Jökulsárgljúfur

An eastern view of Dettifoss with a person standing next to it for scale

Jökulsárgljúfur makes up a part of Vatnajökull National Park in north Iceland. It is a river canyon, about 25 km long, 500 m wide in many places or over 100 metres deep. Previously a national park of their own, today, Jökulsárgljúfur and the area around it is a part of the Vatnajökull National Park.

Further inland, along the glacial river that once shaped Ásbyrgi are the canyons through which the mighty river still flows. Among the sights in the area is Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Iceland.

Understand

The region is accessible year-round, weather and road conditions permitting.

There are good toilet facilities at the major destinations.

• 1 Gljúfrastofa Visitor Centre, Ásbyrgi, ☏ +354 470 7100, asbyrgi@vjp.is. Nov-15 Dec & 16 Jan-Apr: M-F 11:00-15:00; May Sep Oct: daily 10:00-16:00; Jun-Aug: daily 09:00-17:00. Tourist information centre with an exhibit about the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon area and a small souvenir shop with emphasis on books and local handicraft. It is at the mouth of the Ásbyrgi canyon and the majority of Ásbyrgi’s and Jökulsárgljúfur’s trailheads. It has toilets that are accessible during opening hours. There's a vehicle charging station in the parking lot. (updated Apr 2024)
• vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is (official tourism website)

Landscape

The area is of interest because of its chaotic canyon and volcanic mountains. Eight thousand years ago, volcanic fissures of the Askja volcanic system erupted directly underneath the river and glacial ice. This caused explosions and chaotic flooding.

The centre of the area is Vesturdalur with Hljóðaklettar (rock of echoes). Rauðhólar (red mountain) is of interest because of its special colouring due to iron oxidations.

Get in

Jökulsárgljúfur is accessible by Route 85 from Kelduhverfi or by Route 1 in Mývatnsöræfi. Dettifossvegur (road number 862) lies to the west of Jökulsá á Fjöllum.

See

• 1 Ásbyrgi, Road 861. One of the two main highlights of the park features a very unusual and large cliff formation 60 km east of Húsavík, which is said to be the hoofmark of Odin's horse.  
• 2 Dettifoss, Dettifossvegur vestri (west side), Dettifossvegur eystri (east side) (parking available at both sides of the waterfall). Supposedly Europe's most powerful waterfall. With a drop of 44 m and a width of 100 m, it has the second-largest volume discharge in Iceland, only behind Urriðafoss (which is much smaller).  
• 3 Hafragilsfoss. 2.5 kilometres further up the river than Dettifoss, this waterfall is 27 metres high and about 91 metres wide. Access is via a lookout point from the car park (unsealed) or via a trail that allows you to get much closer to the waterfall from Dettifoss (car park is sealed). (updated Mar 2024)
• 4 Réttarfoss, Dettifossvegur (via road 862). A 12-metre-high waterfall further upstream. Easily accessible via a short walk from the car park. (updated Mar 2024)

Eat

A privately operated restaurant, supermarket and seasonal tourism services are found at Ásbyrgi.

Sleep

Camping

There is a large campsite in Ásbyrgi for 2500 kr/person that opens late May to 1st September and gets very busy during the summer months. No tents for hire. The campsite has facilities for tents, caravans and mobile homes. Call ☏ +354 470 7100 for information.

There's also a campsite in Vesturdalur that is only intended for tents and there is neither electricity nor hot water.

Stay safe

The region is excellent for hiking, but outside of the summer months, conditions can change rapidly. Check on weather conditions before visiting.