Múlagljúfur Canyon has all the pieces you might need in an Iceland hike – waterfalls, glacier views, and rugged landscapes galore. Mountain climbing Múlagljúfur Canyon was certainly one of our favourite days in Iceland, and certainly one of our high hikes in all our time on this lovely nation. It’s a comparatively fast hike that just about any customer can full and provides unimaginable 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 Concerning the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike
You will have seen Iceland journey pictures of a rugged and deep canyon with views of not one, however two unimaginable waterfalls; that is Múlagljúfur Canyon! This 5.8km out-and-back path contains an elevation achieve of 367m and could be accomplished by hikers of all ages. From the primary viewpoint, you can 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 primary viewpoint alongside a steeper path.
Certainly one of our favourite issues concerning the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike is that it’s felt comparatively untouched and never practically as busy as many different vacationer areas in Iceland. You’ll not discover the standard crowds or a car parking zone stuffed with tour buses that may generally be discovered at different vacationer spots in Iceland; in reality, if you happen to get fortunate like we did, you might have the path practically all to your self!
We discovered that the path was not at all times well-marked, however it’s straightforward sufficient to seek out your manner. The hike begins with a gradual elevation achieve in your method to the canyon. On this method, additionally, you will encounter two creek crossings; the water depth on the time of our go to meant that we might make the crossings simply with out getting moist in any respect.
Nonetheless, this may occasionally not at all times be the case relying on the various climate circumstances all year long. As you proceed mountaineering in direction of the primary viewpoint, there are a selection of paths of various distance from the canyon edge; relying in your stage of consolation, you could want to keep farther from the sting because it’s a straight drop-off.
When you attain the primary viewpoint, you can be rewarded with views of two unimaginable waterfalls and water operating by means of the canyon ground. Alongside the path, additionally, you will be capable of catch a view of the close by Fjallsárlón Iceberg Lagoon and Fjallsjökull Glacier. As talked about, you might also resolve 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.
Making ready in your hike
As with all exercise in Iceland, you’ll want to guarantee that you’re ready with correct clothes and footwear. The climate can change in a short time and hikers ought to at all times be ready for opposed circumstances corresponding to sturdy winds, rain, and even snow. You will get a little bit of all the pieces in Iceland! Earlier than embarking on any hike we are going to usually examine AllTrails for evaluations and up to date path circumstances 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. Making certain that you just put on supportive mountaineering footwear or boots may even enable you to to navigate the rugged and generally slippery terrain. In fact, bringing ample water and a small first support equipment with important gadgets can be necessary.
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How one can get to Múlagljúfur Canyon
The Múlagljúfur Canyon hike could be simply accessed from the Ring Highway within the southeast area of Iceland. We visited the canyon on a day after we have been touring between the cities of Vik and Höfn on a counter-clockwise tour of the Ring Highway. The turn-off for Múlagljúfur Canyon could 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 proper spot for the path, because the street shouldn’t be 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. It is very important observe that this 2km street shouldn’t be totally paved, and you’ll have to drive fastidiously alongside the bumpy and rocky terrain. We have been nervous after 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 tip of the street; right here you can find a small parking space and the trailhead.
How Troublesome is the Múlagljúfur hike?
AllTrails charges the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike as arduous, however we discovered this to be extra of a reasonable hike. There’s nothing technical concerning the path, and the incline is pretty regular all the manner (however not too tough). The steepest sections are situated close to the tip of the hike as we continued previous the primary viewpoint to get a greater view of Múlafoss. Many 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 might really feel a bit cautious and watch their footing.
If you’re an skilled hiker, you’ll probably discover this path to be a comparatively fast and reasonably strenuous hike. We personally accomplished the hike all the best way to the tip of the path inside 2-3 hours, permitting loads of stops for pictures.
This quick day hike leaves you with additional time to discover the various different close by websites within the space corresponding to Svínafellsjökull Glacier, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and Diamond Seaside (however extra on these areas later!). These with much less mountaineering expertise might discover this path harder; alter your time expectations primarily based 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 primarily had all the path to ourselves and there have been solely a few different vehicles parked on the trailhead after we arrived. In fact, relying on the time of day and season of your Iceland go to, the path could be kind of busy than this.
If you’re visiting within the late morning and early afternoon, you may discover the path busier. Whereas this path was once certainly one of Iceland’s lesser-known areas, it has gained in recognition lately due to its photogenic nature. Nonetheless, you can 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 certainly one 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 fantastic addition to our already jam-packed day, together with Dyrhólaey Peninsula, Reynisfjara Seaside, the city of Vik, Fjadrargljufur Canyon, and extra. Even with all the unimaginable sights situated in southeast Iceland, the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike is one which we might undoubtedly not wish 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 quick, which 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 every one of our meals might be eaten on the street.
It’s also necessary 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 areas listed beneath all in sooner or later as we traveled between the cities of Vík and Höfn. Relying in your journey itinerary, you might take into account visiting the areas 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 includes a well-equipped (and in style) campsite with beautiful 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) situated on the Vík Campsite.
Dyrhólaey
This location is technically backtracking in your manner from Vík to Múlagljúfur Canyon (it’s situated west of Vík as an alternative of heading east towards Múlagljúfur Canyon). Nonetheless, we didn’t have time to go to on the day past, and didn’t wish to miss this location. To achieve this spot, you’ll drive up a winding street in your strategy to a lighthouse viewpoint. Alongside the best way, it is possible for you to to sneak a view of Reynisfjara Seaside 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 might have spent all day watching and photographing the a whole bunch of puffins right here, however we had a busy day forward!
Reynisfjara Seaside
Once more, Reynisfjara Seaside was a little bit of a backtrack as it’s situated west of Vík the place we had spent the earlier night time, however that is one other spot that we didn’t wish to miss. Reynisfjara Seaside 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 might get crowded, I might say that this distinctive spot is in style for a cause.
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 notice indicators right here warning guests of the harmful and highly effective waves alongside this seaside; keep in mind at all times 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 find a well-maintained uphill path to a viewing platform the place you’ll be able to see Mögáfoss waterfall descending into the canyon. Whereas the views have been much less spectacular than these of Múlagljúfur Canyon, this spot was nonetheless definitely worth the cease.
Svínafellsjökull Glacier
One other quick detour from the Ring Highway, Svínafellsjökull Glacier was a worthwhile cease roughly 40 minutes from Múlagljúfur Canyon. Right here you can find 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 footage didn’t do that place justice; it was superb to view the depth and coloration of this spectacular glacier.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Seaside
Final, however actually not least, we visited Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and close by Diamond Seaside to finish our day, that are two of the very best issues to do in Iceland. As a result of we visited late within the night, neither of those areas have been significantly busy. We took pictures and walked the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon’s lakeshore. Subsequent, we crossed to the alternative facet of the Ring Highway to go to Diamond Seaside, named for the big chunks of ice that relaxation on the seaside. Visiting these in style spots was a fantastic 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? Get monetary savings by consuming in and cooking for your self. Take a look at our Iceland grocery retailer information for all the guidelines!
Iceland is without doubt one of the most secure international locations on the earth; nonetheless, it’s at all times necessary to make use of frequent sense when strolling alone at night time.
Iceland has a powerful web infrastructure, and it is best to be capable of keep linked simply.
Even with so many unimaginable sights to see in Iceland and alongside the Ring Highway, the hike to Múlagljúfur Canyon stays certainly one of our favourite actions! Múlagljúfur Canyon is certainly value a go to in your subsequent journey to Iceland, and a spot that I might extremely suggest.
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