Almannagjá

About Almannagjá

Almannagjá is a rift gorge on the western side of Þingvellir National Park, about 45 minutes' drive from Reykjavík, and its tall western wall marks the edge of the North American plate. As the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart, the rift valley drops away from this wall toward the east.

The gorge matters as much to Icelandic history as it does to geology. In 930 the chieftains founded the Alþingi on the plain below, and many historians place Lögberg, the Law Rock where the law was recited aloud, inside Almannagjá against the higher wall, where the cliff would have carried a speaker's voice. The sagas say the Öxará river was later diverted into the gorge to supply water for the assembly, and it still pours in at the northern end as Öxarárfoss.

Most people start at the Hakið viewpoint and visitor center at the top, then follow the Almannagjá trail down between the walls to Lögberg and on to Öxarárfoss or the Drekkingarhylur pool. The path is wide and easy, on gravel and boardwalk, and takes about 30 to 45 minutes one way with stops. It's the first stop on almost every Golden Circle day.

Walking the gorge is free and open all year. Parking costs 1,000 ISK per day for a car with up to five seats and covers the P1 Hakið, P2 Efri-Vellir and P5 Valhöll lots, paid at the machines or online. Come early in the morning or in the evening to beat the tour buses, and in winter bring microspikes, since the path and steps can ice over.