Hólmatungur

North Iceland

Spring-fed streams emerge from the canyon walls at Hólmatungur, fanning across the valley in clear channels and small waterfalls before joining the cloudy glacial Jökulsá á Fjöllum. The contrast between crystal springs and the silty main river is striking. Lush vegetation — angelica, wildflowers, low trees — clings to the cliffsides, giving this stretch of Jökulsárgljúfur an unusually green character for Iceland. The main loop (trail H1) covers about 4.5 km in one to two hours, following the Hólmá river west to Hólmárfossar waterfalls and returning along the Jökulsá. A harder extension, trail H2, branches to Katlar where the river narrows into a gorge with dramatic whirlpools. Hólmatungur sits midway along the canyon between Dettifoss to the south and Ásbyrgi to the north — a natural stop on the multi-day canyon trail. Access is via Road 862 north from the Ring Road, then east on Road 887 to the gravel car park at Ytra-Þórunnarfjall — no 4x4 required. Entry is free inside Vatnajökull National Park. Trails are reliably open June through September only; camping is not permitted here.

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