Exploring Múlagljúfur Canyon: Iceland’s Hidden Spot
Tucked away in southeast Iceland, Múlagljúfur Canyon is a quiet place with rugged cliffs and waterfalls. It’s less busy than nearby places like Jökulsárlón, and its natural beauty and big views make it worth a visit for anyone who likes hiking or just being outside. Want to know more? This guide has everything you need about this off-the-path gem.
What’s Múlagljúfur Canyon?
Múlagljúfur Canyon is located in southeast Iceland, part of Vatnajökull National Park. Its steep, green walls hold two waterfalls: Hangandifoss, over 120 meters tall, and the harder-to-spot Múlafoss. From here, you can see glaciers, mountains, and the ocean. The canyon is not as crowded as other nearby spots, so its trails feel peaceful and untouched; it’s one of the most unique and dramatic hikes you can do here in Iceland.
Being close to Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoons makes it an easy side trip, but many people miss it because it is not marked.
How Was Múlagljúfur Canyon Formed?
The canyon formed over thousands of years. Water from the Öræfajökull glacier, part of the Vatnajökull ice cap, carved through volcanic rock. Over time, this water deepened and widened the canyon, leaving steep, moss-covered walls. Volcanic activity added layers of dark basalt to the cliffs. Ice and fire shaped it together, with waterfalls now flowing down and the walls showing Iceland’s wild past. It’s a slow process that shows nature’s power.
Where Is Múlagljúfur Canyon & How to Get There
Getting to Múlagljúfur Canyon takes some effort to find, but it’s doable. It’s in southeast Iceland, about a 5-hour drive from Reykjavík (368 km) on the Ring Road (Road 1). The GPS coordinates are 63.9886667, -16.3971589, but no signs are pointing the way.
You can see parts of Múlagljúfur Canyon without hiking, but you won’t get the full picture, and you’ll miss amazing spots like the Hangandifoss and Múlafoss waterfalls and the big cliff views. If you can’t or don’t want to hike, you’ll still catch a glimpse from the parking spot, but it’s limited. The trail is where the real experience is.
Driving Directions
Head east from Reykjavík on Road 1 toward the glacier lagoons. Coming from the west, right before you hit Fjallsárlón, look for an unmarked gravel turn-off on your right. It takes you down a 2.1 km dirt road to the parking area at N 63.993021°, W 16.436285°. The road is bumpy, and there are some small streams to cross, so I recommend renting a 4x4. Some people have made it in regular cars by going slow when it’s dry, but it’s riskier.
Practical Tips
Look at road conditions on Safe Travel and the weather on vedur.is before you go—rain can make the dirt road messy. Have a map downloaded or use offline GPS since the signal’s weak and the turn-off’s hard to spot. There’s nothing like bathrooms or anything at the start, so plan for that.
Hiking in Múlagljúfur
Múlagljúfur Canyon has hikes that take you through its rough, pretty land in southeast Iceland. You’ll see mossy cliffs, waterfalls, and glaciers in the distance. There are two main paths to pick from, and knowing what the trail’s like and some handy tips, will help you get ready.
You’ve got two hikes to choose from. The shorter one is 7.72 km round-trip—3.86 km each way—with a 180m climb. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and takes you to a lovely view over the canyon. It’s good if you want something quick. The longer one is 6.4 km round-trip, with a 440m climb, and takes 2.5 to 3 hours. It goes by Hangandifoss waterfall and up to Múlafoss. The longer hike is obviously tougher, but the views are well worth the effort.
The trail’s tough either way. It’s narrow and uneven, with loose rocks, bushes, and some stream crossings that get muddy after rain. There are faint yellow markers to follow, but they’re hard to see against the grey cliffs, especially if it’s your first time. Waterproof boots are a must—mud’s always there, and ice can stick around into spring. But when you get to the top, you see everything: glaciers, waterfalls, the ocean, and the rocky peak of Rótarfjallshnúkur standing tall at the canyon’s far end.
A few tips can help you be more prepared for the hike. Grab a .GPX file from AllTrails or Wikiloc before you start—the markers aren’t enough, and offline maps help a lot. Stay on the path so you don’t mess up the moss, and let someone know your plans if you’re alone. Drones aren’t allowed without park permission to keep things quiet for the animals.
Best Time to Visit Múlagljúfur
April to September is the best time to go. The trails are dry, the water is lower, and the moss looks bright green. Early mornings or late afternoons mean fewer people, so getting there early is a good idea. Thanks to the Midnight Sun, you’ll still have plenty of daylight if you decide to go in the evening, so that’s also a good option.
Winter’s not great, as snow and ice make the trail muddy and icy.
Spring and Autumn are more unpredictable in terms of weather, so it can be great or be a mess.
What to Pack
Here’s what you need to bring to Múlagljúfur Canyon:
- Footwear: Waterproof hiking boots for muddy, rocky ground.
- Clothing: Bring a waterproof jacket, layers for changing weather, a hat, and gloves—the wind can get cold even in summer. Also, bring spare socks and spares for things that can get wet.
- Gear: Water bottle, snacks, camera or phone for pictures.
- Safety: Small first-aid kit, trash bag to keep it clean.
- Optional: Binoculars for animals, tripod for steady shots.
Places to Visit Nearby
Múlagljúfur’s spot makes it easy to see more of southeast Iceland. Here are some places close by to add to your trip.
Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon
15 minutes away by car to the east, this calm lagoon has icebergs and fewer people than Jökulsárlón. You can take a boat tour, kayak, or just go there and enjoy the views from the shore.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
20 minutes from the canyon, this place has icebergs floating around and seals to watch. The plan is very similar to Fjallsárlón’s, although this is bigger and more crowded. An upside of visiting Jökulsarlon, besides the fact that it’s stunning, is that you can visit Diamond Beach, a black sand beach where some of the ice from lagoon ends up, in the same go, as it’s literally 5 minutes by foot.
Skaftafell Nature Reserve
An hour west, Skaftafell is a nature reserve that’s part of Vatnajökull National Park. It has amazing trails, like the one to Svartifoss, a waterfall with dark columns around it. You can camp at the Skaftafell Camping overnight to spend more time outside.
Höfn
An hour east, this fishing town’s a good stop after hiking. Try the lobster soup and rest a little bit. It’s a good place to spend the night if you want to be close to supermarkets and things like that.
Final Thoughts
Múlagljúfur Canyon is a place that mixes hiking, quiet, and big views. This guide gives you what you need to see it all, from how it got here to its trails. Step carefully, take your time, and let Iceland’s wild side stick with you.