Sigöldugljúfur

Highlands

Sigöldugljúfur exists because of a dam. Before the Sigalda hydroelectric plant was built in the late 1970s, this stretch of valley was submerged. Lowering the water level exposed a canyon roughly two kilometres long and up to 30 metres deep, its basalt walls riddled with springs. Those springs now feed dozens of waterfalls pouring simultaneously from both sides into the turquoise Tungnaá river below — hence the name Valley of Tears. The moss on the walls is intensely green and the colour contrast with the blue-green water is striking on any clear day. A flat walk of about one kilometre from the parking area near the Sigalda dam reaches the rim viewpoint. Allow 15–20 minutes each way. There is no marked route down into the canyon. The site sits in the Highlands on Route F26, southeast of Hrauneyjar. A 4x4 vehicle is required to reach it — the F-roads close from around October through May. The structured listing shows gravel road and no 4x4, but actual access demands a 4x4. July and August are the most reliable months. Reykjavík is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours away.

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