Holmatungur (Hólmátungur) Hike
Holmatungur (Hólmátungur) Hike
Duration: 2 hours. Difficulty: easy circular walk on mostly level paths with about 50m ascent and descent. Interest: waterfalls, birch forest, rugged canyon scenery. Start/End: from the Dettifoss to Asbyrgi road on the west bank of the river, take the turning down a dirt track to Holmatungur. Car park (toilet).
From the car park, take the main trail descending towards the river. Crossing over a small stream, take the path to the left, which follows the stream through birch scrub. You may see Harlequin Ducks here – this is a species that favours fast-flowing streams. After about 30 minutes the path joins a broader track and you should turn left onto this track, crossing the river Holma on a wooden bridge. Once over this pristine, clear river follow its north bank downstream through a beautiful birch forest for about 100m until you come to the lovely Holmafossar waterfall.
If you have time you can continue along the path in a northerly direction past a couple of smaller waterfalls. You will need to backtrack now to the wooden bridge you crossed earlier. Cross over it again and take the broad track to the left which now follows the glacial Jökulsá River in a southerly direction for about 30 minutes.
You will eventually come to a side path to the left to Katlar, where the Jokulsa is forging a new course through a very narrow channel. There was once a waterfall here but it is now dry. This side path, which is a little more challenging, does a little loop but you will need to return to the main path to return to your vehicle.