Kolugljúfur Canyon

About Kolugljúfur Canyon

Kolugljúfur Canyon looks like an ordinary farm valley until the ground splits open and the river Víðidalsá drops into a dark, narrow gorge. Few people driving the Ring Road between Hvammstangi and Blönduós know it is there, which is the best reason to make the short detour.

The canyon runs for 1 to 2 km and reaches a few tens of meters deep. At its head the river tumbles over three falls, Efrifoss, Kolufoss and Neðri-Kolufoss, known together as Kolufossar. Local legend says the troll woman Kola dug the gorge herself and made her home in it, and several place names around the canyon still carry her name.

You'll find the Kolugljúfur canyon waterfall in Víðidalur in Northwest Iceland, roughly half an hour from either Hvammstangi or Blönduós and under three hours from Reykjavík. Turn off Route 1 onto Route 715, then follow the gravel side road to the small parking areas by the bridge over the gorge. The viewpoints are a minute or two from the car, so 30 to 45 minutes is plenty for most visits.

The edges are steep, mostly unfenced and can be slippery after rain, so stay on the paths and keep children close. Summer brings the strongest flow and green walls on the canyon sides, while in winter the gravel roads can turn icy. Pair the stop with the drive out to Hvítserkur on the Vatnsnes peninsula for a half day off the Ring Road.