Feature
Waterfall Canyon
Multiple cascades visible from the bridge above
Kolugljúfur: Waterfall Canyon of the Giantess Kola
A waterfall canyon named after the giantess Kola of Icelandic folklore, where the Víðidalsá river drops through a series of cascades visible from the bridge above.
Location
North Iceland
Víðidalur valley, Route 715
Quick Answer
Kolugljúfur is a waterfall canyon on the Víðidalsá river in North Iceland, named after the giantess Kola of folklore. The cascades are visible from the bridge above.
Kolugljúfur is a canyon in northwest Iceland where the Víðidalsá river has carved a deep gorge and drops through a series of waterfalls. The canyon is named after a giantess called Kola, who according to folklore lived in the canyon and caught salmon from the river with her bare hands. A bridge crosses the canyon, and its viewing platforms look down into the gorge at the waterfalls, the eroded rock walls, and the river below. The site is an easy roadside stop that requires no hiking.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Stay behind railings on the bridge viewing platforms. Canyon edges can be slippery. Take care in wet or icy conditions.
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Official sources to check
Access
Roadside Stop
No hiking required; views from the bridge
Legend
Giantess Kola
Named after a troll woman from Icelandic folklore
What to Expect
Bridge Viewing Platforms
Purpose-built platforms on the bridge look straight down into the canyon and waterfalls
Kolufossar Waterfalls
A series of powerful cascades where the Víðidalsá river plunges into the narrow gorge
Folklore & Legend
Local folklore says the giantess Kola lived here and fished salmon from the river
No Hiking Required
Park and walk to the bridge; the main viewpoints are a few steps away
Sculpted Rock Walls
Thousands of years of water erosion have shaped the patterns in the canyon walls
Quick Stop Friendly
A 20-40 minute stop on a drive through North Iceland or toward the Westfjords
Getting There
Use the Kolugljúfur viewpoint in Víðidalur on road715 as your destination. Visit North Iceland places it just below Kolugil farm beside the Víðidalsá river. Follow the signed visitor approach and parking arrangements on arrival; do not use an informal farm track to shorten the journey.
Best Time to Visit
Kolugljúfur can be visited year-round since it is a roadside attraction requiring no hiking. June through August has the longest daylight (up to 21 hours) and the most comfortable conditions with temperatures around 10-14°C. May and June bring the highest river flow from spring snowmelt, so the Kolufossar waterfalls carry the most water then. September and October bring autumn colors to the surrounding valley. December through February, the canyon and waterfalls can partially freeze, though the bridge and viewing platforms may be icy and require extreme caution. As a 20-40 minute stop, Kolugljúfur fits easily into any North Iceland itinerary.
The regional tourism board’s Icelandic route note adds a limitation missing from many short descriptions: a side gorge blocks the western bank, preventing a loop to Víðidalsbrú. Plan a return along the path you used, and keep away from the canyon edge. Kolufossar names the waterfalls; Kolugljúfur names the gorge.
Planning help
Kolugljúfur Canyon FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Who was the giantess Kola?
According to Icelandic folklore, Kola was a giantess (tröllkona) who lived in the canyon and caught salmon from the river with her bare hands. The canyon is named after her: Kolugljúfur means 'Kola's Canyon.' The story has been part of local tradition for centuries.
Is there an entrance fee for Kolugljúfur?
No, Kolugljúfur Canyon is free to visit. There is a parking area near the bridge with no fee. The viewing platforms on the bridge provide the best vantage points.
Can I hike down into the canyon?
Use the established viewpoints and paths. Visit North Iceland warns against approaching the canyon edges and says a side gorge blocks the western route, so you cannot complete a loop down to Víðidalsbrú. Do not improvise a descent to connect the paths.
How long do I need for a visit?
Most visitors spend 20-40 minutes at Kolugljúfur. It is a roadside attraction with the main viewpoints accessible from the bridge, so it is an easy stop rather than a long hike.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.