Fjadrargljufur Canyon in September
Most south coast itineraries stop at the same handful of waterfalls and beaches, which means a genuinely striking spot like Fjadrargljufur (Icelandic: Fjaðrárgljúfur) gets left out of a lot of standard routes simply because it sits a little further along than the usual turnaround point. If your trip has room for a longer south coast day, September is a good month to make the detour.
Quick answer: Fjadrargljufur (Icelandic: Fjaðrárgljúfur) is a roughly 2 kilometer long, up to 100 meter deep canyon near Kirkjubaejarklaustur (Icelandic: Kirkjubæjarklaustur), about three hours from Reykjavik (Icelandic: Reykjavík). September works well for the visit since the ground is usually dry enough for standard parking access and the worst of the summer crowds have thinned. Stick to the marked rim path, since the canyon was closed to visitors for periods in 2019 due to erosion.
What Is Fjadrargljufur Canyon?
The canyon was formed by glacial meltwater after the last Ice Age, with the Fjaðrá river flowing through it today. It runs about 2 kilometers long and drops as deep as 100 meters in places, with steep, winding walls that curve back on themselves enough to make the whole formation genuinely hard to photograph in a single frame. It sits near the small village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur (Icelandic: Kirkjubæjarklaustur), roughly 250 kilometers from Reykjavik (Icelandic: Reykjavík), about three hours' drive under normal conditions, which puts it past where most standard south coast day tours turn back.
Fjadrargljufur History and Access Rules
A short but memorable claim to fame: the canyon became internationally known after Justin Bieber filmed part of a music video there in 2015, which brought a wave of visitors that the site's narrow trails weren't built to handle. Iceland closed it to visitors for periods in 2019 because of damage to the fragile vegetation and erosion caused by heavy visitor traffic, and it has since reopened with measures to protect the area. It's worth knowing this going in, since staying on the marked route isn't just a suggestion here, it's the reason the site is still accessible at all.
Fjadrargljufur Rim Walk in September
The main rim walk covers about 2 kilometers round trip and takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour at an easy pace, with several viewing platforms along the way offering different angles into the canyon, including one looking down on Mogafoss (Icelandic: Mögáfoss), a waterfall dropping into the gorge itself. September works well for this walk specifically: the ground is typically dry enough for the standard parking area to stay accessible without four-wheel drive, unlike winter when snow and ice make the approach harder, and the worst of the summer crowds at more established stops have usually thinned by this point in the month.
Planning a Visit to Fjadrargljufur
Because Fjadrargljufur (Icelandic: Fjaðrárgljúfur) sits well past the typical south coast turnaround, it makes the most sense as part of a longer day or a multi-day itinerary rather than an add-on to a standard route. If you're already planning to travel further east, toward Vik (Icelandic: Vík) or beyond, working this stop in adds real variety without much of a detour. For a shorter trip, it's worth weighing against the more established stops covered in our waterfalls guide, since fitting everything into one day usually means choosing between depth and breadth.
Bring proper footwear regardless of how mild the weather looks. The rim path has sections close to the edge with loose gravel, and September rain can leave the ground soft in places. A windproof layer is worth having too, since the canyon's exposed upper rim catches more wind than the sheltered walk down at the base.
If you're weighing whether to make this specific detour, it comes down to how much time your itinerary has. It's not an essential stop the way Gullfoss or Skogafoss (Icelandic: Skógafoss) are, but for anyone who's already seen the well known sights and wants something quieter and less photographed, it earns its place on the route.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the walk at Fjadrargljufur (Icelandic: Fjaðrárgljúfur)?
The main rim walk covers about 2 kilometers round trip and takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour at an easy pace.
How far is Fjadrargljufur (Icelandic: Fjaðrárgljúfur) from Reykjavik (Icelandic: Reykjavík)?
About 250 kilometers, roughly a three hour drive under normal conditions.
Why is it important to stay on the marked path at Fjadrargljufur (Icelandic: Fjaðrárgljúfur)?
The canyon was closed to visitors for periods in 2019 due to erosion and damage from heavy foot traffic. Staying on the marked route is part of why the site remains accessible today.