Parking
From Route 1, take the gravel access near 63.988667, -16.397159; the rough spur continues about 2.1 km to paid parking at the canyon trailhead near 63.993030, -16.436192. Current route information says the fee can be paid with the Parka app.
Overview
About Múlagljúfur Canyon
Múlagljúfur is a dramatic, moss-lined canyon in southeast Iceland, with Hangandifoss in the foreground, views toward Múlafoss and Vatnajökull, and a rugged, lightly developed approach. This listing represents the longer visitor route from the canyon parking area to the upper viewpoints and back.
Why go
- Undeveloped canyon scenery with Hangandifoss, Múlafoss and glacier views
- Longer upper route offers more viewpoints beyond the classic main overlook
- Easy to pair with nearby Fjallsárlón, Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
Heads up
- Rough gravel access road and paid parking can be easy to miss from Route 1
- Small creek crossing and upper sections can be slippery or swollen with rain and meltwater
- Exposed canyon viewpoints, no facilities and intermittent cell service
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Vatnajökull map
Full mapElevation66–424 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
1 active Vatnajökull alert
- ClosureFosshvammur permanently closed at DettifossFosshvammur at Dettifoss is permanently closed to all traffic; do not enter.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Vatnajökull Tour Guide
Your drive to Múlagljúfur Canyon, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Vatnajökull National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this area
Reading the Rivers: Clear vs. GreyListen
“Notice how some rivers are crystal clear while others look like flowing concrete? The clear streams, like Hrútá, are spring-fed, filtered clean through porous volcanic rock.”
Plays on the road 2.9 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Vatnajökull Tour Guide.
- 102 audio storiesacross Vatnajökull’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grey Seal, Harbor Seal, Caribou, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 16 trails, 72 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Múlagljúfur Canyon
Route and StatsThis is an out-and-back: 3.6 miles (5.
This is an out-and-back: 3.6 miles (5.77 km) total with about 1,345 feet (410 m) of ascent, typically 2–2.5 hours for the full outing. The app line stores the walked corridor once from the parking area to the upper turnaround; the visitor distance is the full return distance. The route climbs steadily through low vegetation and moss, crosses a small creek, passes viewpoints above Hangandifoss, and continues to higher views toward Múlafoss and the glacier. A shorter option to the classic main viewpoint is about 2.4 miles (3.86 km) round trip.
Trail ExperienceStart from the parking area at the end of the gravel access road and follow the visible path…
Start from the parking area at the end of the gravel access road and follow the visible path uphill. The route can branch around the lower slopes; follow the established tread and do not pass stones or other markers indicating a closed segment. After the creek crossing, the path climbs to the canyon rim and then continues higher past Hangandifoss. The upper section is steeper and can be slippery when wet; exposed viewpoints reward careful footing.
Access and ConditionsThe gravel access leaves Route 1 near 63.988667, -16.397159 and continues roughly 2.
The gravel access leaves Route 1 near 63.988667, -16.397159 and continues roughly 2.1 km to the parking area near 63.993030, -16.436192. Parking is paid via the Parka app according to the current route information. There are no facilities at the trailhead and cell service can be intermittent. Spring, autumn and winter conditions can bring mud, ice, snow and swollen meltwater; check conditions before setting out.
StewardshipStay on visible paths and off the fragile moss.
Stay on visible paths and off the fragile moss. Keep back from exposed canyon edges, take care at the creek, and respect any stones or signs closing a branch. Bring water, food, sturdy footwear and offline navigation.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Vatnajökull
22 sightingsGrey SealMost seen around 5 AMSighting map
258 sightingsHarbor SealMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
184 sightingsCaribouMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
62 sightingsArctic FoxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
168 sightingsWhooper SwanMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
68 sightingsAtlantic PuffinMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Vatnajökull. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
