Múlagljúfur Canyon has every thing you would need in an Iceland hike – waterfalls, glacier views, and rugged landscapes galore. Mountain climbing Múlagljúfur Canyon was one in every of our favourite days in Iceland, and one in every of our prime hikes in all our time on this lovely nation. It’s a comparatively fast hike that just about any customer can full and gives unbelievable 360-degree views! However how lengthy does the hike take, how difficult is that this hike, how are the crowds, and what all do you have to count on in your day hike? We’ll break down all of the specifics right here!
All In regards to the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike
You’ll have seen Iceland journey pictures of a rugged and deep canyon with views of not one, however two unbelievable waterfalls; that is Múlagljúfur Canyon! This 5.8km out-and-back path consists of an elevation achieve of 367m and may be accomplished by hikers of all ages. From the principle viewpoint, you may be rewarded with views of Hangandifoss and Múlafoss waterfalls, two of essentially the most lovely Iceland waterfalls. For a greater view of Múlafoss waterfall, nestled on the far finish of the canyon, proceed previous the principle viewpoint alongside a steeper path.
One in all our favourite issues concerning the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike is that it’s felt comparatively untouched and never almost as busy as many different vacationer places in Iceland. You’ll not discover the standard crowds or a car parking zone stuffed with tour buses that may typically be discovered at different vacationer spots in Iceland; the truth is, should you get fortunate like we did, you might have the path almost all to your self!
We discovered that the path was not all the time well-marked, however it’s straightforward sufficient to search out your manner. The hike begins with a gradual elevation achieve in your strategy to the canyon. On this strategy, additionally, you will encounter two creek crossings; the water depth on the time of our go to meant that we may make the crossings simply with out getting moist in any respect.
Nevertheless, this will not all the time be the case relying on the various climate situations all year long. As you proceed mountain climbing in direction of the principle viewpoint, there are a selection of paths of various distance from the canyon edge; relying in your stage of consolation, it’s possible you’ll want to keep farther from the sting because it’s a straight drop-off.
When you attain the principle viewpoint, you may be rewarded with views of two unbelievable waterfalls and water working by means of the canyon ground. Alongside the path, additionally, you will be capable to catch a view of the close by Fjallsárlón Iceberg Lagoon and Fjallsjökull Glacier. As talked about, you might also determine to increase your hike to get a greater view of Múlafoss, the waterfall that may be seen within the distance on the finish of the canyon.
Getting ready in your hike
As with all exercise in Iceland, it would be best to guarantee that you’re ready with correct clothes and footwear. The climate can change in a short time and hikers ought to all the time be ready for opposed situations resembling sturdy winds, rain, and even snow. You may get a little bit of every thing in Iceland! Earlier than embarking on any hike we are going to usually test AllTrails for critiques and up to date path situations written by fellow hikers. With any journey in Iceland, it’s advisable to concentrate to the climate on Vedur.is, as this hike wouldn’t be a lot enjoyable in a downpour.
Dressing in layers, together with a water/windproof jacket, is a good suggestion. Guaranteeing that you simply put on supportive mountain climbing sneakers or boots may also allow you to to navigate the rugged and typically slippery terrain. In fact, bringing sufficient water and a small first support package with important objects can be vital.
What to Pack for Iceland • Our Final Iceland Packing Record
Methods to get to Múlagljúfur Canyon
The Múlagljúfur Canyon hike may be simply accessed from the Ring Highway within the southeast area of Iceland. We visited the canyon on a day once we had been touring between the cities of Vik and Höfn on a counter-clockwise tour of the Ring Highway. The turn-off for Múlagljúfur Canyon may be discovered roughly 180km east of the city of Vik and roughly 92km west of the close by city of Höfn. We relied on Google Maps to information us to the right spot for the path, because the street is just not well-marked.
After turning off the Ring Highway, one other 8-minute drive down the 2km street will get you to the parking space for the hike. You will need to be aware that this 2km street is just not absolutely paved, and you’ll have to drive rigorously alongside the bumpy and rocky terrain. We had been nervous once we first began driving alongside the street, however we drove slowly and didn’t have any issues navigating this with our 2WD van. Proceed driving till you attain the top of the street; right here you can see a small parking space and the trailhead.
How Tough is the Múlagljúfur hike?
AllTrails charges the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike as arduous, however we discovered this to be extra of a average hike. There may be nothing technical concerning the path, and the incline is pretty regular all the manner (however not too tough). The steepest sections are positioned close to the top of the hike as we continued previous the principle viewpoint to get a greater view of Múlafoss. A lot of the path is simple to observe, nonetheless, there have been a few occasions the place we consulted the offline map of the path (which we downloaded beforehand). There are a few spots the place the paths observe the cliff edge, so these with a concern of heights or elevation could really feel a bit cautious and watch their footing.
If you’re an skilled hiker, you’ll seemingly discover this path to be a comparatively fast and reasonably strenuous hike. We personally accomplished the hike all the best way to the top of the path inside 2-3 hours, permitting loads of stops for pictures.
This brief day hike leaves you with additional time to discover the various different close by websites within the space resembling Svínafellsjökull Glacier, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and Diamond Seashore (however extra on these places later!). These with much less mountain climbing expertise could discover this path tougher; regulate your time expectations based mostly by yourself stage of expertise!
How Busy is the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike?
We took benefit of Iceland’s lengthy summer time days and accomplished this hike on a late afternoon/early night in July. Fortunately, we basically had all the path to ourselves and there have been solely a few different vehicles parked on the trailhead once we arrived. In fact, relying on the time of day and season of your Iceland go to, the path could be roughly busy than this.
If you’re visiting within the late morning and early afternoon, you may discover the path busier. Whereas this path was one in every of Iceland’s lesser-known places, it has gained in reputation in recent times because of its photogenic nature. Nevertheless, you may be removed from the tour buses and crowds that may be discovered at lots of Iceland’s different pure wonders; that is maybe why Múlagljúfur Canyon was one in every of our favourite stops on our Ring Highway journey.
How lengthy does it take to hike Múlagljúfur Canyon?
We accomplished the hike in roughly two hours with loads of stops for pictures and breaks. Any of the viewpoints could be a tremendous place to cease for lunch or a snack. This hike was a terrific addition to our already jam-packed day, together with Dyrhólaey Peninsula, Reynisfjara Seashore, the city of Vik, Fjadrargljufur Canyon, and extra. Even with the entire unbelievable sights positioned in southeast Iceland, the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike is one which we might undoubtedly not need to miss.
Issues to see within the Múlagljúfur Canyon space
As talked about, one of many perks of the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike is that it’s comparatively brief, that means we had loads of time for different sightseeing on the identical day. As a result of we visited in July, we had the benefit of Iceland’s lengthy summer time days, and touring in a camper van in Iceland meant that each one of our meals may very well be eaten on the street.
It is usually vital to notice that we had a really jam-packed schedule, as we accomplished the Ring Highway in solely seven nights; we managed to go to every of the places listed beneath all in in the future as we traveled between the cities of Vík and Höfn. Relying in your journey itinerary, you would think about visiting the places listed beneath on the identical day as Múlagljúfur Canyon.
Vík
Vík, a city in southern Iceland, was the primary in a single day cease on our Ring Highway itinerary. The city encompasses a well-equipped (and standard) campsite with pretty cliffside views, in addition to the often-photographed Vík í Mýrdal church. If you’re staying the night time or simply passing by means of, don’t miss the superior Skool Beans Cafe (inbuilt an precise yellow faculty bus) positioned on the Vík Campsite.
Dyrhólaey
This location is technically backtracking in your manner from Vík to Múlagljúfur Canyon (it’s positioned west of Vík as an alternative of heading east towards Múlagljúfur Canyon). Nevertheless, we didn’t have time to go to on the day prior to this, and didn’t need to miss this location. To achieve this spot, you’ll drive up a winding street in your solution to a lighthouse viewpoint. Alongside the best way, it is possible for you to to sneak a view of Reynisfjara Seashore within the distance.
From the point of view, it is possible for you to to see the well-known Dyrhólaey rock arch reaching into the ocean. The perk for me, although, was the colony of puffins perched alongside the cliffside. I may have spent all day watching and photographing the a whole bunch of puffins right here, however we had a busy day forward!
Reynisfjara Seashore
Once more, Reynisfjara Seashore was a little bit of a backtrack as it’s positioned west of Vík the place we had spent the earlier night time, however that is one other spot that we didn’t need to miss. Reynisfjara Seashore is legendary for its black sand, basalt columns, and sea stacks. On the day we visited, we discovered many different vacationers right here having fun with the views. Whereas it will probably get crowded, I might say that this distinctive spot is standard for a purpose.
We spent a while venturing alongside the seaside marveling on the volcanic black sand and located that there have been much less folks as we made our manner farther from the car parking zone. You will note indicators right here warning guests of the harmful and highly effective waves alongside this seaside; keep in mind all the time to obey security guidelines and by no means flip your again on the waves.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
One other hike with waterfall and canyon views, we spent roughly an hour at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. Right here you can see a well-maintained uphill path to a viewing platform the place you may see Mögáfoss waterfall descending into the canyon. Whereas the views had been much less spectacular than these of Múlagljúfur Canyon, this spot was nonetheless definitely worth the cease.
Svínafellsjökull Glacier
One other brief detour from the Ring Highway, Svínafellsjökull Glacier was a worthwhile cease roughly 40 minutes from Múlagljúfur Canyon. Right here you can see a small car parking zone and a brief stroll alongside a gravel street will result in views of Svínafellsjökull Glacier and its glacier lagoon. We discovered that photos didn’t do that place justice; it was superb to view the depth and colour of this spectacular glacier.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Seashore
Final, however actually not least, we visited Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and close by Diamond Seashore to finish our day, that are two of the finest issues to do in Iceland. As a result of we visited late within the night, neither of those places had been significantly busy. We took pictures and walked the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon’s lakeshore. Subsequent, we crossed to the alternative aspect of the Ring Highway to go to Diamond Seashore, named for the big chunks of ice that relaxation on the seaside. Visiting these standard spots was a terrific finish to an epic day in southern Iceland!
Extra Useful Iceland Journey Ideas
- Icelanders converse Icelandic, however each single individual I got here throughout spoke English.
- The native forex is the Icelandic króna (ISK). ATMs are discovered all through the nation.
- Have I discussed Iceland is dear? Lower your expenses by consuming in and cooking for your self. Try our Iceland grocery retailer information for all the ideas!
- Iceland is among the most secure international locations on the planet; nonetheless, it’s all the time vital to make use of frequent sense when strolling alone at night time.
- Iceland has a powerful web infrastructure, and it’s best to be capable to keep related simply.
Even with so many unbelievable sights to see in Iceland and alongside the Ring Highway, the hike to Múlagljúfur Canyon stays one in every of our favourite actions! Múlagljúfur Canyon is unquestionably value a go to in your subsequent journey to Iceland, and a spot that I might extremely advocate.
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