Dear Stranger Things fans, this piece can be a major spoiler if you haven’t watched it yet. Scroll at your own risk!
In a faraway land, Hawkins, Indiana, nearly ten years ago, we got attached to the lives of a group of friends who rode their bikes through the ordinary and the otherworldly. They literally chased Demogorgons into the dark, saved the world more than once, and gave us yet another fandom to obsess over. As Stranger Things comes to an end, it isn’t just another web series signing off. It’s the end of an era – a saga every fan wished could remain a ‘Never Ending Story.’
Speaking of the ending, not everyone is content with the “Right Side Up.” Some find it disappointing, others linger in the grey, while a few have found their closure. Is Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown) dead, or is it Mike’s figment of a fantasy he wanted to believe in? But beyond the many fan theories around El’s fate, one detail has taken over social media feeds: the destination where she ends up. Fans have quickly moved from discussing theories and possible loopholes to dropping location pins and making vlogs about this newfound bucket list option.
Tapping into wanderlust almost instantly, fans believe they’ve found that “beautiful land, somewhere far away with three waterfalls” Mike always dreamed about — a place that feels less like fiction and more like a destination waiting to be discovered. It turns out to be Iceland, a country already known for its cinematic cliffs, glacial rivers, and majestic waterfalls that appear straight out of a fantasy.
The beautiful land with waterfalls
Alas, the curtain call has been made, but fans think they may have found Eleven. Where exactly? At Haifoss Waterfalls, Iceland.
Iceland, for the longest time, has been a popular filming location. From frosty glaciers to scenic waterfalls, you might recognise a scene or two filmed in this beautiful country. Often, travellers head to this cinematic country following the Northern Lights. Of course, it’s stunning.
But recently, the hype has centred around the Stranger Things waterfalls. Several vloggers and travel influencers from India and abroad are sharing Reels about Haifoss Waterfalls, assuming it to be where Millie Bobby Brown’s final scene as Eleven was shot.
And now, this destination is all over the internet.
Set jetting to Icelandic waterfalls
Hiking to a view like this is exactly what travellers seek in the growing “quietcation” trend. Something serene that brings a sense of peace. It’s the kind of destination that invites you to go off the grid and truly unplug, much like Eleven.
Located in south Iceland near the Hekla volcano, Haifoss features at least two waterfalls cascading like rivers of milk. Almost a two-hour drive from Reykjavk (Iceland’s capital) and off the Golden Circle route, it offers panoramic views from a parking area followed by a short, rugged hike. With no major facilities, crowds remain low.
It is considered one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. Fossa, a tributary of the Pjórsa river, plunges dramatically from nearly 122 metres. It is made even more striking by its constant companion – Granni, aptly named “neighbour” – flowing right beside it. Hence, it’s often referred to as a twin waterfall.
People think it’s Haifoss waterfalls, Iceland where Stranger Things was shot (Photo: (R) Netflix, (L) Getty)
According to travel influencer Pooja (who goes by the handle wanderfulpassport/Instagram), the place is “very remote and not on the Ring Road route that most tourists drive.” She recommends parking the car at the hotel for a day and taking a guided day tour to the southern highlands from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. “In one trip, you can hike Landmannalaugar, see Haifoss waterfall, explore a few canyons and other spectacular waterfalls. Almost all four to five stops covered are completely offbeat,” she says.
Now, getting there isn’t as simple as running up a hill and arriving. Those who have visited shared that the road leading to it is slightly bumpy, with rough terrain along the way.
The best time to visit, according to seasoned travellers like Kyana Sue Powers (Kyanasue/Instagram), who has been exploring Iceland for the past six years, is from May to September. The long daylight hours during these months are ideal for hikes and photography, with just the right temperatures. Winters, however, can be tricky due to snow.
Further, for adrenaline junkies, there’s another trail, slightly more challenging, leading down to the base of the falls. It is best attempted with good hiking boots and caution. The area is also considered a great picnic spot, with a few short hikes around the valley.
The surrounding lush landscape is stunning, with beautiful sunsets, while the nearby canyon offers a peaceful setting for birdwatchers to leisurely soak in Iceland’s raw natural beauty.
Trekking down to Haifoss waterfall (Photo: Getty)
Why fans might just be right
Now, for those thinking, is it really the place? Let’s break it down.
Towards the end of the final episode, directed by the Duffer Brothers, Mike — the group’s storyteller — narrates one last tale where every character finds their own sense of closure. Eleven, often dubbed “the Mage” in their Dungeons and Dragons world, finds peace. “There are two roads that Eleven could take. There’s this darker, more pessimistic one, or the optimistic, hopeful one. Mike is the optimist of the group and has chosen to believe in that story,” Matt Duffer tells Tudum in an interview.
Dressed in blue and pink, El walks to the edge of a cliff, looking out at a quaint town surrounded by waterfalls. And this scene is pretty much the same as the waterfalls.
For those counting the three waterfalls, one appears earlier in the scene while she is hiking, before the final reveal, as per a theory by Gizmodo. Chances are, there are three streams.
Now, Iceland was definitely the spot. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, the Duffer Brothers revealed that the scene was shot in Iceland and that the rainbow was real. However, they also acknowledged that “the only thing that’s added with visual effects is the small town in the distance. Everything else is real.”
Sunset by the waterfall (Photo: Getty)
In mid-2025, Icelandic media reported that The Duffer Brothers and Brown had arrived in the country for filming. Further, an influencer also shared her experience, saying, “I’ve lived in Iceland for six years and saw tons of film trucks at this location this summer. I thought it was strange — turns out it literally was Stranger Things.”
So, if you connect the dots, perhaps fans have found the location. However, there has been no official confirmation from the team about the exact spot. The creators have only revealed that filming took place in Iceland, nothing beyond that. For fans, though, that’s enough. As they say: “We believe.”
The gates may have closed on Hawkins, but you can definitely backpack to Iceland. And as Mike said, the Mage “finds peace and happiness” — and maybe, you just might too.
– Ends