Ásbyrgi (pronounced ow-sbirgi) is a horseshoe-shaped glacial canyon in the Jökulsárgljúfur section of Vatnajökull National Park, located on Route 85 in north-east Iceland, approximately 40 kilometres east of Húsavík. This guide covers the Gljúfrastofa visitor centre hours, admission, hiking trails, parking, the campsite, accessibility, and practical planning information for a visit to Ásbyrgi.
Last updated: April 2026. The Ásbyrgi campsite now opens on 1 June each year rather than the mid-May date listed in many older guides. The date changed following restroom renovation works completed in spring 2025. Visitors planning early-season camping trips should note this revised opening date. Day visitors are not affected — the canyon itself is accessible year-round with no admission charge.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ásbyrgi, Jökulsárgljúfur, Vatnajökull National Park |
| Address | Route 85, 671 Kópasker, North-East Iceland |
| GPS | Approx. 66.016° N, 16.508° W |
| Canyon admission | Free |
| Parking | Free; EV charging available at visitor centre |
| Gljúfrastofa visitor centre — summer (Jun–Aug) | 09:00–18:00 daily |
| Gljúfrastofa visitor centre — May and Sep–Oct | 10:00–17:00 daily |
| Gljúfrastofa visitor centre — winter (Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec) | 11:00–15:00 Monday–Friday only |
| Campsite open | 1 June – end of October |
| Campsite price (adults 17–66) | 2,800 ISK per person per night |
| Distance from Húsavík | Approx. 40 km / 45 minutes via Route 85 |
| Distance from Akureyri | Approx. 120 km / 1.5 hours via Routes 1 and 85 |
| Distance from Reykjavík | Approx. 541 km / 6.5 hours |
| Typical visit duration | 1–3 hours (day visitor); multi-day for campers or long-distance hikers |
| Part of | Diamond Circle scenic route; Arctic Coast Way |
Ásbyrgi Canyon visitor centre opening hours
The Gljúfrastofa visitor centre at Ásbyrgi is open year-round, but hours vary significantly by season. The canyon itself can be accessed at any time.
| Period | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January – 30 April | Monday–Friday only | 11:00–15:00 |
| 1 May – 31 May | Daily | 10:00–17:00 |
| 1 June – 31 August | Daily | 09:00–18:00 |
| 1 September – 31 October | Daily | 10:00–17:00 |
| 1 November – 20 December | Monday–Friday only | 11:00–15:00 |
The visitor centre is closed on weekends between November and April. Ranger-led interpretive walks take place daily from mid-June to mid-August, departing from the visitor centre. Outside of these dates, rangers are available during visitor centre hours for trail information and safety advice.
Five great things to do in Husavik
- 🐋 Go whale-watching – the traditional way on a handsome oak ship.
- 🚤 Get a taste of adventure on a RIB cruise – spotting whales and puffins on the way.
- ♨️ Soak in the mineral-rich waters – at the GeoSea Geothermal Baths.
- 🌊 Head out again in search of whales in Skjalfandi Bay – on another guided boat tour.
- 📸 Capture the coastline’s beauty – while exploring more Husavik highlights on a local experience.
Ásbyrgi admission and ticket prices
Day access to Ásbyrgi Canyon is free. There is no entry fee to walk the canyon, use the trails, or visit the viewpoints. Parking is also free, with no charge at either of the two car parks.
Camping carries a fee, paid through the Parka app or online at parka.is before arrival. Current campsite prices (set by Vatnajökull National Park) are:
| Category | Price per night |
|---|---|
| Adult (17–66 years) | 2,800 ISK |
| Senior (67+) or disabled | 2,300 ISK |
| Child (16 and under, with adult) | Free |
| Electrical hook-up | 1,500 ISK per 24 hours |
A 15% discount applies for stays of five or more consecutive nights. The campsite fee includes access to showers, washing machines, and a dryer. Online booking for the campsite is available at parka.is/camping/asbyrgi/reserve. Large groups should contact the visitor centre before arrival.
Admission and campsite prices were verified on the official Vatnajökull National Park website and last updated in April 2026.
How to get to Ásbyrgi Canyon
By car is the standard way to reach Ásbyrgi. The canyon is on Route 85, clearly signposted. From Húsavík, drive east on Route 85 for approximately 40 kilometres (45 minutes). From Akureyri, drive east on Route 1 to the junction with Route 85 at Sandá, then follow Route 85 north for approximately 45 kilometres; total journey approximately 1.5 hours. Route 85 is a paved road and is maintained in winter, though conditions can deteriorate rapidly in bad weather — check road conditions at vegagerdin.is or safetravel.is before travelling.
By guided tour, several operators run day trips from Akureyri and Húsavík that include Ásbyrgi as part of the Diamond Circle route alongside Húsavík, Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, and Dettifoss.
There is no scheduled public bus service with a stop at Ásbyrgi. Visitors without a car must join a guided tour or arrange a private transfer.
Parking at Ásbyrgi Canyon
Parking is free at Ásbyrgi and available at two separate locations within the canyon. The main car park is at the canyon entrance, immediately adjacent to the Gljúfrastofa visitor centre. This is the starting point for most hiking trails and is where the trail maps, toilet facilities (during visitor centre hours), and ranger services are based. An EV charging station is located in this car park.
A second car park is located at the inner end of the canyon road, near Botnstjörn pond. Visitors can drive along the gravel road inside the canyon to reach it, allowing easier access to the inner canyon trails without a long walk from the entrance. Both car parks are open at all times.
How long to spend at Ásbyrgi Canyon
The minimum realistic visit for a day tripper is one to two hours, covering the Botnstjörn trail (1 km, 30 minutes) and a short walk around the woodland floor. Visitors who add the Eyjan viewpoint trail (4.5 km, 1.5–2 hours) should allow a half day. Campers and hikers tackling longer routes — including the two-day, 32-kilometre trail to Dettifoss — require an overnight stay within the national park.
Accessibility at Ásbyrgi Canyon
The Botnstjörn trail (Á1) — a 1-kilometre flat path through the birch forest to the pond at the canyon’s innermost point — is specifically rated by the national park as suitable for visitors with limited mobility. The Flowers interpretive trail (Á10), 0.5 kilometres through the birch forest, is described by the park as accessible to most people.
The Gljúfrastofa visitor centre building is accessible; contact the park in advance on +354 470 7100 or at [email protected] for specific accessibility queries. Holders of a P-sign (disabled parking card) can apply to the national park for exemption from any regional fees across the park (though Ásbyrgi itself does not currently charge a regional parking fee).
Inside Ásbyrgi: what to see and do
The canyon. Ásbyrgi measures 3.5 kilometres long and approximately 1.1 kilometres wide, with cliff walls rising to 100 metres at the innermost section. The floor of the canyon is sheltered from the wind and supports dense birch and willow woodland — an unusual contrast to the open highland landscape typical of north-east Iceland. The canyon is part of the wider Jökulsárgljúfur gorge system, carved by catastrophic glacial outburst floods from the Vatnajökull glacier.
Eyjan. A prominent rock formation running almost half the length of the canyon, Eyjan (“The Island”) divides the canyon at its centre and rises to 25 metres. It can be climbed on the Eyjan trail (Á2, 4.5 km, easy), which gives a panoramic view over the full horseshoe of the canyon walls and the surrounding landscape.
Botnstjörn pond. At the innermost point of the canyon, beneath the highest section of cliff, is a small pond surrounded by lush vegetation. Eurasian wigeons and northern fulmars nest here. A small seasonal waterfall falls into the pond during spring and heavy rainfall. The Botnstjörn trail (Á1) is the most popular short walk in the canyon and is accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
Gljúfrastofa visitor centre. The visitor centre at the canyon entrance houses an interactive exhibition on the geology of Jökulsárgljúfur, the power of glacial floods, volcanic activity, and the habitats and birdlife of the canyon. It also has a souvenir shop with an emphasis on books and local crafts. Toilets are inside the visitor centre and are only accessible during opening hours.
Hiking trails. Vatnajökull National Park has ten marked trails starting from Ásbyrgi, ranging from the 0.5-kilometre flowers interpretive trail to the two-day, 32-kilometre trail to Dettifoss. The trails are numbered Á1 to Á10, with difficulty ratings published on the national park website. Trail maps are available at the visitor centre.
Birdwatching. The canyon cliffs and woodland support a variety of nesting birds, including fulmars, arctic terns, ravens, Eurasian wigeons, and redwings. The lake at Ástjörn, just outside the canyon, is a good bird-watching spot on the Á6 trail.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check visitor centre hours before planning around them | In winter and shoulder season, the visitor centre is only open Monday–Friday, 11:00–15:00. Toilets are only accessible during these hours; there are no other public toilet facilities on site. |
| Book camping in advance | The Ásbyrgi campsite is one of the most popular in Iceland and fills quickly in summer. Reserve via parka.is before arrival; electricity pitches go first. No walk-up reservations are available — payment must be made online or through the Parka app. |
| Drive into the canyon to the inner car park | The gravel road inside the canyon leads to a second car park close to Botnstjörn, saving around 30 minutes of walking from the main entrance for visitors primarily interested in the inner canyon. |
| Visit early in the morning for fewer people | Tour buses from Akureyri and Húsavík typically arrive mid-morning. Arriving before 09:00 in summer gives the canyon almost entirely to yourself, with better light on the cliff faces. |
| Wear layers and bring waterproofs | The sheltered canyon can feel significantly warmer than the surrounding landscape on still days, but weather in north-east Iceland changes rapidly and mist and rain are common. The canyon floor stays damp even after dry periods. |
Frequently asked questions about Ásbyrgi Canyon
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Ásbyrgi Canyon free to visit? | Yes. There is no admission charge to access the canyon or walk the trails. Parking is also free. The only costs are camping fees (2,800 ISK per adult per night) and optional purchases at the visitor centre shop. |
| Is Ásbyrgi Canyon suitable for children? | Yes. The Botnstjörn trail (1 km, 30 minutes, flat) and the Flowers interpretive trail (0.5 km) are both easy walks suitable for families with young children. The inner canyon road can also be driven, limiting the amount of walking required. |
| Is Ásbyrgi Canyon open in winter? | The canyon is accessible year-round. However, the visitor centre is only open Monday–Friday, 11:00–15:00 between November and April, and the campsite is closed from November to May. Road conditions on Route 85 can deteriorate significantly in winter; check vegagerdin.is before travelling. |
| Do you need to book the Ásbyrgi campsite in advance? | Advance booking via parka.is is strongly recommended, particularly for electric pitches. Walk-in camping is not available; payment must be made before arrival through the Parka app or website. Large groups should also contact the visitor centre directly. |
| How far is Ásbyrgi Canyon from Dettifoss? | Approximately 65 kilometres, taking roughly one hour by car via Route 862 (paved, west bank). The two sites are connected by a 32-kilometre hiking trail through the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, which takes two days to complete. |
Things to do near Ásbyrgi Canyon
Dettifoss (approximately 1 hour south via Route 862). Often described as the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss drops 44 metres on the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum within the same section of Vatnajökull National Park. The west bank road (Route 862) is paved; the east bank (Route 864) is gravel. Free to visit.
Hljóðaklettar and Vesturdalur (approximately 30–40 minutes south within the national park). Hljóðaklettar (“Echo Rocks”) is a set of volcanic basalt formations with unusual acoustic properties, located within Jökulsárgljúfur. Vesturdalur, nearby, has a simple tent-only campsite and further walking trails. Reachable by gravel track off Route 862.
Húsavík (approximately 45 minutes west on Route 85). The main town on the north coast, with whale watching tours on Skjálfandi Bay, the Húsavík Whale Museum, and the Exploration Museum. The town also has hotels, restaurants, and a supermarket — the nearest full services to Ásbyrgi.
GeoSea geothermal sea baths, Húsavík (approximately 50 minutes west). Infinity pools on the cliffs above Skjálfandi Bay, fed by naturally heated mineral-rich seawater. Good for combining with a Húsavík visit after a day in the canyon.
Lake Mývatn (approximately 1 hour south-west). A large geothermal lake surrounded by lava formations, craters, steam vents, and birdlife. The wider Mývatn area includes the Earth Lagoon geothermal baths, the Námafjall geothermal field, and the Dimmuborgir lava formations.
What to visit tomorrow: canyons and gorges within two hours of Ásbyrgi
Jökulsárgljúfur canyon — Hljóðaklettar to Dettifoss (within Vatnajökull National Park, 30 minutes to 1 hour south). The full gorge system of which Ásbyrgi is the northern end stretches 30 kilometres south to Dettifoss, passing through dramatic lava formations, river meanders, and canyon viewpoints. Accessible by car at several points along Route 862.
Kolugljúfur Canyon (approximately 2 hours west on Route 1, then Route 715). A narrow gorge in the Víðidalsá river near Kolugil, with a small waterfall visible from the canyon rim. One of north-west Iceland’s more accessible canyon viewpoints, and part of a scenic loop off the Ring Road.
Stuðlagil Canyon, Jökuldalur (approximately 2 to 2.5 hours south on Routes 1 and 923). A striking canyon with hexagonal basalt columns lining the river Jökla, particularly vivid after the water level was lowered by a hydroelectric project. The canyon has become one of Iceland’s most photographed gorges; accessed via a short walk from the Stuðlagil car park.
Árhnjúkar gorge, Lake Mývatn area (approximately 1.5 hours south-west). A small but dramatic basalt gorge and cave formation accessible on foot from the Mývatn area, often visited as part of a broader Mývatn day. Trail maps available from the Mývatn visitor centre.
Selfoss gorge, Jökulsárgljúfur (approximately 1 hour south, same route as Dettifoss). Located about 1 kilometre upstream from Dettifoss, the Selfoss waterfall sits within the upper section of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon and is typically visited on the same stop. The surrounding gorge walls and canyon floor are accessible on foot from the Dettifoss west bank car park.
More Iceland travel
Other Iceland travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect at the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft in Holmavik.
- Forest Lagoon, Akureyri: A practical visitor guide.
- Why Strokkur geyser is the highlight of Golden Circle tours.
- What to expect when exploring Viðgelmir lava cave in Iceland.
- Experience snorkelling between continents at Silfra fissure.
