04-10-2024
The largest volcanic canyon in the world, the epic Eldgjá Canyon in South Iceland is a must-visit natural wonder for those wanting to experience the dramatic, volcanic landscapes of Iceland.
Created by an extremely powerful eruption over 1000 years ago, Eldgjá Canyon shaped this incredible island’s unique geology and even affected civilisation as far away as Europe and Asia with its climate-cooling effect.
Discover more about Iceland’s Eldgjá Canyon in our complete travel guide, including where exactly this canyon is, how to get there, its history and geology, and top travel tips for visiting the ‘Fire Canyon’ in Iceland for yourself.
Reaching depths of 270 meters, the expansive Eldgjá Canyon stretches to 600 meters wide and 40 kilometers long. Translating to ‘Fire Canyon’ in Icelandic, Eldgjá is so-called due to being part of the famous Katla Volcano, originating from a very powerful volcanic eruption that occurred in 939 AD.
The massive 939 AD eruption is believed to be one of the largest effusive eruptions (where lava continuously flows out of a volcano) of all time, spreading around 18 cubic kilometers of lava over a distance of almost 800 square kilometers. The resulting volcanic craters and fissure vents can be seen at Eldgjá Canyon today.
Effects of this colossal eruption were felt across the world, with historical records from Europe, the Middle East and even as far as China noting the cooling of the climate, which caused colder winters and affected food supplies.
The geology of Iceland itself was dramatically impacted by this eruption and the mini Ice Age that followed it, with vast swathes of forest and agriculture destroyed, leading to the barren, volcanic landscape of contemporary Iceland.
Eldgjá Canyon itself is an extensive chain of fissures and different volcanic craters, some of which are full of water, creating stunning crater lakes. You’ll see steep cliffs, expansive fields of volcanic rock, lush green vegetation and a beautiful waterfall falling into the canyon itself.
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As Iceland had only recently been settled and Christianized at the time of the epic 939 AD volcanic eruption that created Eldgjá Canyon, this natural event allowed Christian conquerors to use Iceland as a warning of what God would do to those who don’t follow Christianity. This was used specifically to convert pagans following Old Norse beliefs to the Christian religion.
A local Icelander and geologist named Porvaldur Thoroddsen discovered Eldgjá Canyon in 1893 when exploring Southern Iceland’s countryside. With a range of hiking trails around the canyon area that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, a section of Eldgjá Canyon is now protected as part of the expansive Vatnajökull National Park that covers around 13% of Iceland’s total landmass.
Located in South Iceland, Eldgjá Canyon sits just east of the famous Fjallabak Nature Reserve. This volcanic canyon is part of Katla Volcano, situated in a remote natural area away from the populated coastal regions of the island.
The expansive Eldgjá Canyon stretches from the amazing rhyolite mountain area of Landmannalaugar in the Icelandic Highlands to the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, which sits next to the main Ring Road between the towns of Vik and Höfn.
Reaching Eldgjá Canyon from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik takes around 4 hours and 15 minutes by car. The 280-kilometer journey mainly follows the Ring Road in Iceland, also known as Route 1, before turning onto Route 208, then Route F208.
As this last road is an F-road, which is a mountainous, unpaved gravel road, you’ll need a 4x4 vehicle to traverse it. This is mandatory by Icelandic law because only 4x4 vehicles can safely drive on the island’s F-roads. Make sure to check with your rental car provider about the type of car you’ll need for the routes you plan to drive.
So, what are the best things you can do at Eldgjá Canyon, as well as marveling at this amazing geological wonder? Here’s our list of top activities to enjoy and things to do at Eldgjá Canyon to help you out.
The best way to explore Eldgjá Canyon is by hiking this incredible volcanic canyon, with a range of hiking routes to choose depending on your ability. You might like to hike the Gjátindur route, which is the tallest peak in the area, for a moderately challenging 5-hour loop hike, or you may prefer the shorter 1.5 hour Ófærufoss route (more on this waterfall below). There’s also a small circle route that takes around 2 hours in total and allows you to see a good portion of the canyon.
The beautiful, double-stream Ófærufoss Waterfall is a must-visit natural wonder at Eldgjá, with the water flowing from the River Ófæra into the canyon itself. You can take a hike to Ófærufoss to marvel at this stunning waterfall for yourself, and explore more of Eldgjá Canyon along the way.
Another great way of exploring Eldgjá Canyon is by taking a guided tour with an expert guide. This way, you can see all that Eldgjá has to offer, as well as learning all about the fascinating geology and history of the canyon in more depth.
If you’re a keen photographer, make sure to bring your camera equipment along to Eldgjá Canyon to capture some incredible shots of this beautiful natural wonder in all its volcanic glory! You might like to use a tripod to stabilize your shots and try a wide angle to capture more of the incredible landscape.
When exploring Eldgjá Canyon, you’ve got to check out the spectacular Langisjór Lake, too! With several hiking trails around this beautiful lake to choose from, you might like to take the lovely walk from the lake around Uxatindar mountains to reach Eldgjá.
Planning to visit Eldgjá Canyon for yourself? Then, take a look through our top travel tips to make sure you’re prepared for the trip of a lifetime!
Who’s feeling inspired to visit Iceland and tour the volcanoes, glaciers, canyons, mountains, hot springs and waterfalls? With incredible natural wonders everywhere you look, it’s no wonder that Iceland is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination.
Get started with planning your own dream Iceland vacation today by checking out our range of affordable and reliable car rentals in Iceland, perfect for the trip of a lifetime. Got any questions? Just let us know and we’ll be happy to help. See you in Iceland soon!