Iceland

Let yourself be impressed by the island of ice and fire.

Ásbyrgi canyon

Ásbyrgi canyon

The lush canyon of Ásbyrgi is more than a kilometre wide and more than three kilometres long, and is shaped like a huge horseshoe.
The lush canyon of Ásbyrgi is over a kilometre wide and more than three kilometres long, and is shaped like a huge horseshoe.Legend has it that the canyon acquired its distinctive horseshoe shape thanks to Sleipnir, the 8-legged flying horse of the Norse god Odin. One fine day, while Odin was merrily strolling with Sleipnir, the horse accidentally touched the earth with one of its giant hooves, creating the mighty canyon.While this explanation for the shape of the canyon is entirely reasonable and credible, geologists claim that two massive floods of the Vatnajökull glacier are responsible for its formation, the first 10,000 years ago and the second 3,000 years ago.The large rocky "island" in the centre of the canyon and its surrounding high walls have protected the area enough to allow lush vegetation to grow. It is a very special place for a hike or just a quick picnic.