Ásbyrgi
A horseshoe-shaped canyon with cliffs nearly 100 m high. According to legend, it was formed by the hoofprints of Sleipnir, Odin's eight-legged horse.
Ásbyrgi canyon is about 3.5 km long and 1 km wide. Basalt cliffs rise up to 100 m on either side. In the middle is an island-like rock hill called Eyjan, and the canyon floor is covered in birch forest, ending at a small lake, Botnstjörn. Geologically, it was carved by glacial floods, and it belongs to the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon area in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park. There is a parking lot at the visitor center. The trail along the canyon floor to the lake is about 1 km, and climbing Eyjan for views takes 1 to 2 hours. Entry is free. The canyon is about 65 km from Húsavík and is often combined with Dettifoss to form the 'Diamond Circle.'
Opening hours
Open all day; visitor center in summer 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Hljóðaklettar
- Hafragilsfoss
- Dettifoss
- Selfoss
- Krafla & Víti Crater
- Leirhnjúkur
- Hverir (Námaskarð)
- Mývatn Nature Baths