Múlagljúfur Canyon
About Múlagljúfur Canyon
Múlagljúfur Canyon is the detour most Ring Road drivers miss, even though it sits a few minutes from the Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon. A short hike brings you to the rim of a deep, moss-green gorge where Hangandifoss drops in a thin ribbon from the cliffs.
The canyon cuts into the hills below Öræfajökull in Southeast Iceland, between Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón. From Skaftafell it's about 25 minutes east on Route 1, and Jökulsárlón is about 20 minutes farther on. Expect about five hours of driving from Reykjavík, so most people fit it into a night or two in the area.
There's no big sign. Just west of Fjallsárlón, a rough gravel track leaves Route 1 toward the hills and ends at a small parking lot. Take it slowly, since a higher-clearance car handles the ruts more easily, and check the signs at the lot for any parking payment before you set off.
The Múlagljúfur Canyon hike to the main viewpoint is about 4 kilometers round trip and takes most people 1.5 to 2 hours. It's an unmaintained path with steep, loose sections and a few spots near the edge, so wear boots with good grip. Keep going past the first viewpoint and the trail climbs higher, with a view down the gorge to Múlafoss and out over the glacier lagoons toward the coast.
The best time to visit Múlagljúfur Canyon is June through September, when the path is dry and the walls are at their greenest. Rain turns the clay slick, and snow and ice make it a poor choice in winter. There are no facilities at the trailhead, so bring water and plan restroom stops at Fjallsárlón or Skaftafell.
Good to know
Where is Múlagljúfur Canyon?
It's in Southeast Iceland, just west of the Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon on Route 1. Skaftafell is about 25 minutes west and Jökulsárlón about 20 minutes east.
How long is the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike?
The walk to the main viewpoint is about 4 kilometers round trip and takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Continuing to the higher viewpoints adds more distance and climbing.
Do you need a 4x4 to reach Múlagljúfur?
The access track is short, rough gravel. Many people drive it slowly in a regular car in dry summer conditions, but a higher-clearance vehicle makes it easier.
When is the best time to visit Múlagljúfur Canyon?
Summer, roughly June through September, when the trail is dry. In wet weather the clay path gets slippery, and in winter snow and ice make it unsafe for most hikers.
What waterfalls are in Múlagljúfur Canyon?
The two main falls are Hangandifoss, a tall thin drop seen from the main viewpoint, and Múlafoss, farther up the gorge.
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