Quick Facts
Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 426′ / 130 m
Length of Hike: roadside
The Record
The most elusive of the Jökuldalur sisters is Mið-Rjúkandi (the Middle Rjúkandi). (I’m also referring to this as Rjúkandafoss since they all may be named similarly.) Tucked between the dramatic plunge of Ysta-Rjúkandi and the tiered cascades of Fremsta-Rjúkandi, this waterfall is the shyest of the trio. Because it has a smaller drainage basin than its siblings, it is highly seasonal. Depending on when you visit, it can range from a spirited white ribbon to what locals sometimes call a “wet stain” on the dark basalt cliffs. In my 2012 photos, you can see how it carves a delicate, thin path down the mountain, offering a minimalist contrast to the roaring power of the other falls nearby.
Much like Fremsta-Rjúkandi, there is no official hiking trail or parking area for the middle sister. While the main Rjúkandafoss now has a dedicated lot, Mið-Rjúkandi remains a sight primarily for those with a keen eye looking out the car window. There is something deeply rewarding about identifying all three. It feels like completing a puzzle that the landscape has laid out for you. In 2012, when the road was empty and the infrastructure non-existent, these falls felt less like “tourist stops” and more like part of a living, breathing mountain that changed its face with every passing cloud and season.
Directions
- This waterfall is found along the Ring Road between Akureyri and Egilsstaðir, much closer to Egilsstaðir. This waterfall is on the left side of the road if you’re headed east. Ysta-Rjúkandi is the furthest west, while Fremsta-Rjúkandi is the closest to Egilsstaðir. (The location on the map below is an approximate indication of where you might find the falls. The other two falls have much clearer locations (to me).
Waterfall Record 
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