Best Canyons in Iceland: 17 Epic Canyons + Maps & GPX Tracks
When travelling across Iceland, Canyons quickly appear as some of the best and most spectacular geological features the country has to offer, among its many treasures.
View of the Markarfljótsgljúfur Canyon, one of the best and most scenic in Iceland
Some are easy to reach along the Ring Road, while others lie hidden deep in the Highlands and require a bit more effort to visit. Each Canyon is unique, yet they all share a distinctive beauty.
In this guide to Iceland’s Best Canyons, you’ll discover 15 incredible locations across the country. For each canyon, you’ll find practical information, maps, GPX tracks, and tips to help you plan your visit.
Whether you’re looking for easy viewpoints or the more challenging canyon hikes, this guide will help you explore some of Iceland’s most scenic landscapes.
Mulafoss Waterfall in the Mulagljufur Canyon.
Table of Contents
Which Canyons to Visit in Iceland
Seventeen Canyons is a lot of you are trying to built and Itinerary, so before we get into the list, here are my top picks:
- If you are driving around the Ring Road, I’d recommend not missing Fjaðrárgljúfur, Mulagjúfur, and Stuðlagil. They are some of the most popular for a reason; they are extremely beautiful and easy to access. However, also consider Ásbyrgi if you have time. It’s not that far from Dettifoss, and it’s well worth the time it takes to get there. The best time to visit these is from spring to Autumn, though access could be limited in the colder months.
- If you want more remote, hard-to-reach, and off-the-beaten-path locations in the Highlands, pick Markarfljótsgljúfur, Hvannárgil, Hafrahvammagljúfur, or Jökulgil. The highlands are only accessible in summer.
As I visited them all, several times in some cases, these are the places I would still go back to. Always check road.is for the latest road conditions, and safetravel.is for the latest travel warnings.
Quick Lexicon Introduction
The Icelandic language is highly descriptive and to the point. As such, it is easy to identify a geological feature by its name. These typically appear as suffixes in each location’s name. For canyons, these are the major identifiers in the Icelandic language:
- -gljúfur: Canyon or major gorge
- -gil: ravine, gorge, smaller canyon
- -gjá: fissure/crack in rock (often volcanic)
Now, when you look at a map, you can identify Canyons and gorges. You’ll find many more than the ones I’ve included in this post, which is a collection of what I think are Iceland’s most beautiful canyons.
Hvannárgil Canyon Viewpoint, Thórsmörk.
Map of the Best Canyons in Iceland
Here is a map of Iceland’s most beautiful Canyons. I added a photo to each pin on the map, along with a link to the dedicated post for convenience. I will also include links to the dedicated post and the Komoot activity for each canyon in this list, where you can download the GXP file for the hike.
Note that Canyons that are accessible with 2WD car have a blue pin. Canyons that require a car suitable for f-roads or larger 4X4 vehicles have been marked with a red pin.
In the list below, I have organized the Canyons by region so you can explore them individually based on your location and planned route. Or browse through for inspiration or travel ideas for your trip to Iceland.
Canyons in South Iceland
South Iceland is perhaps the region with the most canyons and some of the most accessible. And some of the most beautiful ones, too.
Nauthúsagil
Nauthúsagil is a narrow canyon accessible from Road 249, north of Seljanaldsfoss. It’s a short hike to get into this Canyon, and it is a bit of an adventure. Essentially, you will hike up a narrow crack in the rock, on a riverbed, and up a small waterfall to get to the end of the canyon, where another awaits, Nauthúsafoss.
Nauthusafoss, the waterfall at the end of the small canyon.
Þakgil and Remundargil
Ok, that’s two in one, but they are two small canyons next to each other. And you can’t visit Remindargil without getting to Þakgil. It’s a bit of a drive on a rough, dirt road to get to Thakgil, but it is absolutely worth it. The road is rough, but doable in a 2WD car, as it is not an F-Road.
Waterfall in Thakgil, a popular. photo spot right behind the Thakgil Campsite.
Remundargil is the Canyon next to Thakgil. The hike to Remundargil is somewhat challenging. It’s steep, on soft terrain, which makes it quite easy to slip. Once across on the other side, you are walking at the bottom of the Remundargil Canyon, surrounded by mossy green rocks. There is a waterfall at the far end of the canyon, too.
The trail also continues to a viewpoint above the glacier on the other side of the ravine, before returning to Thakgil.
Remundargil
The waterfall at the far end of Remundargil.
Also, if you are not familiar with it, you may want to check out my Þakgil Hiking and Camping guide. Plenty more Canyons and spectacular landscapes to discover there.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Fjaðrárgljúfur is, without a doubt, one of the most popular Canyons in Iceland. It is easy to see why. It looks as if it was sculpted in the rocks, and its meandering Fjaðrá river painted in it. Actually, it was sculpted in a way. The canyon was carved by a river when the glacier retreated, and formed a lake upstream of the current canyon. The run-off river then carved the canyon as we see it today. It is an easy hike and a must-see attraction.
The Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.
Djúpá River Canyon
In contrast with the previous canyon in the list, this one falls in the “hidden gems” category, but it’s kind of hidden in plain view. It’s next to a common rest area directly on the ring road. It’s a short hike into a small, hidden Canyon, mostly made of basaltic rocks, where you can also find two waterfalls. This is more of a location for those who want to experience Iceland away from the crowds. You’ll likely have this spot to yourself.
The Bassi Waterfall
Gufufoss, the second Waterfall in this small Canyon.
Múlagljúfur Canyon
- Múlagljúfur Canyon Map and GPX file
- Read also: The Múlagljúfur Canyon: A hike you don’t want to miss
Not only one of the best canyons, but one of the most epic locations in Iceland, if you ask me. Straight out of a fantasy book, with its cliffs covered in green moss, the two waterfalls, and the meandering river in the middle
The access road has been improved recently, and it’s easier to find too. You have two hiking options here: the main viewpoint, but also all the way to the top of the Canyon.
Múlagljúfur Canyon.
Canyons in East Iceland
East Iceland is home to one of the most popular Canyons in the country, Stuðlagil, but also one of the biggest and most impressive Canyons in the country, Hafrahvammagljúfur. While the former is extremely popular, the latter is seldom visited, being a remote, off-the-beaten-path location.
Stuðlagil Canyon
Stuðlagil is a natural wonder of recent discovery, and it quickly became one of the most popular attractions in the last decade or so. Located in the Jökuldalur valley in East Iceland, it was discovered around 2007, when the Kárahnjúkar power plant (see next entry too) was built. The dam that was built drained the river, revealing the spectacular basalt columns and the canyon. If you want to access the viewpoint inside the Canyon, you will need to hike to the east side.
Inside the Canyon, East side.
Hafrahvammagljúfur Canyon
Hafrahvammagljúfur is one of the deepest Canyons in Iceland. Absolutely impressive. At almost 200 meters deep, it is one of the deepest Canyons in Iceland. The trailhead is on an F-Road, and while most of the drive is easy, on a paved road until the Kárahnjúkar Dam, accessing the trailhead requires a 4WD vehicle with High clearance. It’s down a steep slope with big rocks.
You can still view the upper part of the Canyon from the Dam if you are driving a 2WD car. It is still a rather epic view.
View from the Kárahnjúkar Dam.
Hafrahvammagljúfur.
Canyons in North Iceland
There are a few Canyons in north iceland. The epic Jökulsárgljúfur and Ásbyrgi, but also the smaller Kolugljúfur, which makes for a nice, quick stop while driving through the Western part of North Iceland.
Jökulsárgljúfur (South and North viewpoints)
- Jökulsárgljúfur Dettifoss East and West and Ásbyrgi Maps and GPX Tracks
- Read also: Dettifoss, Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss East and West
Jökulsárgljúfur is a 25km long canyon in the North of Iceland. Part of the Vatnajökull National Park, this huge Canyon is most commonly visited when visiting Dettifoss, Selfoss, and Hafragilsfoss. The latter offers the best viewpoints into the Canyon. The Canyon is 30km long and 500meters wide at the widest point.
The Jökulsá á Fjöllum river runs through it, across a landscape filled with unique rock formations.
Jökulsárgljúfur, the beautiful canyon home to Dettifoss, Selfoss, and Hafragilsfoss.
The Canyon extends to the north and reaches another popular – and rather unique – canyon in the North of Iceland, Asbyrgi, the next entry on this list. While the northern part of the Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon isn’t as dramatic as the area around Dettifoss, it is still worth a hike as part of the loop trail that includes Asbyrgi.
Ásbyrgi
Ásbyrgi is an horshoe-shaped canyon close to Jökulsárgljúfur. Its size is mind-boggling. From the visitor center, you have a few different hiking options. From a longer trail that also passes by the Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon, to shorter hike toviewpoints at the bottom or at the top of the Canyon. The view from the top of the Canyon is not to be missed.
Ásbyrgi.
Kolugljúfur Canyon
Kolugljúfur is probably the smallest of the canyons in this list. You also don’t really need a GPX file here, but I still added it for completeness. It is a rather narrow ravine, with a beautiful waterfall at its upper end. The bridge across the canyon is a bit of an eyesore, though. At least, it provides good views of the Canyon from above.
Kolugljúfur and Kolufoss.
Another part of Kolugljúfur.
Canyons in þórsmörk
There are two main Canyons in the rather popular Stakkholtsgjá, a 100-meter-deep and 2 km long Canyon, and the lesser-known but spectacular Hvannárgil, more difficult to access and with very exposed sections along the trail. Located in þórsmörk, both are difficult to access, and you should take one of the buses there. Road f249 isone of the most dangerous due to the last river crossings, and many rental companies forbid driving their cars on that road.
Hvannárgil Canyon
Hvannárgil is probably one of the least visited of the Canyons on this list. While the most photographed and “popular” viewpoint is relatively easy to access from the Básar campsite, the upper part of the Canyon is much harder to visit.
While you can hike up to it from the viewpoint I mentioned above, parts of the trail are carved on a steep slope and are just wide enough for two feet, and are completely exposed to the deep canyon on one side. So that does not leave much room for errors.
Hvannárgil.
Hvannárgil, the more accessible viewpoint from the Básar Campsite.
Stakkholtsgjá
Stakkholtsgjá is a rather popular and beautiful Canyon, and relatively easy to access. Its walls are covered in moss, and at the far end of the Canyon there’s a cave with a waterfall inside. it is a relatively short hike, but worth it.
The Stakkholtsgjá Canyon.
Canyons in the Highlands of Iceland
The highlands are the region with the most difficult-to-access canyons, at least by car. Except for Sigöldugljúfur, the canyons in this list require vehicles suitable for f-roads, sometimes larger vehicles like Land Cruisers.
Sigöldugljúfur
Sigöldugljúfur, also known as “The Valley of Tears”, is the only Canyon in the highlands that can be accessed with a 2WD car. It’s a rough road, but a short drive, followed by an equally short hike to the Canyon viewpoint. It’s quite a unique sight to see the waterfalls appearing out of the rocks.
The Sigoldugljufur Canyon, or the Valley of Tears.
Jökulgil Canyon
- Jökulgil via Hattver and Viewpoint on the Grænihryggur Trail
- Read also: The Hattver and the Grænihryggur Hikes in Landmannlaugar
Jökulgil is a canyon in Landmannalaugar, surrounded by spectacular and colorful Rhyolite mountains. The entrance of the Canyon can be viewed directly from the Landmannalaugar Campsite, but it’s also possible to hike into it following a detour from the Skalli Hiking trail.
It’s also possible to get to a spectacular viewpoint on the opposite side of the Canyon, but that requires wading a knee-deep river and its several channels. So this is a rather difficult location to access, only for experienced hikers.
Inside the Jökulgil canyon.
Jökulgil Viewpoint.
Eldgjá
- Eldgjá and Ófærufoss GPX Track.
- Read also: Hiking to Ófærufoss
Eldgjá is a volcanic fissure, and it is considered the world’s largest volcanic canyon. It’s a staggering 40–75 km long, 600m at its widest point, and 270 m deep. It formed during a massive eruption, believed to have occurred around 934 AD.
There are a number of trails around the fissure, and it is most commonly visited while hiking to Ófærufoss, a beautiful waterfall that lies within the fissure.
It is an easy hike, but it does require a car suitable for F-Roads, and there is a river crossing. However, you can also park the car before the river by the ranger station and continue on foot from there. That still requires a car suitable for F-Roads, too.
Ofaerufoss, viewed from the trail at the bottom of the Eldgjá Canyon.
Markarfljótsgljúfur (East and West)
- West Side GPX Track
- East Side GPX Track
- Read also: Markarfljótsgljúfur Canyon Hike – East and West Viewpoints
And saving one of the best for last, Markarfljótsgljúfur. Located North of Þórsmörk, Markarfljótsgljúfur is a Canyon of epic proportions. At about 2mm meters deep and 4km long, it is one of the most impressive canyons in Iceland. You can visit both the West and East sides.
The West Side is the more “easily” accessible side. On a good day and with the proper driving technique, it is doable with most cars approved for F-Road use via F-Road F261, accessible from Hvolsvöllur.
The East side requires a large 4X4 to get to the trailhead at the Emstrur Bornar Hut. This is the vehicle I used.
The Hikes on either side aren’t difficult or long, and I was able to do both on the same day.
Markarfljótsgljúfur West Side.
Markarfljótsgljúfur East Side.
Additional Resources
- Discover more Hikes in Iceland here.
- Book with Blue Car Rental through The Photo Hikes and enjoy a 5% discount.
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