Fjaðrárgljúfur is a stunningly beautiful canyon located in southern Iceland, famous for its dramatic rock formations and crystal-clear waters. This natural wonder has been attracting visitors from all over the world for many years, and for good reason.
The canyon is around 100 meters deep and stretches for about 2 kilometers, with steep walls that rise up to 100 meters in some places. The river Fjaðrá flows through the canyon, creating many small waterfalls and rapids along the way. The landscape is truly breathtaking, with the sheer size and scale of the canyon making visitors feel small and insignificant.
Fjaðrárgljúfur is believed to have been formed during the last Ice Age, around 9,000 years ago, as glacial floods carved out the rock and created the canyon. Since then, the river has continued to erode the rock, shaping and sculpting the canyon into the awe-inspiring natural wonder that we see today.
For many years, Fjaðrárgljúfur was a well-kept secret, known only to a few adventurous hikers and photographers. However, the canyon gained international attention in 2015 when it was featured in a music video by the pop star Justin Bieber. The video, which was filmed on location in the canyon, received millions of views on YouTube and put Fjaðrárgljúfur on the map as a must-see destination for tourists visiting Iceland.
Unfortunately, the sudden influx of tourists has also had a negative impact on the fragile ecosystem of Fjaðrárgljúfur. In order to protect the canyon, the Icelandic government closed it to visitors in 2019, citing concerns about erosion and damage caused by foot traffic. While this decision was undoubtedly necessary to preserve the canyon for future generations, it was met with disappointment by many tourists who had been planning to visit.
Today, Fjaðrárgljúfur remains closed to visitors, but the canyon can still be appreciated from a distance. Visitors can admire the canyon from various viewpoints along the nearby road, or take a hike along the surrounding trails for a closer look. While it may not be possible to stand at the bottom of the canyon and feel its grandeur in person, the beauty of Fjaðrárgljúfur is still something to behold.