Jökulsárgljúfur

Some of Iceland's most renowned natural attractions are located within Jökulsárgljúfur. Dettifoss is regarded as Europe's most powerful waterfall and by looking at it one can sence the forces that shaped Ásbyrgi and Hljóðaklettar. The contrasts between power and peace is seldom more obvious than in Hólmatungur where crystal clear streams and fountains run into the sizzling glacier river Jökulsá.

Jökulsárgljúfur has a network of trails that vary in distance and difficulty. Jökulsárgljúfur with its campsites in Ásbyrgi and Vesturdalur is also a favorable destination for those who want to experience the Icelandic summer in a beautiful setting.

Click here for more information about Ásbyrgi

Click here for more information about Dettifoss

Click here for more information about Jökulsárgljúfur

Click here for pictures from this area

HOW TO GET THERE

Road 85: To reach the visitor centre in Ásbyrgi from Húsavík, take road 85.  From Húsavik to Ásbyrgi is 65 km, paved all the way.

Road 864

goes from road 85 past Dettifoss on the east side towards road 1. This is a gravel road and driving speed depends on road conditions each time. Road 864 is closed during winter time due to snow or wet conditions (muddy road) and does not open until early summer (end of May).

Distances on road 864:
Ásbyrgi - Dettifoss: 28 km
Ásbyrgi - road 1: 60 km

Road 862 is on the west side of river Jökulsá. From road 85 south to Dettifoss the road is a gravel road. The road is passable for normal vehicles from Ásbyrgi to Dettifoss, with Vesturdalur (Hljóðaklettar) and Hólmatungur between. Up until 2011 this road was categorised as a mountain road (F-road) but is now served as a gravel road. The conditions of gravel roads in Iceland can vary, so travellers are asked to be aware of road conditions at any time and adjust driving speed to the conditions.

Road 862, between road 85 and Dettifoss, is closed during winter time, due to snow or wet conditions (muddy road) and does not open until late May or early June.

Road 862, from Dettifoss south to road 1, on the west river bank, is a new, paved road which is passable for all vehicles. The road is not in service every day during the winter time and is often closed during snowy periods.

Distances on road 862:
 Ásbyrgi - Vesturdalur (Hljodaklettar): 16 km
Vesturdalur - Hólmatungur: 16 km
Hólmatungur - Dettifoss: 7 km
Dettifoss - road 1: ~ 20 km; Dettifoss - Mývatn: ~ 50 km

A scheduled bus is from Akureyri to Ásbyrgi all year round. During the summer there is a daily bus from Ásbyrgi to Vesturdalur and Dettifoss on the west side. Further information is available on the website of SBA and bus.is.

Ásbyrgi Visitor Centre is locted in the mouth of Ásbyrgi. There one can find all necessary information about the national park and its neighborhood, hiking routes, nature, history, services and activities. Also in Gljúfrastofa is an exhibition about the nature and geology of Jökulsárgljúfur. Gljúfrastofa is open daily from May 1 to September 30.


Two campsites are within Jökulsárgljúfur. In Ásbyrgi there is a large and well equipped campsite for tents, campers and trailers. In Vesturdalur there is a smaller campsite with lesser service.

Plenty of hiking routes are within Jökulsárgljúfur.

A souvenir shop is located in the Ásbyrgi Visitor Centre with books, postcards and handcraft etc. Food can be purchased in the shop Ásbyrgi.

Coffee is available in the Ásbyrgi Visitor Centre. A restaurant is in the shop Ásbyrgi.

Information on guesthouses and hotels near Jökulsárgljúfur can be found on the website of the regional tourism organisation.