Jökulsá á Fjöllum is a roaring, turbulent milky white/greyish glacial river coming straight from Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest glacier, or its glacier tongue Dyngjujökull to be precise.
Opening photograph: Jökulsá á Fjöllum and Dettifoss
Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river within the highland and Gljúfrasmiður waterfall
On this travel-blog I’m going to point out you what the glacial river appears like within the highland and all the best way all the way down to its estuary in Öxarfjörður fjord. Alongside the best way, the glacial river creates extraordinary waterfalls.
My second photograph is taken within the highland of Iceland within the neighborhood of Askja caldera and the small, however highly effective waterfall within the glacial river known as Gljúfrasmiður – the Canyon Builder.
I have twice visited this space on the best way to Askja within the highland. As that is such a rugged space with glacial rivers to cross then I joined guided excursions.
The large bridge over Jökulsá á Fjöllum
Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river is bridged in 3 locations and on our travels within the highlands of Iceland we crossed the glacial river on the bridge by Upptyppingar.
The opposite two bridges are by ring-road 1 and by the top of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon by highway 85.
Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river runs by means of one of many greatest canyons in Iceland, the 25 km lengthy ruggedly stunning Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, with its stunning waterfalls and extraordinary rock formations.
Jökulsárbrú bridge by highway 85 near the estuary of Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river
Within the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, the glacial river creates essentially the most highly effective waterfall in Iceland, the Dettifoss waterfall, plus a number of different smaller waterfalls.
Jökulsárgljúfur canyon is my favorite canyon in Iceland and I by no means tire of mountain climbing on this extraordinary canyon and in Ásbyrgi, which is my favorite spot in Iceland. Too unhealthy that it’s so removed from Reykjavík the place I stay.
Dettifoss waterfall from the east financial institution
Dettifoss, together with the smaller waterfalls, Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss, that are south and north of Dettifoss, have been declared protected.
Additionally, you will discover a very fairly horseshoe-shaped waterfall additional down the canyon referred to as Réttarfoss waterfall.
Selfoss waterfall
Selfoss as seen from the west financial institution – there’s a lot mist by the waterfall
The primary waterfall within the canyon known as the Selfoss waterfall.
It’s a stunning horseshoe-shaped waterfall, 10 meters excessive and really huge. I first visited it from the west financial institution of the glacial river, but it surely can’t be seen very nicely from there.
From the east financial institution, there’s a 1.4 km hike from Dettifoss waterfall. I’ve visited Selfoss from that aspect of the river as nicely, and components of it are very rocky, nothing main although, simply put on good mountain climbing sneakers.
Basalt columns as seen from the west financial institution by Selfoss waterfall – do not sit or stroll too near the sting
There are some very stunning basalt columns on both sides of Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river by Selfoss.
As you possibly can see in my photograph above then lots of the basalt columns have collapsed into the river, so steer clear of the perimeters.
Selfoss waterfall
There’s a city in South Iceland referred to as Selfoss, but it surely has nothing to do with this waterfall.
I’ve seen although that some folks get confused after they come to Selfoss city and see no waterfall, as “foss” in Icelandic means a waterfall.
Dettifoss waterfall – essentially the most highly effective of Iceland’s waterfalls
Dettifoss as seen from the west financial institution
Now let’s go to Dettifoss waterfall. Dettifoss is Iceland’s strongest waterfall and it’s got the wow issue massive time. It’s 44 meters excessive and 100 meters huge and has a movement of 193 m3/s.
Dettifoss might be visited from each the east financial institution and the west financial institution of Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river and there’s a completely totally different expertise visiting it from the east financial institution than visiting it from the west financial institution.
Dettifoss from the west financial institution
It’s superior standing near Dettifoss. Once I go to it I’m at all times in awe of how highly effective it truly is. I get a sense of unreality standing so near such forces of nature.
There may be numerous mist on the west financial institution so one is certain to get moist when standing so near this highly effective waterfall.
Dettifoss from the east financial institution
The highway to the west is paved, however the highway on the east aspect remains to be a bumpy gravel highway.
There’s a 15-minute hike all the way down to the waterfall from the car parking zone on the west financial institution. And from the east financial institution stone steps lead into the canyon.
From the east financial institution you possibly can stand even nearer to the mammoth roaring falls.
Steps main into Jökulsárgljúfur canyon
There are not any guardrails right here, though some ropes have been put up within the final couple of years, so let’s be very cautious right here.
I’ve seen folks taking very foolhardy dangers right here and my coronary heart at all times sinks once I see such behaviour.
That is nature at its strongest, and one can simply really feel dizzy when standing too near the sting.
Visiting Dettifoss from the east financial institution
A few hundred meters beneath Dettifoss waterfall you will see Hafragilsfoss waterfall.
Hafragilsfoss can be a lovely waterfall, much less visited than Dettifoss.
Hafragilsfoss waterfall
Hafragilsfoss as seen from the west aspect
Hafragilsfoss waterfall is 27 meters excessive and 91 meters huge, a mini Dettifoss.
This a part of the canyon known as Hafragilsundirlendi and it’s so stunning
Right here the canyon is 100 meters deep. The photograph above reveals you the waterfall from the west aspect.
Hafragilsfoss as seen from the east financial institution
There are a number of freshwater springs right here creating pretty small waterfalls that run into the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum.
And the place the freshwater meets the ice-cold gray glacial water essentially the most stunning blue and aquamarine colors seem.
Hafragilsundirlendi from the west financial institution – right here freshwater rivers meet Jökulsá á Fjöllum
The identify Hafragilsfoss means Buck Canyon fall.
In accordance with folklore, a giantess took 2 bucks in Öxarfjörður fjord, north of Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, the place Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river ends its course and joins the ocean.
She took these bucks to feed a shepherd she had kidnapped.
Trying into Jökulsá á Fjöllum
The giantess tied the bucks collectively by their horns, threw them up on her shoulder, and jumped over the glacial river on this spot.
She sat all the way down to relaxation and let the bucks graze – this spot has since that point been referred to as Hafragil – Buck gorge.
Hafragilsundirlendi as seen from the east financial institution
There may be one other folklore that tells us that Grettir sterki – Grettir the Robust did this soar, however one in every of his lairs, Grettisbæli, might be present in Vígabjarg by Forvöð just a little additional in Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.
Hafragilsfoss waterfall has bought an enormous mist/spray and resembles Dettifoss, solely on a smaller scale.
From each the west financial institution and the east financial institution you’ll have an important view of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon and the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum.
Hafragilsfoss as seen from the west financial institution
From the west financial institution, you’ve got a incredible view of what I wish to name an elf church.
Do not you agree with me on this – would not the basalt-column rock in my photograph beneath look identical to an elf church?
We’ve got bought many tales of encounters with the elves – hidden folks – of Iceland and many individuals have seen them by means of the ages enter rocks which may have been their church buildings or their habitations.
Photograph shot from the west financial institution – superb basalt column formations
I’ve written many travel-blogs concerning the habitations and church buildings of the elves. However I’ve not been capable of finding any folklore concerning the elves for this explicit rock, however wish to imagine that one exists 🙂
Forvöð and Réttarfoss waterfall
Réttarfoss from the east financial institution
One other stunning location in Jökulsárgljúfur canyon is Forvöð and Réttarfoss waterfall the place you possibly can attain the waterfall from the east aspect.
By Forvöð in Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, there’s an hour’s hike all the way down to a horseshoe-shaped waterfall referred to as Réttarfoss waterfall.
This can be a very fascinating hike with plenty of stunning, basalt column formations and historic sights, f.ex. one of many Grettisbæli – the Lair of Grettir the Robust – is to be discovered at Forvöð.
Grettisbæli – one of many lairs of Grettir the Robust in Vígabjarg in Jökulsárgljúfur canyon
You can too go to Hólmatungur from the west aspect which is a panoramic space, which has turn out to be one in every of my favorite areas in Iceland.
From there you possibly can hike up the small mountain Ytra-Þórunnarfjall and see the Réttarfoss waterfall from above.
Réttarfoss waterfall from the west financial institution
The hike begins from the car parking zone at Hólmatungur and is comparatively straightforward, a path will take you up the small mountain and then you definitely stroll on the sting of the canyon. It’s nicely price together with it in your go to to Hólmatungur.
Hólmatungur
A anonymous little waterfall in Hólmatungur merges with Jökulsá á Fjöllum
Jökulsá á Fjöllum then runs by means of the attractive Hólmatungur. That is only a brief preview of Hólmatungur, however I’ll write extra in one other travel-blog. This space is so breathtaking, that I wish to dedicate a particular travel-blog to it.
Above is likely one of the fairly sights by Jökulsá á Fjöllum, however many small rivers and creeks cascade fantastically into Jökulsá á Fjöllum and add to the amount of this huge glacial river on its method to the ocean.
This waterfall might be seen from Katlar in Hólmatungur.
The ruggedly stunning Jökulsárgljúfur canyon – Réttarbjarg within the distance
Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river ran in 2 river beds and in 1920 it began working into the west river mattress solely with nice pressure, however that river mattress was once the smaller one of many two branches of the glacial river.
Thus it stopped working into the east river mattress the place the forceful glacial river had created the huge Vígabergsfoss/Vígabjargsfoss.
The one water that’s left in that spot is the clear floor water from a creek coming from beneath Réttarbjarg cliff. (Ref. Jökulsárgljúfur by Sigrún Helgadóttir).
The attractive oasis Hólmatungur in Jökulsárgljúfur canyon
A beautiful hike, which has now turn out to be one in every of my favorite hikes in Iceland, takes you from Hólmatungur to Hólmárfossar waterfalls, which cascade fantastically into Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river.
You possibly can both hike by the sting of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon or by a lovely river additional up. I really like that hike and can add a particular travel-blog about this hike.
Hólmárfossar waterfalls take my breath away each time I go to them 🙂
The photograph above is taken from the south aspect of Hólmárfossar waterfalls and should you stroll additional on by the river Stallar, which can be a lovely hike, you attain a ford within the river the place the hike continues up on prime of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon and additional on to Hljóðaklettar – the Echo cliffs.
I handed the ford as I needed to see the place the river Stallar merged with Jökulsá á Fjöllum.
Hólmárfossar merge with Jökulsá á Fjöllum and add to the amount of the glacial river
Right here Jökulsá á Fjöllum is getting more and more extra forceful with all of the smaller rivers merging with it.
There are numerous different smaller waterfalls that run into Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river earlier than the river reaches the fairytale-like a part of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon referred to as Hljóðaklettar or Echo Rocks.
Hljóðaklettar
Jökulsá á Fjöllum and Hljóðaklettar
Hljóðaklettar is a cluster of columnar rock formations creating all types of figures.
It’s like getting into one other world and it is likely one of the most superb locations in Iceland, in my view.
These unusual rock formations a lot of which stand by the Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river, are what’s left of erupting volcanos some 9,000 years in the past.
Hljóðaklettar volcanic plugs as seen from above
These volcanic plugs have been eroded by means of the centuries by the forceful currents of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river.
Catastrophic floods in Jökulsá á Fjöllum washed the volcanic materials away, creating this fairytale world for us to go to.
There are a number of breathtaking hikes in Hljóðaklettar, one in every of which takes you on a hike amongst superb basalt column formations and to the huge cave referred to as the Church.
The two trolls have been too late to succeed in their cave and have been became stone by Jökulsá á Fjöllum
I’ll solely present you a couple of images from this ruggedly stunning place, as my travel-blog is concerning the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum which runs within the canyon and passes Hljóðaklettar.
One of many hikes takes you all the way down to the glacial river the place you possibly can pay a go to to Karl and Kerling, the 2 trolls who have been out partying at evening and did not attain their collapse time.
You possibly can see how huge these trolls are by Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river
However as we Icelanders know then the evening trolls (nátttröll) can’t tolerate daylight and are became stone in the event that they see the primary rays of the solar 😉
Normally once you see a troll couple in Iceland, then the Kerling (the Giantess) is larger than the Karl (the Big or Troll). However right here in Hljóðaklettar, I’ve learn that the male Troll is larger than the feminine Troll.
It’s nicely price visiting the trolls if solely to face subsequent to the huge glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum.
By Rauðhólar – the Purple Hills by Jökulsá á Fjöllum
You can too hike to Rauðhólar when you’ve got sufficient time to spare right here at Hljóðaklettar. That hike will take you a bit additional than Hljóðaklettar and it’s a should in my view.
At Rauðhólar you’ll f.ex. see these two crimson pillars, which I discover superb. They seem like they’re from one other planet.
Purple lava pillars at Rauðhólar
From right here you’ve got essentially the most superb view of Hljóðaklettar and Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river from above.
Additional north is my favorite place in Iceland, the attractive horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi. It’s believed that Jökulsá á Fjöllum ran by means of Ásbyrgi, however modified its course and now runs east of it.
Hljóðaklettar as seen from above
A bit bit additional north is one other bridge over the river on highway 85 and from there, you possibly can see how the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum runs its course in Öxarfjörður fjord after travelling for 206 km.
I suppose that you just perceive now why the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon is my favorite canyon in Iceland and that I by no means tire of visiting it 🙂
Jökulsá á Fjöllum near the estuary of the glacial river
Highway 862 on the west financial institution is now paved all the best way.
It was once paved to Dettifoss solely, however in the summertime and autumn of 2020, the unhealthy gravel was lastly paved, all the best way all the way down to highway 85.
Highway 864 on the east financial institution is a nasty gravel highway all the best way to highway 85.
Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river
This can be a summer season go to solely until you be part of a guided tour.
