Breakfast at your hotel.
Today you will be hiking in the northern part of Vatnajokull National Park, the largest national park in Western Europe. The park is named after vast Vatnajokull Glacier and covers about 14% of Iceland’s surface.
Drive around the fossil-rich Tjornes Peninsula on the edge of the Arctic Circle as you head to Vatnajokull National Park. Your first discovery in the park is the enormous horseshoe-shaped Asbyrgi canyon. According to Norse mythology, the canyon is the hoof-print left by Sleipnir, the god Odinn‘s magical eight-legged horse. Take a trail leading to the bottom of the canyon with views of an enchanting pond as well as an area where you can look over the canyon. Continue onwards to Hljodaklettar or ‘Echo Rocks’, a distinctive cluster of angular rock columns. The unique shape of the rocks creates interesting acoustics and echoes. Hljodaklettar is near Jokulsargljufur, Iceland’s longest canyon. The canyon was carved by a river flowing from Vatnajokull Glacier.
Spend the remainder of your afternoon exploring the lush vegetation and forested areas of Hlodaklettar where stones stand like troll sentinels. (hiking route can be adjusted to the level of the group).
The day ends with an unforgettable visit to Europe’s mightiest waterfall, Dettifoss, a thundering cascade of glacial water and mist among shattered cliffs. An easy trail leads you down to the waterfall. Afterwards, return to the Lake Myvatn area for your overnight.
Dinner and overnight in the Myvatn area.
Hiking information for Ásbyrgi: Distance: 1 km - Elevation: Very little - Walking time: About 30 minutes to 1 hour
Hiking information for Hljóðaklettar: Distance: 10 km - Elevation: 50-100 m Walking time: 4-4,5 hours (several trails combined)