Kirkjugólf
A flat surface of hexagonal basalt column tops beside Kirkjubæjarklaustur, looking like tiled church flooring but formed naturally.
Kirkjugólf is an area of basalt column tops covering about 80 square meters. Glaciers and waves wore the columns down until only their neatly arranged hexagonal cross-sections remained. For a long time people mistook it for the floor of an ancient church, which is where the name comes from. In fact, it is natural columnar jointing formed as lava cooled and contracted. It sits in the grassland east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. From a roadside parking spot, it's about a 5-minute walk. Admission is free, and you can visit it together with Systrafoss.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Systrafoss & Kirkjubæjarklaustur
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
- Eldhraun Lava Field
- Laufskálavarða
- Hjörleifshöfði & Yoda Cave
- Katla Ice Cave (Kötlujökull)
- Vík í Mýrdal & Víkurkirkja
- Icelandic Lava Show