Fjadrargljufur (Fjaðrargljúfur) canyon
Fjadrargljufur (Fjaðrargljúfur) canyon
Don’t miss the stunning Fjadrargljufur canyon (yes it is difficult to even for Icelanders to pronounce). About 100m deep and 2km long, this buttressed canyon is best photographed in the morning.
A path follows the east rim of the canyon with numerous side paths to the buttresses, from where you can peer into its depths (just be careful not to go too close to the edge). Allow about 1.5 hours at an easy pace to walk up and back.
You can also look up the canyon from the bridge, near the car park and toilets. The canyon dates back to the end of the Ice Age, 9-10,000 years ago when a retreating glacier formed a lagoon and flash floods from it carved the soft palagonite tuff rock into the gorge we see today.
To get there, take the Laki road and after 3km instead of bearing right for Laki, carry straight on to reach the car park. The road may not be passable in winter - please enquire locally.