13 Feb 5 Tips for Visiting the Most Popular Canyon in Iceland

I will not keep you in suspense any longer. While Iceland is full of beautiful canyons, arguably the most popular one is Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon located near the southeastern coast. When you visit, it will feel as though you stepped inside the world of an animated Disney movie. Keep reading below to learn five different tips to make your visit the best it can possibly be. 

Contents:

1) Check Road Conditions and Open Status

2) Check Water Levels If Hiking Down Into the Canyon

3) Be Sure to Hike to the Last Viewpoint

4) Stay on the Designated Paths

5) Bring Appropriate Hiking Gear

1) Check Road Conditions and Open Status

First off, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is located in southeastern Iceland about 10 minutes off of Ring Road. It is approximately a three and a half hour drive from the capital city of Reykjavík and a one hour drive from the coastal town of Vík. Additionally, there is a small parking lot specifically for the canyon. Just drive to the end of the road 206 Holtsvegur, and you will find the lot. Do you want to hear more good news? There is no fee to visit the canyon.

To learn more, you can also check out my article on the background of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and nearby attractions. Moreover, you can book a south coast Iceland tour if you do not want to have to worry about driving yourself to the canyon.

Road Conditions

As I mentioned previously, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is located at the end of the road 206 Holtsvegur in southeastern Iceland. This is a gravel road, but you should be fine in accessing it with any type of vehicle. That is, as long as the road is clear of snow.

It is no secret Iceland can get hit with some pretty heavy snowstorms, even in the southeastern region. During periods of intense snowfall, they will close the road 206 Holtsvegur to all vehicles. You can thus no longer access Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon at that time. Therefore, check the current road conditions at www.road.is if you are concerned the road might be closed due to snowfall. You do not want to drive all of the way there just to find out the road is closed. 

Otherwise, you can visit Iceland in the summer like I did and not have to worry about snow on your road trip around the country.

Open Status of the Most Popular Canyon in Iceland

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in Iceland is usually open all day, every single day of the year. Great news, right?! However, there is a slight caveat in that the canyon has been closed to all visitors a few times in the past. For example, the Icelandic Environmental Agency closed the canyon for a few months in 2019 during the spring and summer season. You might be wondering why they would close such a beautiful attraction. Unfortunately, the area has experienced vast environmental damage over the years due to increasing amounts of visitors wandering off the marked paths. When you stray off the marked path, you are harming the area’s vegetation. 

That being said, you should double check the canyon is open during the time you plan to visit. Additionally, if it is open and you do visit, please take extra care to obey all signs in the area and to only walk along the designated trails. This way you can ensure the canyon and its vegetation continue to thrive for many years to come. Visitors after you can thus also appreciate its beauty.

Mögárfoss waterfall at the last viewpoint at Fjadrargljufur Canyon

2) Check Water Levels If Hiking Down Into the Canyon

There are a few different ways to experience the fantasy of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in Iceland. While you can follow the designated trail to multiple viewpoints above the canyon, you can also hike down into the canyon. The trail down into the canyon starts from the left of the parking lot at the end of the road 206 Holtsvegur. Once you get down into the canyon, you will have to hike through a bit of the Fjaðrá River.

Therefore, you will want to look up the water level of the Fjaðrá River in Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon before your visit. You want to confirm it is safe to hike down in the canyon. The river usually remains pretty shallow, but it is possible for it to increase in flow and pose a danger to hikers. During time periods of low water levels, all you will need is a good pair of waterproof boots. On the other hand, high water levels mean you would have to wade through the river to a greater extent, possibly up to your waist. They recommend for hikers to not hike down into the canyon when high water levels are present. 

Additionally, be careful if hiking down into the canyon in winter due to slippery or icy conditions.

Fjadrargljufur Canyon looking like an animated Disney movie

3) Be Sure to Hike to the Last Viewpoint

As I mentioned previously, there are a few different ways to experience Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in Iceland. You can (1) hike down into the canyon (2) hike the trail along the canyon’s edge to multiple viewpoints. When we visited, we did not hike down into the canyon but rather along the canyon’s edge to the final viewpoint. While I would love to hike down into the canyon at some point, I am glad we decided to hike the entire trail to the final viewpoint. Why? Well, we enjoyed a beautiful view of the canyon but were also pleasantly surprised to see Mögárfoss waterfall.

General Trail Information

The trail along the edge of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon begins from the parking lot and continues all the way to Mögárfoss waterfall. It is approximately two miles (~3.2 kilometers) long round trip. Additionally, the trail includes 280 feet (~85 meters) of elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the round trip trail in about one hour. The trail is fairly easy to follow, for it is right beside the edge of the canyon. Furthermore, there are multiple trail markers and signs to lead you in the correct direction.

Some of my other favorite hikes in Iceland were at Skógafoss waterfall (aka Fimmvorduhals Pass) and Stuðlagil Canyon.

Hiking to the Last Viewpoint of the Most Popular Canyon in Iceland

The trail along the canyon’s edge includes a few different viewpoints along the way, so you could turn around after the first viewpoint, for example. However, my recommendation is that you hike the entire two miles (~3.2 kilometers) to the final viewpoint. This viewpoint literally hangs over the canyon’s edge (so those with a fear of heights might be a bit nervous). You can thus appreciate all of the beauty of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and feel as though you stepped inside of a Disney movie. Furthermore, the final viewpoint includes a view of Mögárfoss waterfall, which flows down into Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. 

If you are on a search for more waterfalls in Iceland, then be sure to check out this list of the four best waterfalls in Iceland.

Mögárfoss waterfall at the last viewpoint at Fjadrargljufur Canyon

4) Stay on the Designated Paths

As I mentioned earlier, the Icelandic Environmental Agency has closed Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon previously due to environmental harm. The area experienced vast damage to its vegetation due to people wandering off of the marked trails. It thus needed time to recuperate.

That being said, please please please stay on the designated paths at all times. First, this will help keep you safe as wandering too close to the canyon’s edge could result in injury or death if the ground were to give way. Second, this will help to protect the vegetation of the area and allow Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon to remain open to visitors for many years to come.

There will be posted signs to denote the designated paths, so be sure to obey them. Additionally, if there is a posted sign saying the canyon is closed to visitors, please obey it and come back to visit at a later date.

If we all do our part to respect the vegetation of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, the area will continue to thrive and we can continue to visit and appreciate its beauty in the future.

Fjadrargljufur (aka the most popular) canyon in Iceland

5) Bring Appropriate Hiking Gear

What hiking gear you bring mainly depends on what kind of hiking you plan to be doing at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in Iceland. However, there are a few items I would recommend you bring no matter what. Let’s go over those first then move on to more specifics.

You can also check out this general hiking packing list for Iceland. 

General Items to Bring

First, bring a water bottle while visiting the canyon. While Iceland tends to be a bit cooler, you still need to drink plenty of water to remain hydrated. This is especially true if you are out and about all day hiking and doing other adventurous activities. For example, I brought my Yeti water bottle with me everywhere in Iceland. It is a good thing I did, for I drank multiple water bottles per day. Second, bring a waterproof jacket. Iceland’s weather can change at a moment’s notice. You thus do not want to get stuck in a rainstorm without any kind of protection while visiting Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.

Third, wear a nice pair of hiking shoes. Whether you are hiking the canyon trail to the viewpoints or hiking down into the canyon, you will appreciate the support and traction offered by hiking shoes. I finally splurged and bought a nice pair of hiking shoes before my trip to Iceland, and they were so worth it. 

Items to Bring if Hiking Down into the Canyon in Iceland

If you choose to hike the trail that leads down into the canyon itself, you will also want to consider bringing rain boots and hiking poles. The Fjaðrá River flows through the canyon, though it is generally fairly shallow. You can thus get away with only wearing rain boots instead of additional waterproof gear. Furthermore, hiking poles will come in handy as you make the descent into the canyon.

Items to Bring for Snow/Ice Along the Canyon Trail in Iceland

The winter season in Iceland can bring about a variety of hazardous conditions, including snow and/or ice on trails. Please consider the trail conditions at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, no matter whether you are hiking along the canyon’s edge or down into the canyon, if you visit during winter. Do not proceed if the conditions are too extreme or you are not prepared with the correct gear. Safety is of the utmost importance.

To assist with hiking on a snowy or icy trail, you can bring crampons. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of your shoes, and they thus provide the necessary traction to walk safely on snow and ice.

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Prepare for your Iceland road trip: 9 Day Road Trip Itinerary for Iceland.

Know what to pack in advance: Summer Road Trip Packing List for Iceland.