Hljodaklettar (Hljóðaklettar) Cliffs
Hljodaklettar (Hljóðaklettar) Cliffs
The Jokulsa canyon is considered one of the most beautiful hiking areas in Iceland. In the northern section of the canyon are Hljodaklettar ‘Echo Cliffs’, a series of bizarre columnar volcanic plugs on the canyon floor, left standing after a catastrophic flood 3,000 years ago washed away the ash from around their craters.
The area is noted for its honeycombed walls and columnar formations, giving unusual acoustic qualities. There's a circular trail among the troll-like formations but it's quite rugged in places so take care. The reward becomes apparent when you arrive at the mouth of a gaping cave with a spectacular columnar roof.
A little north of the Hljodaklettar plugs you can walk to a striking red and black crater called Raudholar, an excellent viewpoint. Heading south instead, a couple of large volcanic plugs stand sentinel in the river bed – folklore claims that they are petrified giant trolls named Karl and Kerling (man and woman).
Karl is about 60m high, but Kerling is thinner and shorter. They lived in a cave across the river until one morning they were struck by the first rays of the sun, turning them to stone.