The beautiful Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon is in the southern part of Iceland. A river flows through the canyon’s bottom, making it a truly amazing sight to view. The canyon is about 2 kilometers long and over 100 meters deep. It took millions of years for the Fjaðrá River to erode the rock and make the canyon. The river still runs through the canyon today.
The canyon is close to the town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur and is a famous place for tourists to visit in Iceland. Why would they? The canyon walls are very steep and sheer, and the tracks that lead to the bottom are very winding. From the platform at the top of the canyon, people can see the winding river below and the scenery around them, which includes rolling green hills and sharp mountain peaks in the distance.
Visiting Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
People who go to Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon can either stay on top and enjoy the view or walk down into the canyon itself. It says that the walk is easy. It only takes a few minutes to hike to the lookout point, but you can also choose to walk along the canyon to see the waterfall at the end of it. The views from the trails are stunning, with the canyon walls rising up on either side and the river rushing by below.
Hiking down by the river is another way to see Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. A lot of people do this when they want to see the canyon in a more exciting way. To get into the canyon, you’ll have to walk through the water. You will see the beautiful views from a different angle.
How Fjaðrárgljúfur was formed
The Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is about 2 km long and about 100 meters deep. It is thought to be 2 million years old. Over millions of years, the Fjaðrá River, which flows through the canyon, wore away at the rock and made the canyon.
The biggest glacier in Iceland, Vatnajökull, is where the Fjaðrá River starts. As the glacier melts, water flows down and forms several rivers, including the Fjaðrá. The river flows down a steep slope, making a fast flow of water that wears away at the rocks and dirt around it.
There are several things that led to the formation of Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. These include the nature of the area and the melting glaciers that feed the river. During the last ice age, about 2 million years ago, a huge glacier covered the area and carved out the canyon. A lot of silt and other things were left behind when the glacier started to melt. The Fjaðrá River has been wearing these away over time.
Natural forces have formed layers of volcanic rock, basalt columns, and sedimentary deposits over millions of years. The river has worn away at these layers, revealing them. There are also several waterfalls in the canyon. The Fjaðrá River falls over rocks and forms the waterfalls.
“I’ll show you” by Justin Bieber: The Most Popular Place to Shoot
This canyon is near Kirkjubaejarklaustur, which is in the southeast of Iceland. People didn’t like this creek as a tourist spot until Justin Bieber filmed his video here that same year. Yes, Justin Bieber’s “I’ll Show You” video does begin with beautiful shots of the edge that looks like a snake. Watch the video to see how beautiful this place is. People think that movie caused a lot more tourists to come to this area, which is now one of the best places to visit in Iceland. In 2015, Justin Bieber also filmed some of the movie in South Iceland.
Find out how to get to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.
A car is the best way to get to Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. The canyon is about 150 kilometers east of Reykjavik, close to the town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. To get there, you’ll need to rent a car or hire a tour guide. Before you can see the canyon, you’ll need to park your car in one of the designated lots and walk for about 1.5 kilometers to get to the viewing spot. The walk isn’t too hard and only takes 15 to 20 minutes.
There are a number of tour companies from Reykjavik that offer day trips to Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon if you don’t want to drive there yourself. Most of the time, these trips include transportation to and from the canyon as well as a guide who can talk about the geology and history of the canyon. Some tours may also stop at other nearby sights, like the Jökulsárlón glacier lake or the Skaftafell national park.
BEST TIME TO VISIT FJADRARGLJUFUR CANYON
In the spring, fall, and winter, the canyon looks very different. The grass and plants are all brown when there is no snow. The green pictures from summer show a different kind of beauty than this spot. It’s still very pretty. In fact, this is what Iceland really looks like. During the summer, the land is only green for three months. The rest of the year, it is brown and white.
The paths in the slope get slippery and icy when it snows. For your own safety, it’s a good idea to bring climbing crampons or spikes in the middle of winter. You can get them at most gas stations and, in the winter, even some food stores.
Obviously, going into the river in the winter is not a good idea. On the top, thin layers of ice can form, and it’s hard to tell how deep the water is. It’s especially dangerous to fall into the water in the winter because it’s so cold.
Also, only 4X4 cars should leave the Ring Road and drive up the dirt road to the Fjaðrárgljúfur parking lot when it’s snowy or icy.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR FJADRARGLJUFUR CANYON
How to Get to and Stay Near Fjadrargljúfur Canyon
To avoid the big groups of tourists, the best time to visit Fjadrargljufur Canyon is very early in the morning or very late at night. This could mean that you need to stay nearby for the night.
The town of Vik, which is about an hour’s drive from the canyon, is the best place to stay. We do suggest that you book your lodging ahead of time, though, since Icelandic places tend to get full quickly.
Here are a few hotels in Vik:
- The Hotel Vík í Mýrdal is in a great spot, close to both Reynisdrangar and Black Sand Beach.
- The Vík Apartments are 300 m from the Black Sand Beach and have an exercise center, a terrace, and a front desk that is open 24 hours a day.
- This hotel is in Vík, just 5 minutes from the Black Sand Beach. It’s called Hótel Kría. It has a park, a bar, and a restaurant, among other things.
- Guesthouse Carina: This guest house has rooms, a shared lounge, free private parking, and food every day. The Black Sand Beach is only 500 m away and has many things to do, such as golfing and horseback rides.
Attractions near Fjadrargljufur Canyon
- Eldhraun
- Stjórnarfoss
- Systrafoss
- Fagrifoss
- Foss a Sidu
- Kirkjugólf
- Dverghamrar
- Katla Geopark
- Skaftareldahraun
- Scenic Green Lava Walk
- Systrastapi Rock
- Rauðárfoss
- Systravatn
In conclusion,
Everyone who goes to Iceland should see Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. It is truly unforgettable because of its amazing natural beauty and unique geological features. There are many ways to get close to Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. You can enjoy the view from the top, hike down into the canyon, or boat down the river. This is an unforgettable experience.
FAQS on Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Is Fjadrargljufur worth it?
This is Fjadrargljufur, a two-kilometer-long, 100-meter-deep snake covered in lush green plants. The Fjadra River flows through it, so you wouldn’t expect anything else. Fjadrargljufur Canyon has always been a beautiful sight, but its fame has only recently grown tremendously.
How long is the Fjadrargljufur hike?
Length: The main trail along the edge of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is about 2 kilometers long (1.2 miles round trip). Time: This walk takes most people between 1 and 2 hours to finish.
How do I get to Fjadrargljufur canyon?
Find out how to get to Fjadrargljĺfur Canyon. Make a left at the sign for Road No. 206, Holtsvegur, when going from Reykjavík to Skaftafell on the Ring Road (Route 1). Keep going on the dirt road for about 3 km (1.8 mi), and you’ll reach the parking area.Katla Ice Cave
Hi, I’m Linda Milone, a travel enthusiast and safety advocate. I created Safe Travel Quest to share my passion for exploring new destinations while staying safe and informed. When I’m not planning my next adventure, you can find me researching the latest travel trends and tips. Follow safetravelquest along for practical advice and inspiring stories to help you travel with confidence.