Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Iceland: Trail Length, Difficulty & Parking Fee (2026)

Quick Facts Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

The Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in Iceland

The canyon was carved by the Fjaðrá River, which originates far away in the Highlands. The impressive gorge reaches depths of up to 100 meters in places and stretches roughly 2 kilometers in length. The basalt rock the canyon is carved from is around 2 million years old – but the canyon actually got its present shape much more recently, toward the end of the last ice age around 9,000 to 10,000 years ago, when a sediment-rich glacial river cut through the soft ground beneath. Since the river looks so modest today, it’s hard to imagine how it carved out this canyon over the millennia. As a colorful contrast to the grey rock, the gorge is still covered in huge amounts of grass and moss, which only adds to the atmosphere.

The Meaning Behind the Name “Fjaðrárgljúfur”

The name “Fjaðrárgljúfur” combines the name of the river flowing through the canyon, “Fjaðrá,” with “gljúfur,” the Icelandic word for gorge or canyon. “Fjaðrá” can be translated as “feather river,” a nod to the soft, feather-like currents of the clear water winding elegantly through the gorge.

How to Get to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon lies right next to the Ring Road, about three and a half hours from Reykjavík. To reach the canyon, follow the Ring Road and then turn onto Road 206. Although Road 206 is a gravel road, it’s usually passable for most vehicle types during the summer months.

If you’d like to explore Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon without your own vehicle, we’d recommend a guided tour*. This lets you visit the canyon along with other highlights in South Iceland in a single day.

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in Iceland is between May and September, when access is easiest and the weather is most pleasant. In summer, the midnight sun also means you can visit the canyon very early or very late in the day. Keep in mind that the canyon can occasionally be closed to visitors in spring during bird nesting season, to protect local wildlife. It’s worth checking for possible access restrictions before you go.

Parking at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Near the entrance to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, there’s a parking area that serves as the starting point for your hike. From there, you can follow the marked paths along the canyon. During peak season, the parking lot and hiking paths can get quite busy. Visiting early can help you avoid the busiest times and enjoy the canyon’s calm undisturbed.

Entrance Fee

Entrance and parking at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon are free, as is the case at most of Iceland’s natural highlights.

Why the Canyon Keeps Getting Closed

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon was a well-kept secret for a long time – until Justin Bieber filmed his “I’ll Show You” music video here in 2015. Visitor numbers shot up afterward: from around 150,000 in 2017 to over 280,000 in 2018. Because so many visitors strayed off the marked paths, the fragile vegetation suffered so much damage that Iceland’s Environment Agency had to close the gorge completely for the first time in 2018. Since then, short closures – usually no longer than two weeks – happen mainly in spring and autumn, when the ground is soft from snowmelt and rain. You can check the current access status at safetravel.is.

Hiking at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

The hike along the canyon takes 1-2 hours and is easy to walk. From the parking lot, a narrow trail follows the edge of the gorge for about an hour to a waterfall that cascades into the canyon, then leads back to the parking lot. Along the way, there are several small, natural “viewpoints” right at the edge of the steep drop-off. These are currently closed for conservation reasons, as mentioned above. Plan for about 2 hours total on site to allow enough time for breaks and photos.

Quick Facts About the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Hike:

• Length: 6.5 km (round trip)
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Loop: no
• Elevation gain: 140 meters
• Difficulty: easy

Flying Drones

When we visited in 2021, we were able to fly our drone without any issues – and we certainly didn’t need to be told twice. The river has carved deep into the gorge here, leaving behind a wonderfully rugged landscape that looks completely different from the air.

That’s changed since 2024: Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is now a protected nature reserve, and flying a drone requires a permit from Iceland’s Environment Agency (Umhverfisstofnun) – so simply trying your luck on site, like we did, is no longer an option. Check the current drone rules for Iceland beforehand and apply for the permit well ahead of your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Is Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon currently accessible?

The canyon is usually open year-round, but can be temporarily closed in spring and autumn due to soft, muddy trails. Check the current status on safetravel.is before you go.

Can I fly a drone at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon?

Only with a permit from Umhverfisstofnun, since the gorge became a protected nature reserve in 2024.

How long does the hike at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon take?

Plan for 1-2 hours for the 6.5 km round trip, plus extra time for photo stops.

Does it cost anything to visit Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon?

No, entrance and parking are both free.

Why did Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon become famous?

Mostly thanks to Justin Bieber’s music video “I’ll Show You” (2015), which caused visitor numbers to spike.