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- Ásbyrgi horseshoe canyon — The signature feature: a huge, horseshoe-shaped amphitheater of sheer rock walls carved by ancient glacial floods. It’s big, dramatic and unexpectedly sheltered — feel the scale standing on the canyon floor and looking up at cliffs that reach roughly 100 m.
- Eyjan (the island) viewpoint — The raised, wooded plateau in the canyon’s center you can hike up to for panoramic views across the bowl. Small trees cling to the rock and the view is ridiculously calming — personal favorite for sunrise or when the mist slips through the walls.
- Botnstjörn pond — A tranquil mirror of water tucked against the canyon base, great for reflections, easy walking and low-key birdwatching. Bring a pair of binoculars; ducks and waders often use the pond, and the quiet makes it easy to
- Ásbyrgi horseshoe canyon — The signature feature: a huge, horseshoe-shaped amphitheater of sheer rock walls carved by ancient glacial floods. It’s big, dramatic and unexpectedly sheltered — feel the scale standing on the canyon floor and looking up at cliffs that reach roughly 100 m.
- Eyjan (the island) viewpoint — The raised, wooded plateau in the canyon’s center you can hike up to for panoramic views across the bowl. Small trees cling to the rock and the view is ridiculously calming — personal favorite for sunrise or when the mist slips through the walls.
- Botnstjörn pond — A tranquil mirror of water tucked against the canyon base, great for reflections, easy walking and low-key birdwatching. Bring a pair of binoculars; ducks and waders often use the pond, and the quiet makes it easy to linger.
- Birch woodland and mossy slopes — Ásbyrgi’s surprisingly lush pockets of dwarf birch, willow and thick moss give it a green, almost forested feel uncommon in northern Iceland. The microclimate here is nicer than the surrounding highlands, so the plant life feels richer and softer underfoot.
- Rim trails and short hikes — Pick from short loops to the rim or longer ridge walks; routes vary from easy family strolls to steeper viewpoints. The rim trails reward you with sweeping vistas into the canyon and the wider Jökulsá á Fjöllum river valley — simple, well-marked and very photogenic.
- Flood-sculpted geology — The canyon walls show the raw work of jökulhlaups (catastrophic glacial floods): layered cliffs, scoured rock and odd formations that tell the story of violent Ice Age events. It’s a geology lesson you can walk through — dramatic without needing a textbook.
- Seasonal wildlife and quiet nature watching — Besides pond birds, keep an eye out for ptarmigan, Arctic fox tracks and migratory species in summer. The place is peaceful, so sit for a while and something will usually show up.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.