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Eldgjá

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CanyonSouth Coast

Eldgjá

South CoastStay behind rim edges

About

Eldgjá is a volcano and a canyon in Iceland. Eldgjá is part of the Katla volcano; it is a segment of a 40 kilometres (25 mi) long chain of volcanic craters and fissure vents that extends northeast away from Katla volcano almost to the Vatnajökull ice cap.

A unique Icelandic experience. Worth your time.

Check local conditions before visiting. Iceland's weather changes fast.

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Plan your visit to Eldgjá

Build an itinerary — full days, multi-stop routes, drive times, alternatives.

Map of Eldgjá

Map

63.9667°N, 18.6092°W · South Coast

Plan your visit

Off the main road
32.7 km from Route 1
Nearest town
Kirkjubæjarklaustur — 34.6 km away
Distance from Reykjavík
163 km in a straight line
What else is close
121 mapped places within 20 km

Tours near Eldgjá

Highlands Hiking: Small Group Landmannalaugar Hike & Hot Springs - Without transferfrom 16.500 ISK · 5 hBus transfer from Landmannalaugar to Hella / Reykjavikfrom 12.220 ISK · 4 hHvannadalshnúkur - Iceland's highest summitfrom 57.999 ISK · 15 hSolheimajokull Glacier Guided Hiking Small Group Tourfrom 12.299 ISK · 3 hGlacier Hike Experience on Sólheimajökull Glacier - Meet on locationfrom 15.990 ISK · 3 hGlacier Hiking Tour - Icelandic Local Guidefrom 38.900 ISK · 10 hThe Zip Line + Glacier Hike Adventurefrom 45.000 ISK · 4 hGlacier Hike & Horse Riding in South Icelandfrom 25.990 ISK · 6 hGlacier Hike | Micro group (6 max) | Sólheimajökull | Víkfrom 30.000 ISK · 4 h
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ToursIn season nowSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 hEarly Bird Ice Cavefrom 25.000 ISK · 3 h 30 minLaugarás Lagoon Birki - Premium Lagoonfrom 9.900 ISK · 2 hAll 1,648 toursBy activity and region

Eldgjá weather and conditions

Last updated

0°Cmostly clear · feels -3°C1 m/swind9 h 52 mdaylight · 08:04 – 17:56
In season now · Winter in IcelandSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 h
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Cars & campers

−12%exclusive discountFree cancellationKEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
From
5,355 kr6,300 kr/day
Reserve −12%
VW Caravelle
9-seater

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic
FuelDiesel
Seats9
Drive2WD
From
12,750 kr15,000 kr/day
Reserve −12%
Key Camper Wild Duo
Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol
Sleeps2
Drive4WD
From
5,304 kr6,240 kr/day
Reserve −12%

Photos & videos

Eldgjá — photo by Илья Григорик · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Photo: Илья Григорик · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Eldgjá, no lookalikes. Search YouTube

Nearby

km column = your drive

  1. 1Sveinsgil19 km
  2. 2Fjaðrárgljúfur31 km
  3. 3Markarfljótsgljúfur46 km
  4. 4Raufargil50 km
  5. 5Hvítárgljúfur55 km
All canyons in South Coast →

Waterfalls

  1. 1Ófærufoss< 1 km
  2. 2Silfurfoss7 km
  3. 3Axlafoss19 km
All waterfalls →

Hot springs

  1. 1Strútslaug19 km
  2. 2Geothermal hot spring near Rangárþing ytra21 km
  3. 3Landmannalaugar Hot River22 km
All hot springs →

Fuel

  1. 1Kirkjubæjarklaustur34 km · 310.9 kr/L
  2. 2Hrauneyjar42 km · 315.8 kr/L
  3. 3Vík í Mýrdal64 km · 308.2 kr/L
All fuel →

Supermarkets

  1. 1Gvendarkjör34 km
  2. 2Krónan64 km
  3. 3Krambúð85 km
All supermarkets →

Tours

  1. Adrenaline Combo: Off-Road Buggy & Mega Zipline Experiencefrom 29.300 ISK · 3 hours
  2. Buggy Adventure in Þórsmörkfrom 89.990 ISK · 5 hours
  3. Bus transfer from Landmannalaugar to Hella / Reykjavikfrom 12.220 ISK · 4 hours
All tours →

Frequently
asked
questions

How do I get to Eldgjá?
Eldgjá is located in South Coast. Check live road conditions on this page before you drive — some highland canyons are reached by F-road and need a 4×4, and those routes only open in summer.
Is Eldgjá safe to visit?
Treat every canyon rim as loose and undercut. Stay on any marked path, keep well back from unmarked edges, and remember that rock gets slippery when wet. Iceland's weather changes fast — canyon conditions can differ from the surrounding area.
Do I need a guide for Eldgjá?
No — Eldgjá can be visited on your own. The care is in staying on the trail and away from the edge, not in needing a guide. Never climb down into a gorge that has no marked route.
When is the best time to visit Eldgjá?
Summer gives the clearest access, especially if the road in is a gravel or F-road that closes for winter. Check live road status before you drive, and bring layers — it can be several degrees colder and windier inside a canyon.

Data & sources

Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.

Spotted an error, or have something to add? Help us keep this page accurate.

All canyons13 canyons in South Coast, mapped with photos, distances and live conditions
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10
8°C · overcastWind 2 m/sRing Road (R1) openAurora Kp 2.67Daylight 07:02 – 19:39Webcams