Ásbyrgi Canyon★★
Hoofprint of Odin's Horse
The Ásbyrgi Canyon is one of Iceland's most impressive geological formations — a horseshoe-shaped canyon, 3.5 km long and 1 km wide, with up to 100-meter-high vertical rock walls. In the middle, a rock plateau called Eyjan (the "Island") divides the canyon into two halves.
Mythology vs. Geology
Norse legend says that Sleipnir — the eight-legged horse of the god Odin — placed its hoof here, leaving the massive imprint. When viewed from above, the horseshoe shape of the canyon is indeed strikingly clear — no wonder the Vikings saw a divine explanation here.
The geological explanation is almost as spectacular: Massive glacial floods (Jökulhlaup) at the end of the last ice age (about 8,000–10,000 years ago) carved the canyon into the basalt rock. The floods — triggered by subglacial volcanic eruptions under the Vatnajökull — were so powerful that they created this massive canyon in just a few days. A second event about 3,000 years ago expanded the canyon to its current form.
Ásbyrgi is also considered in Icelandic folklore as the capital of the Huldufólk (hidden people/elves). Many Icelanders report a special energy in this place — and the birch forest at the bottom of the canyon indeed has an almost mystical atmosphere.
Nature in the Canyon
The floor of the canyon is covered with a lush birch forest — a rare sight in barren Iceland, where the Vikings cleared almost all the trees. The sheltered location between the high rock walls creates a microclimate that is significantly warmer and less windy than the surroundings. The acoustics are amazing: Birds sing, wind rustles through the trees, and the rock walls echo every sound. A place of silence and power.
Hiking
- Botnstjörn Lake: At the end of the canyon, 30 min. walk. Quiet lake with rock walls — meditatively calm. The rocks reflect in the water
- Eyjan Rock Plateau: Climb via a steep staircase. Panoramic view over the entire canyon and the birch forest
- Klappir Trail: From the visitor center through the eastern half of the canyon (2 km, 45 min.)
💡 Tipp
Ásbyrgi is located at the northern end of the Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon, which extends to Dettifoss. If you're driving the Diamond Circle, visit Ásbyrgi first and then work your way south to Dettifoss. The campsite in Ásbyrgi (in the birch forest!) is one of the most atmospheric in Iceland.
