The view from the parking lot, west of Hverfisfljót is quite spectacular and it offers an ideal facility for having a sitdown to enjoy a packed lunch before continuing ones travels. One of the most impressing sights from the lot, on fair weather days, is Lómagnúpur palisades with Öræfajökull in the background.

Hverfisfljót originates in Síðujökull, a glacier tongue reaching from the southwest corner of Vatnajökull. It’s original name was Raftalækur, at the time being no more than a harmless brook. However, there was a glacier flood turning the brook into a major river and consequently it was renamed Almannafljót. The farms east of the river are collectively known as Fljótshverfi and in time the river’s name changed from Almannafljót to Hverfisfljót.

Prior to Skaftáreldar in 1783 the river ran wild between the mountains but then it found a steady route, it’s current route, flowing from the edge of the lava field through the sands and to the sea.

Source: HPFoss.