Finding Íráfoss: The Discovery We Never Planned
Sometimes the most memorable moments of a trip aren’t the ones you’ve researched for months. They’re the ones you never planned at all.
Late on Day 3 in Iceland, we were driving back to our Airbnb after a long day exploring some of the country’s most famous sights. We had already visited waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and black sand beaches, and the day felt complete. Then, off in the distance, we noticed another waterfall. It sat roughly a mile from the Ring Road, tucked quietly into the landscape beyond a stretch of open countryside. Curious, we turned onto a dirt road that appeared to lead in its direction.
A few minutes later, we found ourselves standing at one of the most beautiful hidden places we encountered during the entire trip. The waterfall cascaded over a cliff behind a curved wall of moss-covered rock that almost resembled a natural amphitheater. Sheep wandered through the surrounding fields, and there wasn’t another person in sight. We spent time taking photos, flying the drone, and simply enjoying the stillness. The waterfall wasn’t the largest we saw in Iceland, nor was it the most famous, but there was something about the setting that felt special. The combination of the waterfall, the green cliffs, the grazing sheep, and the complete absence of crowds gave the place a peacefulness that is increasingly difficult to find.
Íráfoss
At the time, we assumed it would simply become another pleasant memory from the trip. A beautiful waterfall among dozens of beautiful waterfalls. We left without knowing its name or realizing that we would be talking about it long after the trip was over.
The next day, during our Super Jeep tour of Þórsmörk, we found ourselves talking with our guide, Hinrek, about for KING & COUNTRY. The conversation immediately caught my attention because their music has been part of our family’s story for years. Before the pandemic, we attended one of their concerts, which remains one of the most memorable live events we’ve ever experienced. Their song Pioneers has always resonated with me because of its themes of faith, courage, perseverance, and choosing purpose over comfort. In many ways, those themes align closely with the mindset behind our Epic Travel Plan.
As we watched the Pioneers music video together, something suddenly looked familiar.
“That’s the waterfall we visited yesterday!”
Sure enough, it was the same place.
The hidden waterfall we had discovered completely by accident was Íráfoss, one of the filming locations used in the Pioneers music video. What had seemed like a random stop the day before suddenly took on a deeper meaning. Years before we ever planned a trip to Iceland, we had listened to that song, attended that concert, and been inspired by its message. Without realizing it, we had wandered into a place that was already connected to our family’s story.
Looking back, that’s what makes Íráfoss so memorable. Throughout Iceland we visited glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, mountains, and waterfalls that were objectively more dramatic and impressive. Yet this hidden waterfall remains one of the places I think about most often.
We spent months planning Iceland around iconic landscapes and natural wonders. We researched routes, viewpoints, hikes, and hidden gems. Yet one of the most meaningful discoveries of the entire trip came from an unplanned turn down a dirt road.
What began as a random stop became a memory anchor—a place where faith, family, music, and adventure unexpectedly intersected.
We thought we had discovered Íráfoss.
In some ways, it feels like Íráfoss discovered us.
