A Guide to Asbyrgi Canyon in Iceland
This Asbyrgi Canyon travel guide for first-time visitors includes tips on the best hiking trails, how to get, where to stay, what to expect, when to go, or what to pack. Come visit with us Asbyrgi Canyon in Jökulsárgljúfur, part of Vatnajökull, and an amazing place on Diamond Circle in North Iceland.
Asbyrgi Canyon, also known as Shelter of the Gods, has amazing energy, and it's an incredible place to visit.
Many myths and stories are connected with this place, making it one of the most important sites in Icelandic folklore.
Asbyrgi Canyon is also one of the best places on Diamond Circle, a popular scenic drive in the north part of Iceland.
As most of the facilities are open only during the summer, and it is not that easy to get there when the conditions are challenging, not that many international travelers get to see it.
In this blog post, we would like to share with you our experience of visiting Asbyrgi Canyon, tips on the best things to do while there (small hint, it is hiking), and practical information on how to plan your trip.
Things to Know Before Visiting Asbyrgi Canyon
Before we look into the practical side of visiting Asbyrgi Canyon, we feel it is quite appropriate to start with a bit of terminology. Why?
Well, we must admit that when planning our Iceland trip, we found Icelandic names to be a bit hard to remember and pronounce.
When it came to Asbyrgi, one more element in play made the orientation even more confusing.
Where is Asbyrgi Canyon
Sometimes we could read about Asbyrgi, but quite often, other names such as Vatnajokull National Park or Jokulsargljufur Canyon kept popping up.
It seemed that all those names were related to Asbyrgi Canyon.
So, what place are you actually going to visit, and what will you see once you get there?
Vatnajokull is Iceland's largest national park, and Asbyrgi Canyon lies within the park.
Moreover, Vatnajokull was established in 2008, and it swallowed up some smaller national parks, such as previously existing Jokulsargljufur National Park.
Therefore, you can sometimes read that Asbyrgi is in Jokulsargljufur National Park, even though it's no longer true.
If you have already been to Skaftafell on the South Coast, you're already familiar with the situation.
To make it even a bit more complicated, Asbyrgi is also a part of Jokulsargljufur Canyon, which extends even further.
Yes, it is a place where the famous Dettifoss Waterfall flows.
In a nutshell, Asbyrgi Canyon lies in Jökulsárgljúfur, which is a part of Vatnajökull National Park.
We hope it is a bit clearer now, and we can talk more about Asbyrgi Canyon itself, its history, perfect views, and hiking trails.
Why Visit Asbyrgi Canyon
Why is Asbyrgi Canyon in North Iceland worth visiting, even though it is located off the Ring Road?
Asbyrgi is a horseshoe-shaped canyon in Northeast Iceland.
Its cliffs are 100 meters high, the canyon is more than 1 kilometer wide, and the canyon's length is approximately 3.5 kilometers.
On top of that, the canyon floor is covered with vegetation and many tree species.
And even though Asbyrgi Canyon probably won't be the most spectacular attraction you are going to see in the Land of Ice and Fire, and it's far less popular than Fjadrargljufur Canyon, we really enjoyed our time while there.
As a reward for traveling off the beaten path, it offered us yet another fine example of how Iceland's nature is diverse and breathtaking.
Camping
If you travel by a campervan or car and sleep in a tent, the Asbyrgi Campground is always a safe bet while in the area.
Camping in Iceland is an experience on its own, and Asbyrgi Canyon is home to an excellent campsite.
The campsite is large, and as it works on a first-come, first-served basis, you do not need to make a reservation in advance.
Please note the camp is only seasonal, usually open from mid-May till the end of October.
Smaller and more primitive Vesturdalur Campsite is also available nearby, but it is also open only during the summer season.
History of Asbyrgi Canyon
The history of Asbyrgi Canyon goes approximately eight to ten thousand years back.
One of the Vatnajokull volcanoes erupted, and as a consequence, the canyon was formed by catastrophic glacial flooding.
This process happened again three thousand years ago, and during this period, the canyon received its final shape we can admire today.
That is at least what science and geologists say.
We've already mentioned that the people of Iceland love myths, so a legend says that the creation of Asbyrgi Canyon happened a bit differently.
A mythological god Odin had an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir.
One time, when he was riding the horse, Odin got too close to the earth, and Sleipnir accidentally touched the ground.
Since then, Asbyrgi Canyon has existed, and it is also a reason why it has its iconic horseshoe shape.
It is only up to you which explanation you will believe, but one thing is sure.
Many locals believe in these myths, and Asbyrgi is also known as Elves' capital city, so do not joke around and treat this area with respect.
What to See and Do in Asbyrgi Canyon
While you can even take a scenic drive through the bottom of the canyon, we still believe it's better to explore this area on foot.
Visitors Center
It was raining on the day we arrived in Asbyrgi, so we went to the Visitors Center right away as we were not sure if the trail we picked was worth it.
Here, a helpful staff outlined a few options on the best hiking routes we could do, even on a rainy day.
The Visitors Center operates daily from the end of May till October. During the offseason, it has limited opening hours.
Even if you know what exactly to do in the area, we believe it's worth making a quick stop there to ask local rangers about the current conditions and their recommendations.
Hiking Trails
As mentioned above, to fully appreciate the size and beauty of Asbyrgi Canyon, you need to go on a hike while you're there.
There are several hikes of varying length and difficulty, and you should choose the most suitable one according to your level of fitness, weather, and duration.
Keep in mind that some longer trails in the canyon share the same path.
For example, at least three hikes share the same trail all the way to Klappir, one of the best viewpoints in Asbyrgi Canyon.
Therefore, you can extend the hike spontaneously if you feel like you still have enough time and want to see more.
Here we've rounded up some of the best trails in Asbyrgi Canyon.
Botnstjörn Pond
The most popular and easiest trail in Asbyrgi Canyon leads to Botnstjörn pond. From the visitors center, follow Road 861 toward the southern end of the canyon.
You will basically drive through the entire canyon, and once you reach its farthest end, a short path will take you to a small pond surrounded by vegetation.
It's a very easy yet fairly rewarding walk.
However, this path won't allow you to see the canyon from the top. And we believe that's why you've arrived here in the first place.
Eyjan Trail
Eyjan is a huge island in the middle of Asbyrgi Canyon and one of the coolest places you can visit while you're there.
We chose this fairly easy hike because it was considerably short, and the views were supposed to be great despite the light rain and low rolling clouds.
The Eyjan trailhead is at the campsite, about five hundred meters from the visitors center.
There is also a parking lot adjacent to the campground for daily visitors, so you don't need to retrace your steps.
This trail is 4.5 kilometers long, and only the first section leads slightly uphill. The rest of the course is mostly flat as it leads along the edge of the cliff.
It took us to finish it a bit more than an hour, but that depends on your pace.
Klappir Trail
This 9-kilometer in-and-out trail is popular among avid hikers looking for a proper adventure in the canyon.
You can find the trailhead at the visitors center, the same as for Kúahvammur Circle and Kviar Circle.
The trail follows the eastern edge of the canyon and offers superb views of the entire area.
Once you reach Klappir, you need to retrace your steps, though. It shouldn't take you more than three hours to tackle this trail.
If you feel like you want to see more, you can extend this hike. See the following options down below.
Kuahvammur Circle
In the beginning, we considered hiking the Kúahvammur Circle, a 12-kilometer long loop that includes some climbing sections.
As the weather was not very pleasant and our Iceland itinerary was packed, we opted for the lovely Eyjan Trail instead.
It should take about four to five hours to complete this hike, but it offers one of the most rewarding views of Asbyrgi Canyon and the Jokulsa River.
The main difference between Klappir Trail and Kúahvammur Trail is that once you reach Klappir, you should head to the Jokulson River, so you don't need to retrace your steps.
Kviar Circle
Once you reach Klappir, you can extend the hike all the way to Kviar.
This 17-kilometer trail is rated as challenging and requires about six to seven hours of your time.
To figure out which trail is the best, ask at the visitors center or check out the official website, which also features a map of trails in Asbyrgi Canyon.
Dettifoss Trail
If you have more time than an average visitor, there are even a few multi-day treks to do while in the area.
One of the most popular ones leads to Dettifoss Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.
It's a 2-day hike, so you should come prepared.
Moreover, it's an in-and-out trail, so you need to arrange transport to get back to your car unless you want to retrace your steps.
When is the Best Time to Visit Asbyrgi Canyon
The area sees four distinct seasons, and when to go depends on your preferences.
Surprisingly, North Iceland is warmer than the south part of the country due to winds that bring warm air from the south.
Still, it was not exactly the warmest place we've ever been to, even in the summer.
Summer
The best time to visit Asbyrgi Canyon is usually late spring, the whole summer (June to August are super-popular), and early autumn.
During this time, Asbyrgi Canyon is well-accessible, and trails are well-maintained.
Even though it can rain, weather conditions are pretty beginner-friendly and not that challenging, except for the ubiquitous cold wind.
Winter
Wintertime can be quite harsh in Iceland because of the snowfall and limited daylight.
The good news is that Asbyrgi Canyon is open in winter.
Due to its low elevation, Asbyrgi Canyon receives more rain than snow, though you should come prepared for every type of weather.
The bigger problem will be the limited daylight provided by nature druing this period.
Asbyrgi Canyon is not closed for the winter, but it is good to know that two out of three access routes are not passable. We'll talk more about it later.
By the way, here you can find more information on best time to visit Iceland.
What to Pack
One of the essential things to know about Iceland is that the weather is very unpredictable.
As the old saying goes, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.
This is twice as true in Iceland, and you should never underestimate the weather here.
Even when you are preparing for a short hike, bring a rain jacket or rain poncho to stay nice and dry, and a down jacket to stay warm.
Furthermore, bring a comfortable daypack to contain your travel essentials, and sturdy hiking boots to keep you safe.
Tap water in Iceland is drinkable.
So it is always enough to have a reusable water bottle to avoid buying plastic ones to reduce your plastic footprint.
For more information, read our guide on what to pack for Iceland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
How to Get to Asbyrgi Canyon
Asbyrgi lies approximately 60 kilometers from Husavik, the whale watching capital of Iceland, just off Road 85.
Akureyri, the largest city in North Iceland, is about 140 kilometers southwest of Asbyrgi.
Myvatn is about 90 kilometers south of Asbyrgi via Road 862 and 120 kilometers via Road 87 and 85.
Also, don't forget that the canyon is also one of the best stops on Diamond Circle.
The easiest way to get to Asbyrgi Canyon is by rental car or campervan.
Directions
The area is well-signposted, so you only need to follow the Road 85 and then turn onto Road 861, which will eventually take you to the Visitors Center, campground, and trails.
Road 85
Road 85 is open year-round, even when the conditions are challenging.
More importantly, it is the only route to the canyon between October (when the first snow usually arrives) and May.
Between May and September, it is also possible to get to Asbyrgi by either Road 864 or Road 862, which connect the canyon with the Ring Road.
Road 862
Road 862 was under construction for a while, but it's completed and fully paved now.
There were still a few kilometers unpaved when we were in Iceland, so we instead took the longer road via Husavik.
Road 862 will take you to Dettifoss West Viewpoint.
Road 864
864 road is unpaved, and it is recommended to have a proper 4WD car and to drive really slowly if you want to take your chances.
Road 864 will take you to Dettifoss East Viewpoint.
If you're deciding between Road 862 and 864, we would always choose Road 862.
Public Transport
Due to its remoteness, there is no public transport.
Tours
In case you do not travel around Iceland by car, your only option is to take a tour.
Most of the Diamond Circle Tours that include Asbyrgi Canyon usually start in Akureyri.
In case you're visiting Iceland in the winter, check the tour itinerary to see if Asbyrgi is included or not.
Where to Stay Near Asbyrgi Canyon
Even though Asbyrgi Canyon is quite remote, it is a popular location. That's why there are quite a few accommodation options you can choose from along the way.
You have several options on where to spend the night, depending on your itinerary and the time of the day you plan on visiting Asbyrgi.
You can book a room near the canyon, stay in a campground within the park, or travel to Husavik, Akureyri, or Lake Myvatn.
We've handpicked the best hotels within driving distance from Asbyrgi Canyon.
Asbyrgi | Dettifoss Guesthouse - Despite its name, this guesthouse is located in Asbyrgi. The most significant advantage of this accommodation is that it's only 25 kilometers north of Dettifoss and a short drive from Asbyrgi Canyon. It is an excellent pick for everyone who likes modernly renovated rooms and a stunning location.
Dettifoss | Grimstunga Guesthouse - This lovely guesthouse is only a short drive from the Dettifoss Waterfall, and due to its location, it might be the right place for you. This facility offers free private parking and a shared kitchen.
Myvatn | Sel - Hotel Myvatn - Situated on the shores of Lake Myvatn, this modern hotel features clean rooms with amazing views and even provides its guests with a free sauna and hot tubs.
Husavik | Fosshotel Husavik - You can basically travel all around Iceland and stay only in this chain as they have hotels in every major tourist destination. Modern design, great services, and reasonable price is the reason why this hotel is so popular among local and international travelers.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
