13 Mar Almannagjá Trail in Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park was the first stop on my boyfriend and I’s itinerary after arrival at the airport in Iceland. We first went snorkeling in the Silfra fissure. Then we saw Öxarárfoss waterfall. Lastly, we walked the Almannagjá trail in Thingvellir National Park. Walking between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates – what a way to start our Iceland adventure! 

If you want all of the details of my Iceland trip, check out my Iceland road trip itinerary. Additionally, take away the stress of packing with an Iceland road trip packing list.

Contents:

1) Location of Almannagjá

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

3) The Best Time to Visit

4) Quick Facts

5) Background of Thingvellir National Park

6) Background of Almannagjá

7) Almannagjá Trail Information

8) Other Attractions in Thingvellir National Park

1) Location of Almannagjá

The Almannagjá trail leads visitors through the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It is located within Thingvellir National Park in Iceland.

For reference, it is approximately an hour drive from Reykjavík or a one hour and 15 minute drive from Keflavík Airport. You can thus plan on visiting even if you are only in Iceland for the weekend. For example, you can plan a day trip to explore all of the attractions within the Golden Circle, including Almannagjá. If you do, I recommend you also add Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs to your itinerary. 

Parking

There is a small parking fee of 1,000 ISK for the national park. However, one parking ticket lasts for the entire day. Additionally, it covers all parking lots within the park borders. You can purchase a ticket at one of the kiosks in the lot. 

You can choose to park at Öxarárfoss Parking if you would like to first visit the waterfall and then continue on to the path between the tectonic plates. 

Otherwise, park at Þingvellir Parking P1 to begin the Almannagjá trail. The trail is approximately 0.6 miles (~one kilometer) one-way. It will end near the Þingvellir Parking P2 lot. Then just return along the same route to arrive back at the P1 parking lot.

Nearby Lodging

For nearby lodging, check out the best hotels in the Golden Circle or my personal recommendation: Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast. On the other hand, why not turn your trip to Iceland into a romantic getaway as you stay at one or more of the most romantic hotels in Iceland?

Stream leading past Öxarárfoss

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

First, Thingvellir National Park, which includes the Almannagjá waterfall, is open all day, every day. You are thus welcome to walk on the pathway between the tectonic plates at any time, whether that be 2:00pm or 2:00am. However, I recommend visiting during daylight hours so you can see your surroundings a bit better, for you will have the tectonic plates on either side of you. 

Entrance Fee

Second, there is no entrance fee for the national park nor is there a specific fee for Almannagjá. However, if you park at the Þingvellir Parking P1 lot or another one of the lots within the national park, you will have to pay the 1,000 ISK parking fee as mentioned above. 

Therefore, while there is no entrance fee, there is a small parking fee. In my opinion, the small parking fee is well worth it to walk on the pathway between the tectonic plates and to see the other attractions the park has to offer. 

Site of former Icelandic parliament at Thingvellir National Park

3) The Best Time to Visit Almannagjá

There is truly no bad time to walk along the Almannagjá trail or to visit Thingvellir National Park in general. The trail is quite beautiful in all seasons. In the summer, you will enjoy warmer temperatures as well as a clean pathway. On the other hand in the winter, you will see it when it looks like a winter wonderland but also might have to deal with an icy trail.

Estimated Visit Time

Additionally, I would recommend you plan for 30 minutes to one and a half hours to walk the Almannagjá trail. You can first check out Öxarárfoss waterfall and then continue on to the trail between the tectonic plates. Feel free to walk along the path as long as you like. Additionally, you can explore other paths within the park. 

Some of the many trails weaving through Thingvellir National Park

4) Quick Facts

1. Almannagjá trail is located within Thingvellir National Park, which is within the Golden Circle in Iceland. 

2. There are no visiting hour restrictions nor is there an entrance fee.

3. Almannagjá trail is the pathway between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You can thus walk between the tectonic plates while walking on this pathway. 

4. The trail is approximately 1.2 miles (~1.9 kilometers) round trip.

Looking out to the water from Thingvellir National Park

5) Background of Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park is located on top of the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. While visiting, you can actually walk on a pathway or even snorkel between the two tectonic plates. Furthermore, the rift between the tectonic plates widens every single year by approximately 0.8 inches (~two centimeters). Earthquakes in the area tend to generate this movement, though they cannot generally be felt by visitors. 

Additionally, Thingvellir National Park used to be the meeting place of the Old Icelandic parliament. The park even received its name from this. “Þing” in Old Icelandic translates to assembly, and “völlur” translates to “field”. “Thingvellir” (or Þingvellir) thus translates to “assembly place”. 

Another trail in Thingvellir National Park

6) Background of Almannagjá 

Almannagjá is the name of the pathway that runs through the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, known as the Mid-Atlantic rift. The Almannagjá trail in Thingvellir thus leads visitors through the rift. At various points the continents are visible as cliffs on either side of the pathway. 

If you would prefer to not have to plan logistics around visiting Almannagjá, then book an Iceland Golden Circle tour. The vast majority of tours include a stop at Thingvellir National Park. You can then walk around the park and make time to visit Almannagjá.

Formation of the Rift

Now, how did the rift form? Over the years, the tectonic plates drifted apart from each other. As they drifted apart, the North American plate struggled to support the weight on the edge. Then an earthquake occurred and formed the rift. The tectonic plates continue to drift apart every year, though very slowly. Visitors have the chance to walk along the pathway through the tectonic plates at this location.

History of Almannagjá

For a bit of history, Almannagjá was the site of the Icelandic parliament many years ago. An Iceland flag now marks that spot they believe speakers stood to address the crowds. They would discuss all kinds of important matters, for instance religion, clan representation, authority, etc. Additionally, the decision to declare Christianity as the national religion was made here. 

Looking into the park from the Almannagjá trail

7) Almannagjá Trail Information

Where are all of the Game of Thrones fans at? They should recognize this location as the pathway leading to The Bloody Gate. Another location in Iceland that was featured in Game of Thrones is Kirkjufellsfoss and Mt. Kirkjufell. 

The Almannagjá Trail is approximately 1.2 miles (~1.9 kilometers) round trip. Moreover, the trail is well-maintained with only a slight incline.

Park at Þingvellir Parking P1 to begin the trail between the tectonic plates. There will be signs directing visitors in the correct direction, so do not worry about getting lost. The trail is approximately 0.6 miles (~one kilometer) one-way. It will end near the Þingvellir Parking P2 lot.

For more information, visit the Hakið Visitor Center.

Walking along the Almannagjá trail through the rift

8) Other Attractions in Thingvellir National Park

The pathway between the tectonic plates is not the only attraction in Thingvellir National Park. Be sure to research tour options for Silfra snorkeling. Additionally, plan out some extra time to walk to Öxarárfoss waterfall.

Silfra Snorkeling 

• Estimated visit time: 2 to 3 hours 
• Attraction: snorkeling between tectonic plates

For those looking for another way to experience the rift between tectonic plates, include Silfra snorkeling on the itinerary. Similar to Almannagjá, the Silfra fissure formed as the tectonic plates drifted apart over the years. The fissure is now filled with some of the clearest water on earth. Divers can thus see depths up to 328 feet (~100 meters) away. What is the best part about the Silfra fissure? Tour companies offer snorkeling and scuba diving tours! We booked a snorkeling excursion and spent an hour swimming through the Silfra fissure. Moreover, snorkeling in the Silfra fissure was one of my top 10 favorite activities in Iceland. 

For more information: Silfra Snorkeling in Iceland: Everything to Know.

Snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park

Öxarárfoss 

• Estimated visit time: 30 minutes 
• Attraction: waterfall

Öxarárfoss waterfall is located just beyond Almannagjá. Visitors can therefore simply follow signs along the path for directions. The falls are approximately 44 feet (~13 meters) tall. Many years ago when the Icelandic parliament met in the area, there was a need for better access to drinking water. They thus redirected the river and consequently Öxarárfoss to provide that access for the assemblies. 

For more information: Öxarárfoss Waterfall in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland.

View of Öxarárfoss waterfall

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Check out other waterfalls in Iceland: The 4 Best Waterfalls in Iceland.

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