Jökulsárgljúfur National Park was established in 1973. Its area covers 150 km² and a 35 km long stretch along the western side of the glacial river Jokulsa. The river canyons are about 25 km long and resemble the Grand Canyons in Arizona, USA.
Places of interest include the Asbyrgi Canyon, The Whispering Cliffs (Hljóðaklettar) and the grand Dettifoss waterfall. The park is ideal for short or long hikes. There is no better way to enjoy its charm fully.
The Ásbygi-canyon are horseshoeshaped with vertical cliffs up to 100 metres high surrounding it. The legend says that the horse of Óðinn, the chief god of Norse mythology, kicked with his hoof into the ground which resulted in Ásbyrgi-canyon. A big rock, "The Island" is rising in its centre and a small lake is in its inner end.
This is a place kids love.
Up along the glacier-river 'Jökulsá' you pass the Whispering Cliffs, Holmatungur and Dettifoss. See map.
The Whispering Cliffs are about 30 minutes drive from Ásbyrgi. The crater-cliffs have a strange formation, you can see whatever your imagination can think of, in them.
Dettifoss is rated as Europe's most powerful waterfall, based on its magnitude. You can feel the ground tremble when you walk close to it. It is 45 m high and about 100 m wide. Dettifoss is in a series of waterfalls in the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, which emerges from beneath Vatnajökull glacier and runs into Öxarfjörður bay. It is possible to reach the waterfalls from both sides of the river. Be careful when walking there as the area is rugged and the stones can also be slippery close to the waterfall. The roads to the waterfall are not very good so it is better to be in a 4 wheel drive car.
