Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir is where two continents visibly pull apart, a rift valley walled by lava cliffs where the North American and Eurasian plates drift away from each other. It is also the most sacred site in Iceland, where the Althing, the world's oldest surviving parliament, gathered from the year 930. A UNESCO site, it anchors the popular Golden Circle.

Background

The park lies in the municipality of Bláskógabyggð, about 40 km northeast of Reykjavík, with Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland, to the south. Founded in 1930 to mark the 1000th anniversary of the Althing, it was the first national park in Iceland, and it later grew to protect the natural features around it, now covering 9270 ha. UNESCO listed it in 2004. The Althing gathered here each summer for two weeks from 930 until 1798. Its Law Council first sat at Neðri-Vellir on the east bank of the Öxará, moved to an islet when the river shifted its course around 1500, and in 1594 settled at the foot of the Law Rock.

Source: Wikipedia, "Þingvellir"

What you'll find

• The rift walls - the Almannagja gorge where you walk between the drifting plates.
• The parliament plains - the ground where the Althing met for centuries.
• Silfra fissure - the crystal-clear water-filled rift, famous for diving and snorkelling.
• Oxararfoss - the waterfall tumbling into the rift valley.

When to go

Summer for the easiest access, long light and Silfra diving; the site is open year-round and dramatic in snow. Early or late in the day avoids the Golden Circle coach crowds.

Practical notes

It is on the busy Golden Circle, so the main paths and car parks are crowded in season. The plate boundary is a geological wonder more than a single dramatic view, so a little context helps. Silfra diving needs a guided, dry-suit tour and is very cold.

Nearby

Geysir and Gullfoss complete the Golden Circle; Reykjavik is under an hour away.

Key facts