Best for
Canyon + Norse legend
A flood-carved canyon with its own Norse legend and a forested floor.
Ásbyrgi: Horseshoe Canyon and Forest in Vatnajökull National Park
A horseshoe-shaped canyon and forest in Vatnajökull National Park, known from Norse legend, with birch woodland, a quiet pond, and good hiking trails.
Region
North Iceland
Part of Vatnajökull National Park. Check road access in winter.
Ásbyrgi is a horseshoe-shaped canyon roughly 3.5 km long and 1 km wide, enclosed by cliffs up to 100 meters high. Within these walls a birch and willow forest thrives, an unexpected patch of green in Iceland's stark northern landscape. According to Norse mythology, the canyon was formed when Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir placed its hoof on the earth. Botnstjörn pond lies at the canyon's closed end, surrounded by cliffs and woodland.
Sources and last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03
This page is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Roads to Ásbyrgi may be closed in winter. Always check road.is and park websites before traveling.
Pages are reviewed for practical usefulness, source quality, and volatile claims before publication.
Official sources to check
Access
Moderate
Paved/gravel roads; check seasonal closures.
Pro tip
Camp here
The campsite is a good base for Jökulsárgljúfur and Dettifoss.
What to Expect at Ásbyrgi
- Canyon walls up to 100m around a sheltered birch forest
- Botnstjörn pond at the canyon's closed end
- Multiple hiking trails along the canyon floor and rim
- Eyjan (the rock island that splits the canyon in two)
- Rich birdlife including fulmars nesting on the canyon cliffs
- Well-maintained campsite, a convenient base for the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon area
Nearby Attractions
- Dettifoss (Europe's most powerful waterfall)
- Hljóðaklettar (echo rock formations)
- Húsavík (whale watching capital of Iceland)
- Jökulsárgljúfur canyon trail running south to Dettifoss
- Vesturdalur valley with columnar basalt formations
How to Get There
- Route 861 leads north from Route 1 near Ásbyrgi, in the Jökulsárgljúfur area of Northeast Iceland
- About 65 km east of Húsavík and 175 km from Akureyri via Route 1 and Route 85
- The road is mostly paved but the final section is gravel, accessible by standard car in summer
- The campsite and visitor center are well-signposted at the end of the road
- Combine with Dettifoss waterfall (40 km south) and Lake Mývatn (100 km west) for a full itinerary
Best Time to Visit
- June-August: Campsite open, all trails accessible, birch woodland lush and green, 8-15°C
- July: Peak summer, with the best weather and 24-hour daylight in the canyon
- September: Autumn colors in the birch forest and fewer visitors
- October-May: Road may be closed or difficult, so check road.is before driving
- Late June: Nesting birds active in the canyon, wildflowers blooming on the forest floor
Planning help
Ásbyrgi FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.