Eldgja, which means "fire canyon" in Icelandic, is well named. It is a volcanic fissure that has created a deep and wide canyon.
I visited Eldgja with a local guide and a 4x4 for a day's excursion in the direction of Landmannalaugar. To reach the rhyolite mountains, we stopped at the foot of the canyon - the track runs along the fissure - to admire the landscape and the striking contrast of colours between these steep hills. The ground is black with chunks of lava from Katla volcano and the vegetation is composed of green moss, sometimes with very vivid colours. It's stunning!
We didn't continue as far as the very beautiful Ófærufoss waterfall, which can be the destination for a short hike off the beaten track.
Eldgja, which means "fire canyon" in Icelandic, is well named. It is a volcanic fissure that has created a deep and wide canyon.
I visited Eldgja with a local guide and a 4x4 for a day's excursion in the direction of Landmannalaugar. To reach the rhyolite mountains, we stopped at the foot of the canyon - the track runs along the fissure - to admire the landscape and the striking contrast of colours between these steep hills. The ground is black with chunks of lava from Katla volcano and the vegetation is composed of green moss, sometimes with very vivid colours. It's stunning!
We didn't continue as far as the very beautiful Ófærufoss waterfall, which can be the destination for a short hike off the beaten track.