Fjadrargljufur Canyon

Fjadrargljufur is a narrow, winding gorge cut into soft palagonite rock by the Fjadra river, roughly two kilometres long and up to about a hundred metres deep. The walls fold back on themselves in a series of green-topped fins, which is why photographs of it look almost artificial. A marked path runs along the eastern rim to a platform at the top end, and a rougher route follows the riverbed itself when water levels allow. The moss and thin turf on the edges damage easily, and the site has been closed for weeks at a time in spring to let vegetation recover. It is a short stop rather than a walk of any length.

What you actually see

• The rim path - the marked trail along the eastern edge with several fenced viewpoints.
• The upper platform - the viewing deck at the head of the gorge looking back down its bends.
• The folded walls - palagonite fins the river has cut into tight curves.
• The riverbed route - the wet walk along the canyon floor, possible only in low water.

When to go

Summer, once the spring closure has been lifted and the path has dried out. Mornings are quieter; by late morning the car park fills with south coast tour traffic. Check the closure status before setting off, since the site is shut for several weeks most springs while the vegetation on the rim regrows.

Honest expectations

It is busy, small and takes under an hour. The path is muddy and slippery in wet weather, and the fenced viewpoints are narrow, so people queue for the good angles. Straying off the trail is both damaging and dangerous. Spring closures are enforced and drivers regularly arrive to find the gate shut.

Nearby

Kirkjubaejarklaustur and the Eldhraun lava field lie east along the ring road.