Ásbyrgi
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July 2006: Ásbyrgi and points south in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park |
Ásbyrgi is a horseshoe-shaped canyon in the north of Iceland. Geologists tell us the canyon was formed by a giant glacial flood, but the Viking legend is more interesting - that the god Odin's horse touched the ground there. The canyon shelters a small forest within its walls. |
There is a small pond at the "head" of the canyon. Above the pond the towering cliffs make a great nesting area for a variety of seabirds. The ocean is about 10 miles to the north. |
Another view of the pond at the head of the canyon. |
South of Ásbyrgi, the jumbled rock formation of Hljóðarklettar is a fascinating place to explore. Giant heaps and folds of columnar basalt make interesting natural sculptures. |
This cave was one of the many intriguing features at Hljóðarklettar. |
Where is it? Ásbyrgi canyon is located in the north part of Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, in the north part of Iceland. A visitor's center is located just off the main road. A drivable (by most passenger cars) dirt road leads south to Hljóðarklettar. South of Hljóðarklettar, the road is 4wd only. |
Before you go... The campground at Ásbyrgi is decent. If you stay there it's definitely worth doing a long hike along the canyon rim, then south to where the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum carves an impressive canyon through the national park. |
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