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Múlagljúfur Canyon Private Tour

About 12 hoursGroup: Private tour, only your groupEasy to moderatePrivate vehicle and guideAge 8+June–September
5.0(1 review)
Hangandifoss waterfall dropping into Múlagljúfur canyonMúlagljúfur canyon in the evening lightThe green walls of Múlagljúfur canyonMúlagljúfur canyon from the air
The river winding through Múlagljúfur canyon

A Múlagljúfur canyon private tour with your own guide and vehicle. You stop at South Coast waterfalls on the way, then hike into a canyon with views of Vatnajökull and Fjallsárlón, away from the main crowds.

SeljalandsfossSkógafossMúlagljúfur canyonHangandifoss waterfall
  • Your own local guide and vehicle, for your group only
  • A canyon hike that most South Coast itineraries skip entirely
  • Hangandifoss, one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland
  • Views of Vatnajökull glacier and Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon from the trail
  • Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls on the way

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-upYour guide meets you in Reykjavík or at a South Coast pick-up point.
2SeljalandsfossSeljalandsfossA tall waterfall with a path that loops behind it.
SeljalandsfossSeljalandsfossSeljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss drops 60 metres from what was once the edge of the coastline, before sea levels fell after the last ice age. The Seljalandsá river is fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that erupted in 2010 and grounded flights across Europe. It is one of the few waterfalls in Iceland with a path behind the falling water, so expect to get wet and bring a waterproof jacket.

Walking · short loop path, wet behind the falls
Read our Seljalandsfoss guide →
3SkógafossSkógafossA wide, powerful waterfall with a staircase to the top.
SkógafossSkógafossSkógafoss

Skógafoss falls in one broad curtain about 60 metres high and 25 metres wide, right beside the village of Skógar. On sunny days the spray usually throws a rainbow, sometimes a double one, across the pool at its base. A staircase of 527 steps leads to a viewpoint at the top, where you can see the river before it drops.

Walking · flat path to the base; steep stairs to the top
Read our Skógafoss guide →
4Múlagljúfur canyon hikeMúlagljúfur canyon hikeA hike of a bit over 2 miles each way to a canyon viewpoint.
Múlagljúfur canyon hikeMúlagljúfur canyon hikeMúlagljúfur canyon hike

Múlagljúfur is a canyon below the Öræfajökull ice cap, between Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón, with two waterfalls dropping into a green gorge. Hangandifoss, about 120 metres high, falls over mossy cliffs at the side, with Múlafoss further in at the head. The car park is 2 kilometres up a gravel road from the Ring Road, and the trail to the canyon viewpoint is steep and uneven, about 3.8 kilometres out and back. The trail climbs gradually along the canyon rim, on narrow paths with loose rock in places, opening up to views of Vatnajökull glacier and Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon.

Distance · about 3.5 km (2.35 miles) each wayTime here · 35–60 minutes each way, plus time at the viewpointWalking · narrow path, loose rock and some overgrown sections
Read our Múlagljúfur guide →
5Hangandifoss waterfall dropping into Múlagljúfur canyonHangandifossOne of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland, seen from above.
Hangandifoss waterfall dropping into Múlagljúfur canyonWaterfalls and river in Múlagljúfur canyon

Hangandifoss is a long, thin waterfall, about 120 metres high and one of the tallest in Iceland, dropping down the canyon wall. You first see it about 15 minutes into the hike, and again from the main viewpoint further on. Keep to the path near the canyon edge.

Tip · keep to the path near the canyon edge
Read our Múlagljúfur guide →
6Back to ReykjavíkDrop-off at your pick-up point.

About the Múlagljúfur canyon private tour

Múlagljúfur is a canyon in the southeast, close to Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon, that most visitors never see because it takes a proper hike to reach. This private tour builds a full day around it: your guide drives you east along the South Coast, stopping at the well-known waterfalls, then leads the hike into the canyon itself.

The hike follows a narrow path with some loose rock and overgrown sections for a bit over 2 miles (about 3.5 km) each way, climbing gradually to a viewpoint above Hangandifoss, one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls. Most people take 35 to 60 minutes each way at a comfortable pace, with wide views of Vatnajökull and the surrounding mountains along the way.

Because the drive out to Múlagljúfur is around four and a half hours from Reykjavík, this is a long day of about 12 hours, and it only runs from June to September when the trail and access road are clear. Good footwear matters here: the ground is uneven and can be slippery after rain.

Pick-up is available from Reykjavík or from South Coast towns such as Hella and Hvolsvöllur, which shortens the day. Airport pick-up can be arranged for an extra fee.

Included

  • Private guide and driver
  • Private vehicle
  • Water and snacks
  • Parking fees on the route

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Optional activities
  • Keflavík Airport pick-up or drop-off (available for a fee)

What to bring

  • Sturdy hiking shoes with good grip
  • Waterproof, layered clothing
  • Small backpack
  • Water bottle
  • Camera

Good to know

  • The price is per vehicle, for your whole private group
  • Duration is about 12 hours; pick-up from Reykjavík, Hella, Hvolsvöllur or Vík is possible. With a Vík pick-up you skip Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss and focus on the canyon hike
  • Runs June to September only
  • Difficulty is easy to moderate: easy at the waterfalls, then an easy-to-moderate hike to the canyon on an uneven, narrow trail
  • Minimum age 8
  • No toilets at the canyon; last facilities are at the South Coast waterfall stops
  • Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start. No refund within 48 hours.

Questions people ask

Is the price per person or per group?

Per vehicle and group. The price in the booking box is for your whole private group.

How hard is the canyon hike?

Easy to moderate. It is a real hike, not a short walk: a bit over 2 miles each way on a narrow, sometimes uneven path, taking most people 35 to 60 minutes each way. The minimum age is 8.

Can we start from Vík or the South Coast instead of Reykjavík?

Yes. Pick-up from Vík focuses on the canyon and skips the waterfall stops, which shortens the day.

Does this run in winter?

No, it runs June to September, when the trail and access road are reliably open.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 1 review
5 stars1
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
Magical

This private tour to Mulagljufur Canyon felt like stepping into a secret fairy-tale. The cliffs and waterfalls were breathtaking and relative peace compared to Iceland’s more popular destinations. Our guide led us along the hiking trail, making every river crossing and steep stretch feel achievable. Reaching the rim rewarded us with sweeping, dramatic views that were worth every step.
The best day for me and my husband!

Janet
From220,000 ISKPer vehicle, for your whole group

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