Raudfeldsgja Canyon (Rauðfeldsgjá) is the narrowest, and largest, rock crevice you can see from the inside in Iceland. See where you can find it and what to expect inside.
Hidden treasure of Iceland
Raudfeldsgja Canyon is certainly one of the most spectacular places you can see in Iceland. Very high or deep, yet extremely narrow, the canyon is very impressive. For most of the canyon, you can touch both of its walls at the same time with your outstretched hands. The high dark walls overgrown with moss, the light barely penetrating through the crack and the interesting colors make this place really special.
The gorge – or rock crevice – of Raudfeldsgja is very easily accessible and practically anyone can go at least a little inside. Just getting to the gorge and the first 20 meters inside is a completely walkable trip, requiring no preparation (unless the stream flowing there is extremely active). On the other hand, the trip farther inside requires skilful walking on slippery rocks, so also appropriate footwear.
Deep in the canyon there is a rock step, over which a small waterfall flows. It is practically impossible to cross it with a dry foot, but for those willing to do so, there is a rope placed there to make it easier to climb the step.
Nevertheless, already the first – the easiest – meters inside the gorge show its inner beauty 🙂 and are worth a visit.
Until a few years ago, the place was hidden and quite rarely visited. Today, also as a result of the great interest in Iceland, it is visited by numerous tourists.
How to get to Rauðfeldsgjá Canyon
Raudfeldsgja is a gorge in the rocks above Road 574 on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, about 5 km north of Arnarstapi
There is a convenient parking lot at the gorge (about 500 meters from the entrance), and the path to the gorge is gravel, but flat and comfortable.
