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If you are someone who enjoys hiking or just immersing yourself in nature, soaking up breathtaking views, or revelling in the legends and folklore of a place, then visiting the Iceland canyons is an absolute must.
These canyons allow you to partake in a variety of activities, experience different terrains, and learn more about Iceland’s rich history that’s always sprinkled with a little bit of legend. So, if you’ve got an upcoming trip to the island, or you’re just curious to learn more, read on.
The 11 Must-visit Canyons in Iceland
In a country that has been shaped and is ever-evolving with the continuous push and pull of fire and ice, Iceland boasts an exceptionally large number of canyons. But there are a few that are not to be missed:
1. Stakkholtsgja Canyon
Location: Thorsmork Nature Reserve in South Iceland
Hike Difficulty Level: Easy
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: It’s recommended that you allocate at least 1.5 hours to hike and explore the canyon.
This canyon is almost 2 kilometers long and 100 meters deep. With a number of streams running through the canyon, you can expect some pretty lush and green vegetation as you hike between what feels like sky-high cliffs. This also means that you need to come prepared for some wet conditions with waterproof hiking boots, clothes, and gear. Some of the highlights of this canyon are its hidden caves and tucked-away waterfalls.
2. Thakgil Canyon
Location: Next to Myrdalsjokull Glacier and 20 kilometers from the town of Vik in South Iceland
Hike Difficulty Level: Varies
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: Dependent on the hiking trail you choose, but we recommend that you stay over for at least a couple of nights.
Thakgil Canyon is a bit of a hidden gem here in Iceland. This canyon offers breathtaking mountain views, beautiful waterfalls, and hidden caves with multiple hiking trails all varying in length and difficulty. What makes a visit to Thakgil Canyon so convenient is that you can opt to camp at the Thakgil campground for a couple of days till you’ve experienced everything there is to experience in this magnificent setting.
3. Sigoldugljufur Canyon
Location: The Icelandic Highlands
Hike Difficulty Level: Easy
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: At least an hour, which includes the hike
Sigoldugljufur is also referred to as the ‘Valley of Tears’, and once you’ve seen all the waterfalls in the canyon, you’ll understand why. With so much water running through the veins of this canyon, it’s a mesh of beautiful blue and green as the vegetation thrives under the wet conditions. Sigoldugljufur is one of the more recent canyon discoveries here in Iceland, which means that you don’t need to worry too much about those peak-season crowds during our busy summer months in Iceland.
4. Jokulsargljufur Canyon
Location: In Vatnajökull National Park in the North of Iceland
Hike Difficulty Level: Easy
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: It’s recommended that you stay at least 2 days to complete the hike and visit some of the other attractions in the Canyon
The Jokulsargljufur Canyon is an incredibly interesting place to visit. The canyon was created by a glacial river carving its way across the country, which makes the canyon a testament to the power of nature.
The Canyon stretches out for almost 25 kilometers and includes incredible attractions such as Dettifoss Waterfall (the second-largest waterfall in Europe) as well as the Hljodaklettar Rock Formations that are also referred to as ‘Echo Rocks’ because of the strange echoes these weird and wonderful rock formations cause.
5. Asbyrgi Canyon
Location: About 38 kilometers east of Husavik in the North of Iceland
Hike Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: At least 4 hours, which includes the hike
Asbyrgi Canyon is seeped in Norse mythology. Since it lies in the shape of a horseshoe, it is said that it’s a hoofprint that was left by Sleipner, the Norse god Odin’s eight-legged horse, as it was traversing across the Icelandic terrain. The canyon is about 3.5 kilometers long and almost 100 meters deep. The geology behind Asbyrgi is just as interesting as the legends surrounding it.
The canyon was formed millions of years ago when a volcanic eruption underneath the Vatnajökull Glacier caused catastrophic glacial flooding. During this formation, the horseshoe shape came from a large rock formation in the middle of the canyon that essentially divides it for nearly half its length. This rock formation is aptly called Eyjan which translates to ‘the island’.
6. Glymur Canyon
Location: About 43 kilometers Northeast of Reykjavík in the Southwestern Iceland
Hike Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: At least 4.5 hours, which includes the hike
Glymur Canyon is impressive for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it’s a chance to see the tallest waterfall in Iceland, with Glymur clocking in at a staggering 198 meters! And, secondly, it gives you a new appreciation for the raw power of nature since the Botnsa River which Glymur plunges into is the reason why the canyon exists in the first place – eroding a path across the earth. The hike through the canyon offers a few unique experiences, such as wading through rivers, trekking across mountain paths, and moving through a cave.
7. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Location: Just west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur Village in Southeast Iceland
Hike Difficulty Level: Easy
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: At least 1.5 hours, which includes the hike
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is characterized by its green, moss-covered cliffs. You’ll need to be very careful about where you step, as the moss is easily damaged, and it can take years to recover, if at all. The canyon is about 2 kilometers long and 100 meters deep, with a pretty unique way of taking on hiking.
The hiking in Fjaðrárgljúfur heavily depends on the level of the river. If the river level is low, one can traverse the canyon at its bottom. But if the river level is too high, you’ll need to hike it along its ridges at the top. Either way, the views are to die for!
8. Almannagja Gorge
Location: Thingvellir National Park in the Southern part of Iceland
Hike Difficulty Level: Easy
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: At least 1.5 hours, which includes the hike
Almannagja Gorge has incredible significance in Iceland. Firstly, from a geological standpoint, the gorge lies on the infamous Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This is where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pushing apart. Seeing this natural wonder for yourself is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Secondly, this was the meeting place of the Althing, the world’s first parliament.
9. Nauthusagil Ravine
Location: Beneath Eyjafjallajökull Volcano in the South of Iceland
Hike Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: At least 1 hour, which includes the hike
This is another canyon in Iceland that’s considered a hidden gem. As with many of the other canyons in Iceland, the canyon explodes with lush greenery, but what makes the vegetation at Nauthusagil so exceptional is the Wild Rowan Tree that grows along its ridges. Follow and zigzag across the stream that will lead you all the way to a beautiful waterfall cascading over the Cliffside.
10. Mulagljufur Canyon
Location: Close to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in Southeast Iceland
Hike Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: At least 3 hours, which includes the hike
Mulagljufur Canyon is a Canyon in Iceland that is often forgotten. This is a shame since the fauna and flora and natural wonders of the canyon are out of this world. Bright-green moss and wildflowers covering the cliffs, and the Hangandifoss and Mulafoss Waterfalls are just some of the things that you can look forward to.
11. Studlagil Canyon
Location: In the Jökuldalur Valley in East Iceland
Hike Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Amount of Time to Spend in the Canyon: At least 1.5 hours, which includes the hike
If you want to see some of the most impressive basalt columns and cliffs, Studlagil is the place to go. This canyon was formed by a glacial river making its way across the land from the Highlands in Iceland. Today, it still boasts the brightest blue-green glacial waters that you’ve ever seen running through it. This along with the black basalt columns and cliffs, and Studlafoss Waterfall makes this one of the most breathtaking canyons in Iceland.
Iceland Canyons; Otherworldly Experiences
Visiting the Iceland canyons is incredible. And with most of them conveniently located close to the main roads and popular road trip routes, we highly recommend that you include these canyons as stops on your road trip itinerary. By renting a campervan in Iceland, you’ll take care of both transport and accommodation and have the ultimate budget-friendly trip to visit some of the most breathtaking Iceland canyons - an otherworldly experience.
