Directions to Ásbyrgi Canyon
Ásbyrgi canyon is located in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. Continue north on Road 862 and turn right on Road 85. Ásbyrgi is about 15 km from Hljóðaklettar.
Photo by: momo
The Ásbyrgi (“the gods’ fortress”) canyon is 3.5 km long and approximately 1.1 km wide. The steep walls are about 100 metres high. In the middle of the canyon, you can climb the 25-metre-high Eyjan rock (“the Island”), where you will have a spectacular view of the surroundings.
When you visit the canyon, you will understand immediately why the Elves have chosen Ásbyrgi as their capital. According to legend, the gap is the hoof print of the horse of the Viking god Odin, which stumbled here.
Keep about 1.5 hours in mind for the visit to the canyon. Start your walk from the visitors centre, “Gljúfrastofa”, open 1 May - 30 September.