Ásbyrgi

Fun place to get back to nature with fewer people. Although when we were there, there was a local camp event for kids going on. There were WCs. The bird watching was stellar.

Asbyrgi is yet another remarkable land formation in Iceland. It is located off Route 861 and is one of the major natural attractions that form what is referred to as the Diamond Circle in the north of Iceland. There is a Visitor Centre with free carpark and toilets where you will find a handful of trails leading into Asbyrgi, a horseshoe shaped canyon with a partly forested valley lined with tall cliffs. There is also a trail that climbs the valley cliffside and allows you to walk the rim to the end of the canyon where you are afforded remarkable downward views of the canyon floor, a tranquil lake and forested area. There is also a road that enters the canyon, ending at a small carpark near the lake at the southern end. The lake waters are crystal clear. You can see quite a few Artic Char swimming around. The cliffs that bend around the lake are home to numerous nesting birds as well. There are free toilets to use at the carpark here as well. Overall, we loved the natural geology and geography of Asbyrgi. The canyon floor forests and birdlife were very nice to see, while walking the canyon rim provided incredible views and photo opportunities as well as a chance to get some exercise. This is one of those special memorable places in Iceland that we'd love to revisit someday.

Peaceful and flat trail to a newly assembled boardwalk viewpoint or 2, this is such a quaint and quiet little pond along the back wall of the horseshoe shaped canyon. Free parking, restrooms and picnic space on site. Mostly accessible, though there are a few steps down to the mid-pond lookout.

The quiet peace by the water was truly magical! And appreciated the plaques along the trail which told you all about the flora and fauna.

Easy to reach and pleasantly uncrowded, Ásbyrgi offers stunning views and unique landscapes. A calm and beautiful spot, perfect for a quiet visit.

A beautiful canyon in the north of Iceland. Fall colors are some of the best in Iceland.

Very cool experience even in the rain and low visibility. We opted to drive up the canyon instead of hiking the rim due to poor visibility the day we were there. The trails from the parking lot wind through a forest where you have views of the canyon walls. They lead you to a lake and small waterfall. The lake is extremely clear and you can see arctic char swimming all around the lake. There are secondary trails you can take and get right up close the the canyon walls and even find little caves.

I actually drove past Ásbyrgi, but turned around and stopped in at the visitor center. I asked the attendant if there was a fee, and how far of a drive it was. She was very nice & helpful. I am very glad I turned around because this area is amazing if you're into nature, waterfalls, geology, mythology and folklore! This is a horse-shoe shaped canyon, and without going into too much detail, one myth it is that Sleipnir touched this ground with one of his eight hooves. There are other folktales, but I'll leave that for you to discover.