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Whether you make this a stop along a road trip route or the main attraction of the journey, visiting Almannagjá is a must when you holiday in Iceland. This 8-kilometer-long gorge has significant historical and geological value. Icelanders have been flocking here for over a thousand years and they love nothing more than to show it off to visitors.
Introduction of Almannagjá
When going along the Golden Circle in Iceland, there are plenty of awe-striking stops along the route. Thingvellir is the main attraction and often the first major stop along the route. Almannagjá literally translates to “the Public Canyon,” which hints at its importance in Icelandic history.
The Geology of Almannagjá
Iceland lies on the border between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. As you probably know, tectonic plates move around and interact in different ways. Sometimes they bump into each other and create massive mountains like the Himalayas, and sometimes they move away from each other and create volcanic islands like Iceland.
When the plates move away from each other, large rifts are opened in the ground that will either be filled in with broken-off pieces of rock from the edges of the plates or filled with lava that eventually hardens. On a large scale, this division creates islands like Iceland if enough lava comes through the cracks. On a smaller scale, it creates a gorge.
In the case of Almannagjá, it has been a good mix of molten and fallen rock. It is the reason for the stunning and versatile landscape that can be seen throughout the gorge, creating lakes, rivers, cliffs, and flat valleys.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Iceland
What makes up the tectonic plate border is called the Mid-Atlantic ridge and goes through (you guessed it) the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The interaction between the tectonic plates has created many island groups along the ridge, but Iceland is by far the largest.
If you look at a map of Iceland, you’ll see that the ridge goes right through the Almannagjá fault. If you want to walk between continents on the ridge stretching from the North Pole to the South Pole, Almannagjá is the place to be.
Historical Context
Historically, Almannagjá is an important place for Iceland as a nation, since this is where the first parliament of the country was established (the Althing) and held for the first couple of hundred years. The Lawspeaker would stand on a rock at the Althing and tell everyone the laws of the country and help settle disputes among the locals.
This assembly happened once every year in each of the Nordic countries and was one of the most important events of the year. This event would go on for several days and allowed not only for disputes to be settled but also gave room for people to make trades and deals.
The Icelandic Althing is the oldest parliamentary assembly in the world that still exists today, even if it is now held indoors in Reykjavik rather than on a rock in Thingvellir.
Where Almannagjá is and How to Get There
As mentioned earlier, Almannagjá lies in Thingvellir National Park in the central-south part of Iceland. It’s roughly 50 kilometers from the amazing Reykjavik, so it’s well-suited for a day trip.
You’re most likely to enter Almannagjá Gorge on the western side. This particular area allows you to walk along a pathway that takes you down the gorge and all the way to Öxarfoss.
Drive Yourself
Our favorite way of getting around is by taking the wheel and maneuvering the roads ourselves. To get to Almannagjá from the capital, drive on Ring Road 1 and head north until you get through Mosfellsbaer. After the town, take right on Road 36 until you reach the western entrance to Thingvellir National Park.
Tours
The way to get to Almannagjá is by taking a Golden Circle or Thingvellir tour. Both of these types of tours will depart from Reykjavik, often early in the morning, and be a full day of travel. These tours are great for those who don’t want to spend any time or energy on driving or planning a route.
The only drawback with the tours is that you won’t be in complete control, so you’d have to adhere to the given schedule, even if you want to spend an extra few minutes in a specific spot.
Activities and Attractions
Almannagjá is an incredibly long and busy gorge that you can spend days exploring if you’d like.
Hiking the Gorge
It’s hard to visit these things without taking the opportunity to hike in Iceland. The nature is simply too good to miss out on, and the area around Almannagjá is no exception.
The absolute best way of experiencing the area is to go on foot like the Vikings did back in the day. The full Almannagjá gorge hike is moderately challenging, not because of the terrain but because of the length and variation in elevation.
Visit the Original Althing
A must-visit when you’re in the area is the original spot where the original Althing was held. The gatherings always surrounded Lögberg – or Law Rock as it would be called in English. This rock can be found roughly 550 meters north along the path from the main parking area.
From there, you can continue on the path for another kilometer to get to Öxarfoss waterfall – the man-made waterfall in Thingvellir.
Snorkeling in Silfra
If you’re a little more adventurous and not afraid of the cold, taking a snorkeling tour in the Silfra Fissure should definitely be on the agenda. Even though having a dip in an ice-cold glacial lake might not be the most attractive activity to do on holiday, it allows you to float in an incredibly deep emptiness between two continents.
To dive in Silfra, you need to have a lot of proven experience, a habit of diving in very cold waters, and the ability to take instructions well underwater. The crystal-clear water invites you to explore the underwater world, but due to the instability of the various nooks and crannies, most of the fissure needs to stay unexplored.
When is the Best Time to Visit Almannagjá?
Almannagjá lies in Thingvellir National Park, which is open to all visitors at all hours of the day and all year round. You can, if you want to, visit the gorge whenever you like, day or night, summer or winter. The paved roads in the area are well-maintained, so you can visit any time of the year without worrying about the weather.
Regardless of when you want to visit, it’s always advisable to check the weather forecast before you go. Unless you’re going with a tour, checking the forecast and making a plan is good practice to get the best out of your visit.
Even though you can come and visit whenever you want, the summer in Iceland will likely be your best time to visit. The temperature is comfortable, nature is in full bloom, and you will have plenty of hours of sun during the day (and night). However, the prices will be higher since it’s peak season, and there will be plenty of people with the same idea as you.
The winter is well-suited if you’re not afraid of wind, rain, and snow. There will be smaller crowds, lower costs, and less daylight. You will be able to get some amazing photographs with Almannagjá covered in snow, though.
What to Do Close to Almannagjá
The vicinity of Almannagjá offers a myriad of attractions. Below, we’ve gathered a few sights and activities you can try out:
- Horseback Riding in Thingvellir
- Visit Geysir Geothermal Area
- Relax at the Laugarvatn Fontana Spa
- Visit the Cave People House in Laugarvatnshellar
- Fish in Thingvallavatn Lake (the peak of fishing in Iceland)
Where to Stay Close to Almannagjá
As we said earlier, you could spend several days exploring the gorge and its surroundings. To avoid driving an hour every day to just get into Thingvellir, finding accommodation nearby Almannagjá is recommended.
- Thingvellir Campground is our top pick when we’re on a budget and want to spend our money elsewhere. WC, showers, cooking facilities, and guards on site.
- Lake Thingvellir Cottages is a good pick for the one who’d rather sleep inside but not necessarily overspend the budget. WiFi, Kithcenette, and 2 bedrooms per cottage.
- ION Adventure Hotel is the pricier option with a restaurant, bar, spa with an outdoor hot pool, and adventure tours that are bookable in reception. This is well suited for the one who is looking for luxurious accommodation.
Almannagjá – a Slice of History and Breathtaking Nature
Visiting historically important sites like Almannagjá is part of experiencing the island, and you’ll find plenty of these around the Golden Circle route. Get close to the original Iceland when you visit the Althing, see an ancient man-made waterfall, and stand between continents. All you need to do now is rent a car in Reykjavik and start your adventure!
