{"id":2857,"date":"2022-01-05T17:00:19","date_gmt":"2022-01-05T17:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/icelandaurora.com\/tours\/?p=2857"},"modified":"2023-11-19T13:53:07","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T13:53:07","slug":"fjadrargljufur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/fjadrargljufur\/","title":{"rendered":"Fja\u00f0r\u00e1rglj\u00fafur Canyon – East Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fja\u00f0r\u00e1rglj\u00fafur river gorge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Close to Kirkjub\u00e6jarklaustur, in South East Iceland, the Fja\u00f0r\u00e1rglj\u00fafur river canyon is a river gorge with stunning geology.  Flood waters from the Vatnjokull  glacier are thought to have carved the deep gorge over several thousands of years.  The sight of the Fja\u00f0r\u00e1r river could have been dramatic when the whole gorge would have been filled by glacier melt water after huge volcanic eruptions under the Vatnjokull glacier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From above, the canyon looks as if a big zipper has ripped apart the gorge.\u00a0 There is a very tight \u201cS\u201d bend in the river. The river winds through the canyon, and in good conditions, it is possible to wade in the river. This should not be attempted after heavy rainfall or alone. The best angle for light is a secret that only local guides know. But it becomes obvious when you visit the Fja\u00f0r\u00e1rglj\u00fafur river canyon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fja\u00f0r\u00e1rglj\u00fafur<\/a>
Buy this photo in the gallery!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Access to the river gorge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The river gorge is not far from the main highway (route 1).\u00a0 From Reykjavik, the access road (206) is on your left, just after the huge lava field ends.\u00a0 From the east, the turn is on the right, about 5 minutes outside of Kirkjubaerklautstur. The road to the Fja\u00f0r\u00e1rglj\u00fafur canyon turns into a rough, winding track to a car park. The track is okay for regular cars but uncomfortable.\u00a0 The road can be closed after heavy snow. Then access is only possible over a winter track, which needs a 4\u00d74, or to hike from the farmhouse at Hunkabakka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Landscape Prints<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

There is quite a steep road up to Hunkubakka Farm<\/a>, so if it is slippery, it might not be possible.  There are now marked walking routes up the East bank of the canyon. Visitors are encourage not to venture beyond the marked zones for flora protection. There are public toilets at the site, but we can\u2019t guarantee they will be open for Winter tourism. There is a nice waterfall at the top of the hiking trail.  Most of the successful photos have been taken from the higher points of the gorge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Stay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As Kirkjub\u00e6jarklaustur is just an hour drive from Vik and an hour from Skaftafell National Park, it is a good central location for an east Iceland overnight stay.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sponsored<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kirkjub\u00e6jarklaustur Hotels<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These hotels and guesthouses are a short drive from the Fja\u00f0r\u00e1rglj\u00fafur River Canyon. My strong recommendation is the Adventure Hotel Geirland<\/a>, with good quality rooms and a decent restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The closest to Fja\u00f0r\u00e1rglj\u00fafur is Hunkubakkar Guesthouse<\/a> which is actually walking distance to the canyon.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n \r\n Booking.com<\/a>\r\n<\/ins>