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Múlagljúfur Canyon has every part 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 prime hikes in all our time on this lovely nation. It’s a comparatively fast hike that almost any customer can full and affords unbelievable 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 might have seen Iceland journey pictures of a rugged and deep canyon with views of not one, however two unbelievable waterfalls; that is Múlagljúfur Canyon! This 5.8km out-and-back path contains an elevation achieve of 367m and might be accomplished by hikers of all ages. From the principle viewpoint, you may be rewarded with views of Hangandifoss and Múlafoss waterfalls, two of probably the most lovely Iceland waterfalls. For a greater view of Múlafoss waterfall, nestled on the far finish of the canyon, proceed previous the principle viewpoint alongside a steeper path.
One among our favourite issues concerning the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike is that it’s felt comparatively untouched and never practically as busy as many different vacationer places in Iceland. You’ll not discover the standard crowds or a parking zone filled with tour buses that may typically be discovered at different vacationer spots in Iceland; in reality, if you happen to get fortunate like we did, you will have the path practically all to your self!
We discovered that the path was not at all times well-marked, however it’s simple sufficient to search 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.
Nevertheless, this may increasingly not at all times be the case relying on the various climate circumstances all year long. As you proceed mountaineering in the direction of the principle viewpoint, there are a selection of paths of various distance from the canyon edge; relying in your stage of consolation, it’s possible you’ll want to keep farther from the sting because it’s a straight drop-off.
When you attain the principle viewpoint, you may be rewarded with views of two unbelievable waterfalls and water operating by way of the canyon ground. Alongside the path, additionally, you will have the ability to catch a view of the close by Fjallsárlón Iceberg Lagoon and Fjallsjökull Glacier. As talked about, you might also determine 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 to 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 comparable to robust winds, rain, and even snow. You may get a little bit of every part in Iceland! Earlier than embarking on any hike we’ll typically 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. Guaranteeing that you just put on supportive mountaineering footwear or boots may even assist you to navigate the rugged and typically slippery terrain. In fact, bringing sufficient water and a small first support package with important objects can also be necessary.
What to Pack for Iceland • Our Final Iceland Packing Listing
get to Múlagljúfur Canyon
The Múlagljúfur Canyon hike might be simply accessed from the Ring Highway within the southeast area of Iceland. We visited the canyon on a day after we had been touring between the cities of Vik and Höfn on a counter-clockwise tour of the Ring Highway. The turn-off for Múlagljúfur Canyon might 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. You will need to notice that this 2km street shouldn’t be absolutely paved, and you’ll have to drive rigorously alongside the bumpy and rocky terrain. We had 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 top of the street; right here one can find a small parking space and the trailhead.
How Troublesome is the Múlagljúfur hike?
AllTrails charges the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike as onerous, however we discovered this to be extra of a average hike. There’s nothing technical concerning the path, and the incline is pretty regular the whole manner (however not too troublesome). The steepest sections are positioned close to the top of the hike as we continued previous the principle viewpoint to get a greater view of Múlafoss. A lot of the path is simple to observe, nevertheless, there have been a few instances 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 worry of heights or elevation could really feel a bit cautious and watch their footing.
If you’re an skilled hiker, you’ll seemingly discover this path to be a comparatively fast and reasonably strenuous hike. We personally accomplished the hike all the best way to the top of the path inside 2-3 hours, permitting loads of stops for pictures.
This quick day hike leaves you with further time to discover the various different close by websites within the space comparable to Svínafellsjökull Glacier, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and Diamond Seashore (however extra on these places later!). These with much less mountaineering expertise could discover this path harder; modify 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 the whole path to ourselves and there have been solely a few different automobiles parked on the trailhead after we arrived. In fact, relying on the time of day and season of your Iceland go to, the path is likely to be roughly 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 places, it has gained in reputation in recent times because of its photogenic nature. Nevertheless, you may be removed from the tour buses and crowds that may be discovered at a lot 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 can be an incredible place to cease for lunch or a snack. This hike was a terrific addition to our already jam-packed day, together with Dyrhólaey Peninsula, Reynisfjara Seashore, the city of Vik, Fjadrargljufur Canyon, and extra. Even with all the unbelievable sights positioned in southeast Iceland, the Múlagljúfur Canyon hike is one which we’d undoubtedly not need 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 may very well be eaten on the street.
Additionally it is 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 places listed under all in someday as we traveled between the cities of Vík and Höfn. Relying in your journey itinerary, you might think about visiting the places listed under 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 encompasses a well-equipped (and common) campsite with pretty cliffside views, in addition to the often-photographed Vík í Mýrdal church. If you’re staying the night time or simply passing by way of, don’t miss the superior Skool Beans Cafe (inbuilt an precise yellow faculty bus) positioned on the Vík Campsite.
Dyrhólaey
This location is technically backtracking in your manner from Vík to Múlagljúfur Canyon (it’s positioned west of Vík as a substitute of heading east towards Múlagljúfur Canyon). Nevertheless, we didn’t have time to go to on the day gone by, and didn’t need to miss this location. To succeed in this spot, you’ll drive up a winding street in your approach to a lighthouse viewpoint. Alongside the best way, it is possible for you to to sneak a view of Reynisfjara Seashore 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 Seashore
Once more, Reynisfjara Seashore was a little bit of a backtrack as it’s positioned west of Vík the place we had spent the earlier night time, however that is one other spot that we didn’t need to miss. Reynisfjara Seashore 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 may get crowded, I’d say that this distinctive spot is common for a purpose.
We spent a while venturing alongside the seashore marveling on the volcanic black sand and located that there have been much less individuals as we made our manner farther from the parking zone. You will notice indicators right here warning guests of the harmful and highly effective waves alongside this seashore; 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 one 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 had been much less spectacular than these of Múlagljúfur Canyon, this spot was nonetheless well 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 one can find a small parking zone and a brief stroll alongside a gravel street will result in views of Svínafellsjökull Glacier and its glacier lagoon. We discovered that photos didn’t do that place justice; it was superb to view the depth and coloration of this spectacular glacier.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Seashore
Final, however actually not least, we visited Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and close by Diamond Seashore to finish our day, that are two of the finest issues to do in Iceland. As a result of we visited late within the night, neither of those places had been significantly busy. We took pictures and walked the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon’s lakeshore. Subsequent, we crossed to the other aspect of the Ring Highway to go to Diamond Seashore, named for the massive chunks of ice that relaxation on the seashore. Visiting these common spots was a terrific finish to an epic day in southern Iceland!
Extra Useful Iceland Journey Suggestions
- Icelanders communicate Icelandic, however each single particular person I got here throughout spoke English.
- The native foreign money is the Icelandic króna (ISK). ATMs are discovered all through the nation.
- Have I discussed Iceland is pricey? Get monetary savings by consuming in and cooking for your self. Try our Iceland grocery retailer information for all the guidelines!
- Iceland is likely one of the most secure nations on the planet; nevertheless, 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 have the ability to keep related simply.
Even with so many unbelievable 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 unquestionably value a go to in your subsequent journey to Iceland, and a spot that I’d extremely suggest.
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