Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon
Jökulsárgljúfur, Iceland
★★★★★
Price
€0
Worth a detour
Yes
Best for
Waterfalls, basalt and wild Icelandic landscapes
Visited
October 2019
Every turn reveals something new here. Waterfalls, deep canyons, impressive basalt formations and vulcanic landscapes all come together in one of the wildest parts of Iceland.
Why I recommend it
Maybe, this is one of my favorite places in Iceland. Jökulsárgljúfur canyon stretches for around 25 kilometers and contains a incredible sequence of waterfalls, including Selfoss, Dettifoss, Hafragilsfoss and Réttarfoss. The landscape changes constantly as you follow the river. One moment you are right next to the raw power of Dettifoss, and not much later you are looking at much quiter falls, and bizarre vulcanic rock formations. For me, the basalt is one of the things that really makes this area stand out. Around Hljóðaklettar in particular, the river has eroded away the softer volcanic material and exposed the cores of ancient vulcanoes, leaving behind dramatic basalt formations at almost look fake.
What to do
Walk from Dettifoss to Selfoss if you have the time! The loop from the western parking area is only about 2.5 km and gives you two completely different waterfalls in one short walk. The full canyon trail between Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi is around 32 km, but you are able to easily visit the individual sections by car and combine them with the shorter walks. If you have longer, continue exploring north through the canyon. Hafragilsfoss, Hólmatungur, Hljóðaklettar and eventually Ásbyrgi all belong to the same Jökulsárgljúfur landscape, and together they show just how varied this canyon really is.
Good to know
Road conditions and weather can change incredibly quickly in this part of Iceland, so don’t rely too heavily on what things looked like when you left in the morning. Sunshine can turn into rain, fog or strong winds before you know it. Some parts of Jökulsárgljúfur are also reached by gravel roads that can become rough or difficult depending on the season and recent weather. Always check the current road conditions before setting out, especially if you plan to explore beyond Dettifoss. The traffic info website https://umferdin.is/en is your best friend here! And even on a short walk: bring layers and something waterproof. Iceland has a habit of changing the plans for you.
Photos
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