Ásbyrgi is an impressive horseshoe-shaped canyon located about 30 km (19 mi) north of Iceland’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss. There are several reasons to see this canyon.
The unusual origins of Ásbyrgi Canyon
Ásbyrgi is a true natural wonder. It is located in northeastern Iceland, along the so-called Diamond Circle and the Arctic Coast Way (Icelandic: Norðurstrandarleið). It is about 3.5 km (2.2 mi) long and 1.1 km (0.7 mi) wide. The canyon, together with the area around the nearby Dettifoss waterfall, formally belongs to Vatnajökull National Park and is called Jökulsárgljúfur (literally, Jokulsa River Canyon). However, it is a kind of detached “island” of the park, about 50 km (30 mi) from the northern edge of its main part. Interestingly, although the area belongs to the national park, it is managed by the Icelandic Forest Service.
Asbyrgi was carved by two gigantic, catastrophic glacial floods of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum River. The first is thought to have happened about 8,000-10,000 years ago, just after the last ice age, and the next about 3,000 years ago. Later, the river changed its course and flows east of the canyon today.
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Beautiful nature in Asbyrgi
One of the most distinctive features of the canyon is Eyjan (literally: island), a 25 m (80 ft) high rock formation that splits Ásbyrgi in two for almost half its length. Also surprising, by Icelandic standards, are the dense birch and willow woods. Spruce, larch and pine also grow around Ásbyrgi, but these species were planted here in 1947–77.
At the southern end of the canyon lies the small, beautiful pond Botnstjörn, a short, pleasant walk from the parking lot. This is certainly the shortest and easiest hiking trip in Asbyrgi.
Northern fulmars nest on the steep cliffs of the canyon – unusual birds that glide on the air currents above rough waves.
In the eastern part of the park, on the other hand, you can walk through picturesque heathlands and view the smaller but no less attractive canyon of today’s Jokulsa a Fjollum River. Also scattered throughout the park are numerous smaller rock formations created by past floods.
Hiking trails in Ásbyrgi Canyon
Map: Hiking trails in Ásbyrgi
In Ásbyrgi Canyon you will find several interesting trails of varying difficulty and length. Some trails are also open for cycling.
Á-1 Botnstjörn pond
Length: 1 km (0.6 mi), 1–1.5 h; easy route
This shortest route is marked A-1 and leads to the Botnstjorn pond at the southern end of the canyon. This route begins at the parking lot in the southern part of the park. We descend the stone steps to the lake itself, after which we can walk to the viewing platform under the western wall of the canyon. From there, along the canyon wall, we can walk to a small hill with a beautiful view of the canyon interior and return to the parking lot.
Á-2 Eyjan hill
Length: 4.5 km (2.8 mi), 2–2.5 h; easy route
In order to look at the canyon from the height of the central hill – Eyjan (literally, island) – we need to take the A-2 route. This route begins in the north of the park, at the parking lot near the campground. The trail first heads north, towards the place where you can approach the ridge of the hill (head up the wooden stairs). Once on the ridge, the trail turns south and heads toward the edge of the ‘island’ from where there is a beautiful view of the entire canyon.
A-7 Klappir
Length: 9 km (5.6 mi), 2.5–3 h; challenging route
If you want to view Asbyrgi from its crest, you’ll need to take the longer A-7 route. The route starts and ends at the tourist information (Visitor Center) in the northern part of the park. The trail goes east along the golf course and turns south at a trail junction. A shorter but more difficult version of the trail leads immediately south, turns east there and climbs up the canyon slope. This section has a fixed rope, which will certainly come in handy. Further on, the trail already leads along the canyon rim to the south, up to the viewpoint at the southern end of the canyon. In addition to a great view of the canyon itself, along the way you will also see very interesting rock formations carved there by the river.
In the basic version, you return from here along the same road to the parking lot at the tourist information.
Alternatively, you can return via a circuitous route, switching to the A-8 trail to see the beautiful Jökulsá á Fjöllum River.
A-8 Kúahvammur circle
Length: 12 km (7.5 mi), 4–5 h; challenging route
This route is a beautiful half-day hike where you will see all the most beautiful things in the park and Asbyrgi Canyon.
The trail starts and for the first part goes the same way as its simplified, shorter version, the A-7. Only after reaching the Klappir viewpoint at the southern end of the canyon does the A-8 diverge from the A-7 and head east through beautiful heathland to the Jökulsá á Fjöllum River canyon. The path then heads north along the canyon, after which it passes the ruins of the old Gilsbakki farm and the Ás park rangers’ cottage and returns to the parking lot. Those wishing to do so can depart further east on the A-5 route along the way.
Of course, routes can be combined with each other and modified. It is worth talking to the park rangers at the information center about all possibilities and the current status of the trails.
Route to Dettifoss
Length: 32 km (20 mi), 2 days; challenging route
Map: Trails in the Jökulsárgljúfur region
For really ambitious hikers, there is also a two-day hike to Dettifoss waterfall, 32 km (20 mi) to the south (25 km / 16 mi as the crow flies). Aside from Asbyrgi, the only campground on this route is in Vesturdalur, about halfway there. It is a very simple campsite, with no showers, hot water or kitchen. The Vesturdalur campground is also open for a shorter time than the one in Asbyrgi, as it is only open from early June to mid-September. At the end of this route, at the height of Dettifoss waterfall, the national park area ends, so south of it you can camp anywhere (except on private land).
Maps of hiking trails
You can download a detailed map of the area with marked hiking trails and other important points from the national park website:
Jökulsárgljúfur map and brochure (PDF, 41 MB – large file, better over Wi-Fi)
Ásbyrgi – tips and practical information
The canyon has a store, restaurant and tourist information center with a small exhibition dedicated to the canyon; the center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from June to August from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Near the entrance to the canyon there is also a campground (open from April 1 to the end of October). There are electrical hookups for campers, and toilets, showers and laundry facilities are available to guests, but there is no kitchen for campers. Reservations – as usual in Iceland – are not accepted, but large groups are asked to confirm their arrival in advance.
Park staff contact:
- phone: +354 575 8400
- email: [email protected]
- Asbyrgi Visitor Centre website: Asbyrgi Visitor Centre
How to get to Ásbyrgi
Ásbyrgi Canyon can only be entered (by car) from its northern side, from Road 85.
The entrance is about 90 km (56 mi) northeast of Myvatn and 60 km (37 mi) east of Husavik.
If you must choose one of these roads, choose the western one – 862. Dettifoss itself looks more beautiful from this side (although you won’t get to the very edge of the waterfall), and you can also stop at additional attractions on the way from this side – the Hljodaklettar (Hljóðaklettar) rocks and the red Raudholar (Rauðhólar) mountain. The nearby Selfoss waterfall is also a bit easier to reach from the west.