Asbyrgi

Asbyrgi is one of the most striking geological formations in Iceland. This enormous horseshoe-shaped canyon, roughly 3.5 kilometres long and over 1 kilometre wide, sits in the northern section of Vatnajokull National Park. Sheer basalt cliffs rise up to 100 metres on all sides, sheltering a remarkably lush woodland on the canyon floor that stands in stark contrast to the barren highlands surrounding it.

Geology and Formation

The canyon owes its existence to catastrophic glacial outburst floods, known in Icelandic as jokulhlaups, from the river Jokulsa a Fjollum. The first major flood tore through here 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, carving the initial depression into young lava flows from the volcanic crater Storaviti. A second, even larger flood around 3,000 years ago shaped the canyon into its present form. The floodwaters divided around a central mass of rock, eroding both sides and leaving behind Eyjan ("The Island"), a 25-metre-high rock formation that splits the canyon almost in half along its length. The river has since shifted its course about 2 kilometres to the east, leaving Asbyrgi as a dry, sheltered valley.

Norse Mythology

According to Norse legend, Asbyrgi was created when Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of the god Odin, touched one of its hooves to the ground, leaving a colossal hoofprint in the earth. The name Asbyrgi translates roughly to "Shelter of the Gods." Looking at the canyon from above, the horseshoe shape does resemble a giant hoofprint, and it is easy to understand why the early settlers reached for mythology to explain what they saw.

The Woodland

The canyon floor supports one of the largest birch woodlands remaining in Iceland. Protected from wind and grazing by the towering cliffs, birch and willow trees grow to unusual heights here, alongside planted spruce, larch, and pine. Wildflowers carpet the ground in summer. The dense vegetation supports a rich birdlife, including ravens, Northern fulmars, Eurasian wigeons, and various migratory species that nest around Botnstjorn, the small pond tucked against the back wall of the canyon.

Hiking and Exploring

Asbyrgi offers trails suited to nearly every visitor. The walk to Botnstjorn follows the eastern wall through the woodland and is flat and straightforward. For better views, the Klappir trail climbs to the canyon rim, where you can look down into the green valley from the top of the basalt cliffs. More ambitious hikers can tackle the Kviar Circle, a full-day 17-kilometre loop through the surrounding landscape. A short but steep climb to the top of Eyjan rewards you with a view straight down the length of the canyon.

Visitor Information

The Gljufrastofa Visitor Centre, located at the entrance to the canyon, is staffed by park rangers during the summer months from June to September. They can advise on trail conditions, wildlife sightings, and the geology of the area. Asbyrgi also serves as the northern trailhead for the famous multi-day hike through Jokulsargljufur canyon to Dettifoss, one of Europe's most powerful waterfalls, located roughly 30 kilometres to the south.