Map and Hiking Trails: Jökulsárgljúfur
Map and Hiking Trails: Jökulsárgljúfur
Jökulsárgljúfur
85
% ³
À Veitur
U %
Brúnseyri
%
Ásbyrgi Ástjörn
Eyjasel %
Austurkli
Gljúfrastofa Byrgi Deiglur
Rani
%
Rani
Á5
Ve
!
Ástjörn Á6
stu
!
30.8cm hæð
rkli
!
f
G
f
Buskar
Eyjad
Litla-Byrgi Brennihnúta
Æ Ás II
%
alur
% Meiðavellir % Ás I
rgil
il
Járnhryggur
Dimmag
Jökulsá Á2
Tófuklif
Stekkja
!
Mýri
hóll
Jöku l sá á Fjöl l u m a nd i ts wate rf a l l s Me g af l o o d s cre ate d Jö ku l s á rg l jú f u r Geit- Á6
!
Ármótaeyri
Hæðir Kofahæð
egis
hellrar
yrgi
Flowing from Vatnajökull glacier, the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum Jökulsárgljúfur is one of the deepest and most breath-taking
empties into Öxarfjörður bay. Besides being Iceland’s canyons in Iceland: 25 km long, 500 m wide and in many Á7 Skorur
Hád
!
Austurb
second-longest river (206 km), its catchment area is the places 100–120 m deep. The canyon and its surroundings
Eyjan
i
Litluveitur
Vesturbyrg
largest of all. North of Vatnajökull, the river crosses a were cut into the bedrock through a sequence of cataclysmic
barren, gently sloping plateau, but the current gains speed glacial floods, after the end of the last glaciation. The last Meiðavallaskógur Á8
!
Ásgil
Áshöfði
Map and
towards the edge of the highlands, and the river cascades such flood probably occurred some 2,000 year ago, but the
Rani
!
down the canyon (gljúfur), which is named after the river: canyon terrain still clearly shows its erosive force. Á9
!
Litlimór H
Jökulsárgljúfur. Within the canyon is a unique series of 861 áh
öf
ða
lum
hiking trails
waterfalls: Selfoss, Dettifoss, Hafragilsfoss and Réttarfoss. Vo l c a n i c ac tivi ty Stóruveitur sk
öl
á Fj
Due to the combination of discharge and vertical drop, or
About 8,000–9,000 years ago, two volcanic fissures erupted a
ulsá
Dettifoss is commonly regarded as the most powerful
Jök
in Jökulsárgljúfur. One crosses the mouth of Vesturdalur 80 (Gilsbakki)
waterfall in Europe.
Nafamór
!
armur
river has cut through the feeder channel of a volcanic crater, Á5
Borgir
!
The canyonlands of Jökulsárgljúfur offer visitors the Jökulsárgljúfur is full of contrasts. Bleak wasteland just north of Dettifoss waterfall at Hafragil. This opened a Á3
!
(Geithús)
perfect opportunity to experience and enjoy unique surrounds Dettifoss. Some marshy spots can be found at unique cross-sectional view of the eruption conduit in the !
y r g is b
nature, first protected as a national park in 1973. Even Hafragil and Hólmatungur. The established birch (Betula canyon’s east wall, best viewed from the west rim of the
Ásbyrgi
r
Nafi
though this part of the National Park is relatively modest in pubescens) woods of Ásbyrgi, with an unusually high canyon. Dalir
size, it is advisable to allow more than one day to explore density of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), are delightful and Geithöfði Höllin Urðir
Ásb
it, and the best experience is gained by exploring on foot. provide a home to many plant species, including the Both fissures produced broad lava fields; however, the
Lamb
noteworthy common juniper (Juniperus communis). glacial megafloods washed large parts away, leaving Litla-Byrgi
Ásbyrgi, Dettifoss, Vesturdalur, Hljóðaklettar and isolated crags behind, such as Vígabjarg in Forvöð, Eyjan
Á4
!
Á8
Inside Ásbyrgi are patches of larch, spruce and pine,
!
hagi
planted by the Iceland Forest Service prior to the national in Vesturdalur and Eyjan in Ásbyrgi, all remains of former Vestara-Land %
visit. Each offers short to medium distance hiking options. lava flows. Stallar
park’s establishment. Sidebells wintergreen (Orthilia
There is also a trail connecting Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi, Á9 Hólar Stalla- %
Sjónþúfa (Birkiland)
!
Bæjar
along with a visitor centre which has information about Æ
the area and its hiking trails. Information can also be
found on the National Park website: www.vjp.is
28.8cm breidd
Á1
gil
!
Kla Sumsaholt
Gloppu-
Rowan Sund mór
Sorbus aucuparia
Svínadalsgötur Gloppa
örg
Á8
!
Á9
Meladokk
!
Stórimór
Kú
Skógarhólar
ah
Landsbj
va
m
m
ur
www.vjp.is Stekkjarvíðrar
1:17,500 Móhellur !
(Hvammssel)
Publisher: Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður/Vatnajökull National Park | Photos: Guðmundur Ögmundsson and Stefanía Ragnarsdóttir | Ragnar Th
Sigurðsson Forsíðumynd/Cover photo: Fossvogur in Hafragilsundirlendi | Design: PORT Design | Illustrations: Jón Baldur Hlíðberg | 0 250 500 750 1000 m Stórhæð Kaffihellir
Map: Fixlanda ehf./Hans H. Hansen | Paper: Sappi Magno Satin | Printing: Pixel 06_24
Rauðhólar
!
424
A
Fe
Sm
j
! (Vaðkot)
A
ör
Skiphóll
h
!
U
ól
r
(Ferjubakki) Hi k i ng ro u te sSauðafellsbrík
rjuhra
!
sá
ða
A
r
(Lyngás)
un
85
fe
Jökulsárgljúfur is ideal for walking, and indeed cannot be
ll
Kúviðarhæðir
Vað
Ássandur fully explored except on foot. A number of trails have been
kots
66°2'
á
marked through the canyon from Ásbyrgi south to Selfoss.
M
ýr
!
(Áveggur) ð i their lengths in
e i routes,
ar
Ferjubakka-
To help hikersu h suitable
b
Hermannshóll T ukilometres
n gare choose
given below, along with colours indicating
kinn
rek
path difficulty, in accordance with the ratings explained
ku
85
r
% Brúnseyri on the map.
% Veitur %
66°2'
Mörk% Ástjörn Tungumýrar
% Ásbyrgi brekka
Gljúfrastofa % !
Á5 BLUE:
Byrgi !
Hrauna !
%
Ástjörn Á6 Háuhraun Stórás !
Tröllkonuhæð Easy For the most part good trails with a smooth surface,
Ingveldarstaðir ! (Hæringsstaðir) G 136 % Bjarnastaðir
! Buskar 237
without any significant obstructions or difficulties.
il
Eyjad
Æ Litla-Byrgi
%
862 Meiðavellir % Ás II %
rgil
Sk
alur
Tóveggur % Skorur
k
!
Ás I
jól
Á2
ok
Routes and trails which may include lengthy rough,
r
Tófuklif Mýri RED:
!
d
A
Dimmag
A % ! Á6
!
i
bre
pa
!
difficult sections, and obstructions such
435as unbridged
alu
(Hlíðargerði) (Ingjaldsstaðir) Á7 A Moderate
k
d
Stekkja
yrgi
jú
(Undirveggur) !A
D
!
brooks or small rivers, loose gravel, steep sections,
ka
Áshöfði
Eyjan
Land
Á8
un
!
a
138
Ásgil
l
!
Á9 and so forth.
Rani
Hr
861
sárg
!
il
Austurb
(Hraungerði) Routes and trails involving obstacles and difficulties,
Vesturbyrg
Meiðavallaskógur lum BLACK:
!
80 (Gilsbakki) jöl
F
lufjal
armur
Leiti Difficult such as sizeable unbridged rivers, steep slopes and
ik
áá
Á5 Borgir
!
Á3 (Geithús) Bríkur
! inexperienced or in poor conditions.
Hjalli
n
Landsá
Ásbyrgi Geithöfði
Þríst
Urðir
L
(Austara-Land) GREEN: These trails are over 75 cm in width and have paving,
Ásbyrgisb
Litla-Byrgi %
!
Jökuls
Á4 !
Á8 % (Sigtún)
Leirtjörn Stallar Vestara-Land
%
Limited wooden platforms or compacted gravel, so that there
hrau
66°0'
! %
ambh
Sjónþúfa Á9 mobility is no loose gravel lying on the surface.
Tun
(Birkiland)
agi
kka
gu
Einbúi
B
Þrístikluvatn
Æ As seen above, green indicates the easiest trails and
!
núp
Á1 Bæjar-
!
black the most difficult ones. For more information on
Bæjar
38 skriður Leirtjörn
nnsta
Botnstjörn
sás
T
Sumsaholt Gloppu-
gil
Klappir any routes, you are welcome to seek information at the
66°0'
rg
Kú
mór
Ski
o
ah
Ásbyrgi Visitor Centre.
ung
!
Gloppa Flesjur
!
Á8
va
Á9 Meladokk
m
un
bjö
m
s
ur
!
ór
469
úpu
Móhellur Stekkjarvíðrar
d
r
r
Stórhæð (Hvammssel) Kaffihellir Tra i l s at Ásby rg i
Lamba-
llam
Sund ar Á1 Botnstjörn pond 1 km/0.5 hr. Ásbyrgi parking – Botnstjörn pond –
Græ
Mel hvammur
Lan
D
va
nul
Húsmór viewpoint – return. Points of interest: Vegetation, birds and view of pond.
Hryggir
æ
!
d
al
g
L1 Rön 4.5 km/1.5-2 hrs. Campground – Eyjan – camp-
Beiti
Á2 Eyjan hill in Ásbyrgi
kur
Langihjalli
fj
Mýrar ground. Points of interest: Beautiful view of Ásbyrgi. Enjoyable evening stroll.
al
!
Á9 (Sel) Ásbyrgi parking. Points of interest: Forest history. Vegetation and birds.
a
!
Á s h e i ð i
T
Vik Á5 Áshöfði (around Áshöfði hill) 7.5 km/2-3 hrs. Visitor Centre –
ud
Kvíar Ytri-Bunga
Be
Ástjörn lake – Gilsbakki – Ás – Visitor Centre. Points of interest: Varying
65°58'
g !
254
i
alu
di jör
r
ti
ir le ú tab
nd Hr Sjónþúfa Á6 Áshöfði (across Áshöfði hill) 7 km/2-3 hrs. Visitor Centre – Ástjörn
f su
ve
862
á
kli
l
ar lake – Áshöfði – Ástjörn lake – Visitor Centre. Points of interest: Birds at
Be
!
Lambafellsmór Fjallás 428
K j a l a r á s
aut
!
(Grænur) 324 Ástjörn lake, ponds, ravines. View from Áshöfði.
i tiv
lir
Br j ö rg
!
hlíð
b Selhnútur
a
Grænumýri
s
65°58'
ni (Klifshagasel)! lla
(Rauðhólasel) Á7 Klappir 9 km/2.5-3 hrs. Visitor Centre – Klappir – return. Points of
r
!
e Syðri-Bunga há
mála
íð
Klappa- ls interest: Excellent view of Ásbyrgi canyon. Unique potholes at Klappir.
s
irlendi
Hánibba undirlendi
lahl
ur Yt Á8 Kúahvammur 12 km/4-5 hrs. Visitor Centre – Klappir – Kúa-
Dag
ólar
a dal ra
rg -G
!
244
hvammur – Visitor Centre. Points of interest: Excellent view over the Ásbyrgi
tmá
sá
Bja il
depression and Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. Birds and diverse vegetation.
Nát
Lambafell
agil
ur
Á9 Kvíar 17 km/6-7 hrs. Visitor Centre – Klappir – Kvíar – Kúahvammur
Skógarh
Val
Rauðhólaund
– Visitor Centre. Points of interest: Indications of catastrophic floods in Kvíar.
lar
ur
Sy
öfði
skóg
(Árholt) !
ðr
ðhó
a
rygg
-G
Grænás
Hallh
il
öfða
Skógarbjörg
ih
Tra i l s at Ve stu rda l u r
ls
Rau
!
!
há
246 V4 Note: Due to the fragile nature it is obligatory to follow marked trails in
is
Hallh
Lang
Hljóðaklettar and Rauðhólar.
tafletir
ttar
tæð
ði
308 V1 Eyjan hill in Vesturdalur 1 km/0.5 hr. Campground (by the more easterly
ð
Hesta-
s
Æ Smyrilsrauf WC) – Eyjan – campground. Points of interest: Viewpoints, ponds and birds.
kle
torfur
stæ
!
249
al d
Vatnshæðir
ls
ld
ahlí
V2 Hljóðaklettar (Echo Rocks) 1,2 km/0.5 hr. Hljóðaklettar parking –
Ytri-Álf
!
65°56'
g
Langavatnshöfði Bægisstaðamýri 368
stja
Hljóða
V3
ði
Hafursstaða-
Lan
Höfðaflötur river and unique geological phenomena; basalt columns and honeycomb
!
kup
Tröllið t
!
h ol 204 vatn weathering.
Bis
ja (Bægisstaðir)
Vesta
Vesturdalsá
Kornmelur
!
lar
dstæ
65°56'
V1 Örninn ! 467
kk
! (Bjarmaland) river and unique geological phenomena; basalt columns, cliffs, honeycomb
ri-T
Hallar- V5
alur
do
garme
ta
ta
Tröllahellir
Hrú
dalur
lar
Aus
Stuttid
taás
urhó
Kerlin
Eyjan Karl og Náttmálaklettur b Hljóðaklettar – Rauðhólar – parking. Points of interest: Extraordinary view
Ytri-Ásabrún Tim
Kerling
lftaflet
Kí
ll and colourful scoria. The first part of the trail is the same as in Route V-3.
Kollalda
ir
Lómatjörn Melataglshæð
Vestur
V5 Karl og Kerling cliffs 2 km/1 hr. Hljóðaklettar parking – Karl og
Álftafla
Rauf
Djúpa- Mosar (Gömlu-Hafursstaðir)
! Kerling viewpoint – return. Points of interest: View over Jökulsá river and
r
Syðri-Á
alu
Kerlingar
id
Álftatjörn V6 Svínadalur (deserted farm) 7 km/2-3 hrs. Hljóðaklettar parking
Lamba- Kallbjarg
ór
Mjó
Stefaníu-hvammur
ls
!
Skuggaklettur tjarnir !
358 parking. Points of interest: History, ruins of varying ages, Jökulsá river and
V6
rg
Horn
kum
(Svínadalur) !
Hamarsalda geological phenomena.
bj
263
fjall
!
lur
lu
!
yl
rek
267
M
Skógarkinns-
tans
Fornihvammur 864
f
arda
a
hæð
ígab
ð
Tra i l s at H ó l m atu ngu r
65°54'
Urð
V
Mi
Eyjarás Víðra- Gloppa Sauðafellsstykki H1 Hólmatungur 4.5 km/1.5-2 hrs. Hólmatungur parking – Hólmá
!
385
Sauðafellshá
S
Mýri sandur river and falls – Jökulsá – parking. Points of interest: Magnificent variety
Leiruholt Sta , Sta
úln
r a llar llá Hv of vegetation, pretty waterfalls and rivers.
Langahlíð
Austurvíðrar an
ns Sok Kvensöðull
!
rfu Þúfub ka
mó
355 Súlur jar g tó H2 Katlar 2 km/0.5-1 hr. Hólmatungur parking – Katlar – return.
r
il
to Einbúa- ð br
ot
sás
65°54'
ba tjarnir arg F Points of interest: Vígabjarg (cliff-sided rock), Jökulsá river in a narrow
m Þ úfubj o gorge, waterfalls, brooks and springs.
La
Hó
r
rv
!
280
r Grjótg
ku
sgil ð
t
m ól
! (Fornasel)
Brand
al
a má
un
Þórunnar-
Sú
a
Vígabjarg Grettisbæli
gur
íg a
búðir H2 (Vígabjargsfoss)
Urriðafossar
br e
!
M
gil
Sjónarhóll H1
Ka
!
il
tla
Reyð
g
r
u
kka
Gilj
oss
bjarg
!
are243 D1 Dettifoss 1.5 km/0.5-1 496hr. Dettifoss parking – Dettifoss – return.
nd
gs
F
á
itur
!
gil
Sa
Sauðafell
421
-
Þverhæð
!
Æ 403 D2 Dettifoss Loop 2.5 km/1 hr. Dettifoss parking – Dettifoss – Selfoss –
Æ parking. Points of interest: Europe’s most powerful waterfall; upper end
daries
Austara-Sand
jörfask
887
Ytr
arð
i-S
Langabja
Ill
65°52'
ei
Hnausar
rg
gu
r Hafragil lowland – Sanddalur – Dettifoss – Dettifoss parking.
usk
Syðra- Ysti-
ur
Þórunnarfjall Randarhóll Smjörbítill Points of interest: Springs, Jökulsá river, Hafragil waterfall and
the canyon.
S
r
Mófell
Syð
ví
Mörk Vatnajökulsþ
L2 Stallar
n
65°52'
rh
-Sv
!
Hrúthólar L3
e
r
ad
da
!
gu 387
a
n
r
Lo nga er tra i l s
l
Tvídyrahellir L1 Ásbyrgi
ld – Vesturdalur 12 km/3-4 hrs. Visitor Centre – Klappir – Kvíar –
Ra
ið
á
e
u
Syðsti-
alu
Gloppa
!
Hafragils- Æ
rfur
ahlíð
undirlendi
to
Fossvogur Hafragilsfoss
Fo
Miðhlíð
862
ss
L2
Lang
Legend Skýringar
s
un
864
!
d
352
kir
irl
Grjótháls
65°50'
di
!
Hafragils
530
!
D3 Information, indoors Upplýsingar innanhúss
gil
Stórulæ
s
!
L3 Viewpoint Útsýni
Fosshraun
Hafra
!
422
dalur
!
Foss- Æ Dry toilet Þurrsalerni 408
hvammur
Rest area Áningarstaður
Sand
Dettifoss
ó
Ford Vað
Þjó
!
886 Æ D1
ðv e
Parking Bílastæði
Hraundalur
!
D2
Camper lavatory disposal Losun ferðasalerna
H
gur
s
þjóðgarð Golf G
! Golf
Dettif
ö rk V a tnajökuls daries
gur 1 / Road No.1
M n Selfoss
Þjóðvegur
ossg
65°48'
!
425 Gravel road Vegur, malarborinn
1 / Road
Eilífur Ytra-
!
Mörk náttúruvættis Riding trail Reiðleið
No.1
697
!
372 Natural Monument
Norðmelsfjall !
Trail, for those
391with limited mobility Gönguleið fyrir hreyfihamlaða
Marked trail, easy Merkt gönguleið, auðveld
65°48'