Hikes
When the final episode of Stranger Things aired, few viewers expected a remote Icelandic waterfall to steal the spotlight. Yet almost overnight, Háifoss began trending across social media, travel blogs, and search results — quickly becoming linked to one of the show’s most memorable moments.
The fascination makes sense. Stranger Things has always been about places that feel familiar, but not quite right — landscapes that hint at something darker, deeper, and unknown. Iceland offers that same feeling in real life. Not through special effects, but through nature shaped by glaciers, volcanoes, floods, and time.
From moss-covered lava fields to towering waterfalls plunging into deep canyons, Iceland often feels unreal even when you’re standing right there. This guide goes beyond a simple list of locations. We’ll look at what’s actually known about Háifoss and the Stranger Things in Iceland connection, then build a practical, inspiring journey through cinematic hikes in Iceland, road-trip stops that resemble the Upside Down, and a Glacier Discovery with Local Guide from Freysnes.
Along the way, you’ll also find practical planning tips, trusted safety resources, and advice that helps you experience these landscapes responsibly — and enjoy them for what they truly are.
In This Guide
Why Stranger Things in Iceland Went Viral
The surge in interest following the finale of Stranger Things in Iceland is the result of a perfect storm:
A globally watched final season
Viewers searching for real places behind fictional worlds
Iceland’s landscapes already looking like they belong in a sci-fi series
Unlike studio sets or heavily altered locations, Iceland doesn’t need much enhancement. Lava fields stretch for kilometers, glaciers spill out of mountains, and waterfalls crash into canyons carved by ancient floods. These are places that feel cinematic because they are dramatic — not because someone designed them to be.
That’s why so many travelers now arrive looking for more than just a photo. They want to walk, hike, and experience landscapes that feel otherworldly — and that’s where good planning makes all the difference.
Is Háifoss the filming location of Stranger Things in Iceland?
Háifoss is widely reported and visually matched as the real waterfall landscape seen in a key Stranger Things scene. Travel writers and fans quickly identified the dramatic canyon and twin waterfalls — Háifoss and the nearby Granni — as matching what appeared on screen. This also matches reports of spotted film sets for Stranger Things in Iceland.
What’s important for travelers to understand is nuance. While the waterfall itself is real and unmistakable, some background elements in television productions can be digitally enhanced. That doesn’t take away from the experience — standing at Háifoss still feels powerful, remote, and raw.
What makes Háifoss special isn’t just its appearance in pop culture. It’s the setting: steep canyon walls, dark volcanic rock, and minimal infrastructure. On misty or overcast days, the atmosphere can feel almost surreal — quiet, dramatic, and slightly unsettling in the best way.
For many fans, visiting Háifoss has become a way to experience Stranger Things in Iceland beyond the screen.
Iceland landscapes that feel like the Upside Down
Háifoss may have sparked the Stranger Things in Iceland hype, but it’s far from the only place in Iceland that feels unreal. Some of the most “otherworldly” landscapes aren’t single viewpoints at all — they’re places where scale, silence, and constantly changing terrain take over.
Múlagljúfur Canyon
A hidden world of moss and waterfalls
Múlagljúfur is often described as one of the most cinematic hikes in Iceland — and for good reason. The trail leads into a deep canyon framed by steep cliffs, green slopes, and multiple waterfalls spilling down from above.
The hike feels like stepping into a hidden world. Weather and trail conditions can be challenging. Wind, mist, and soft ground can quickly change the experience, making good footwear and situational awareness essential.
On overcast days especially, the canyon takes on a quiet, almost eerie atmosphere. This hike is not for everyone but it rewards well prepared hikers with unique views and an exceptional experience.
Skaftafell National Park trails
Classic, reliable, and cinematic
Skaftafell National Park offers some of Iceland’s most accessible and cinematic hikes, and it’s a natural next stop after exploring more remote areas like Múlagljúfur.
Forest paths, basalt formations, glacier tongues, and wide viewpoints all come together in one compact area.
Popular options include:
Svartifoss and its iconic basalt columns
Glacier-edge viewpoints overlooking Skeiðarárjökull
- Glacier Hikes onto Falljökull from nearby Freysnes with Local Guide of Vatnajökull
Skaftafell is also a place where visitors can easily adjust plans based on weather — choosing shorter forest walks on windy days or higher viewpoints when conditions allow.
A road trip through Iceland’s most cinematic landscapes
Many travelers experience Iceland’s “Upside Down” moments not on a single hike, but while moving between them. Driving — and sometimes walking — through these transitions is where the landscape begins to feel truly unreal.
South Coast stops that look unreal
Along Iceland’s South Coast, the scenery shifts constantly. Moss-covered lava fields give way to wide black sand plains shaped by glacial floods, followed by distant glacier tongues and mountain ridges.
These are places where slowing down pays off. Cloud cover, wind, and light can dramatically change the mood, turning familiar views into something far more atmospheric — especially in unsettled weather.
A new way to experience Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
One of the least experienced — yet most rewarding — ways to approach Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is on foot, starting from the Svínafell or Skaftafell area and moving east toward the lagoon.
This walk follows the edge of Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers and crosses wide outwash plains, subtle ridgelines, and quiet viewpoints overlooking multiple glacier lagoons along the way. Instead of arriving at Jökulsárlón as a standalone stop, you gradually see how glaciers, rivers, and lagoons connect across the landscape.
The trail is fairly new and includes footbridges for river crossings. Few visitors take this route, which makes it feel particularly remote and immersive. This long hike is for experienced hikers in good conditions.
Icebergs, silence, and scale at Jökulsárlón
By the time you reach Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the famous icebergs feel less like a photo stop and more like the natural conclusion of a journey. Watching ice drift and rotate across the lagoon takes on new meaning after seeing where it comes from.
Take time here. Listen to the wind moving across the water and the occasional crack of shifting ice. On quieter days, the stillness and scale can feel almost unreal — cinematic not because of drama, but because of simplicity.
Glacier landscapes that look straight out of sci-fi
Glaciers are not static attractions. They crack, melt, shift, and change constantly — which is exactly why they feel so powerful.
The most beautiful glacier outlet to choose from for a glacier hike in the summertime is called Falljökull. It is part of the Vatnajökull Ice Cap and local companies offer hikes for all different ages, experiences and abilities.
Háifoss & Granni Waterfalls
Háifoss drops nearly 120 meters into a rugged canyon in Þjórsárdalur, making it one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls. Just beside it, Granni adds a second cascade, creating a scene that feels vast and untamed.
How to get there
Háifoss is accessed via Road 332, a gravel road branching off Route 32. The drive itself is short but can be rough, with potholes and uneven sections. Conditions change frequently depending on weather and maintenance.
Keep in mind that the road is often closed during winter.
Before heading out, always check official road information:
A 4×4 vehicle is recommended, especially after rain or early/late in the season.
The hike
From the parking area, it’s a relatively short walk to the main viewpoint. However, the canyon edge is exposed, and wind can be strong. Stick to marked paths and keep a safe distance from the edge — the views are impressive without taking risks.
Our tip: make it a full day
Þjórsárdalur is full of dramatic scenery and makes Háifoss easy to combine with other stops like:
Hjálparfoss — accessible and striking
Gjáin — a lush, lava-framed valley with small waterfalls
Together, these places create a day that feels varied, immersive, and far from crowded. Take some snacks and remember to only leave footprints.
Local Guide Glacier Discovery from Freysnes
A glacier discovery is more than a walk on ice. It’s a chance to understand how glaciers form, how they move, and why conditions change from season to season.
Exploring Vatnajökull with experienced local guides offers insight into:
Crevasses and glacier structure
Seasonal safety considerations
The scale and movement of Europe’s largest glacier
For many visitors, this becomes the most memorable experience of their trip — not because it’s extreme, but because it adds meaning to the landscape.
Learn more about our Local Guide Glacier Discovery from Freysnes here.
Famous Iceland hikes that live up to the hype
If you’re planning a trip inspired by Stranger Things, these well-known hikes consistently deliver:
Háifoss & Granni
Múlagljúfur Canyon
Svartifoss in Skaftafell
Selected Skaftafell viewpoints
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (stay strictly on marked paths)
You don’t need to do them all. A few well-chosen stops create a richer experience than rushing through everything.
Planning your Iceland trip responsibly
Good planning isn’t about overthinking — it’s about staying flexible and informed.
Check conditions
Locals rely on these tools, and visitors should too:
Conditions can change quickly, especially near glaciers and exposed areas.
What to wear
- Warm base layer
- Insulating mid-layer
-
Windproof and waterproof outer shell
-
Hat, gloves, and sturdy hiking boots
Stay on trails
Shortcuts damage fragile ground and can be dangerous. Staying on marked paths protects both you and the landscape.
Off-road driving is illegal in Iceland and heavily fined.
From Stranger Things in Iceland to real Iceland adventures
If Stranger Things in Iceland sparked your curiosity, Iceland rewards those who go a step further — who slow down, learn the landscape, and experience it with respect. These places aren’t just backdrops. They’re living environments shaped by forces still at work today.
For fans planning a trip inspired by Stranger Things in Iceland, these landscapes offer a rare chance to step into a world that feels both familiar and completely wild.
With thoughtful planning, the right information, and a willingness to let the weather and terrain set the mood, Iceland can feel just as cinematic in real life — no CGI required. Welcome to our world of fire and ice, moss and waterfalls, green fields and snowy mountains. Welcome to follow Stranger Things in Iceland!
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