Hafrahvammagljúfur Canyon
About Hafrahvammagljúfur Canyon
Hafrahvammagljúfur is a deep river canyon in the eastern highlands of Iceland, cut by the glacial river Jökulsá á Dal just below the Kárahnjúkar dam. Its walls rise up to about 200 meters, and the gorge runs for roughly 8 kilometers, making it one of the deepest canyons in the country.
Since the dam went in, most of the river's water stays in the Hálslón reservoir, so the canyon floor now holds a thin, milky stream between sheer walls of gray and rust-colored rock. The narrower side gorge of Dimmugljúfur joins it near the dam, and the two are often treated as one canyon system. In late summer, when Hálslón overflows, the temporary Hverfandi waterfall crashes into the canyon from the dam's spillway.
Getting to Hafrahvammagljúfur means driving Road 910 from Fljótsdalur toward the Kárahnjúkar dam, about an hour and 45 minutes from Egilsstaðir. A marked trail leads from a small parking area north of the dam to viewing platforms on the canyon rim, and the short walk takes about an hour there and back. The final track to the trailhead is gravel, so a 4x4 is the safer choice.
July to September is the best time to visit, when the highland road is clear of snow, and late August adds the chance of seeing Hverfandi in full flow. There are no services in the area and the canyon edges have no railings outside the platforms, so stay on the trail and keep children close.
Good to know
Where is Hafrahvammagljúfur canyon?
Hafrahvammagljúfur is in the eastern highlands of Iceland, directly below the Kárahnjúkar dam on the river Jökulsá á Dal. It is about an hour and 45 minutes by car from Egilsstaðir.
How deep is Hafrahvammagljúfur?
The canyon walls reach about 200 meters at their highest point, and the gorge is roughly 8 kilometers long. It ranks among the deepest canyons in Iceland.
Can you hike Hafrahvammagljúfur?
Yes. A short marked trail runs from a parking area north of the Kárahnjúkar dam to viewing platforms on the rim, about an hour round trip. Stay on the path, since the edges are sheer.
Do you need a 4x4 for Hafrahvammagljúfur?
Road 910 to the Kárahnjúkar dam is paved, but the last track to the canyon trailhead is gravel, so a 4x4 is the safer option. The road is only reliably open in summer.
What is the waterfall in Hafrahvammagljúfur?
In late summer, when the Hálslón reservoir is full, overflow from the dam's spillway forms Hverfandi, a temporary waterfall that drops into the canyon. It usually appears around late August.
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