Randonnée dans un canyon

Credit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons. Photo by Christoph Hess

Karahnjúkur describes two mountains and a power plant, found beside each other in east Iceland.

The power plant, Karahnjúkavirkjun, is the largest hydroelectric dam in Iceland and is largely used to bring electricity to the Fjarðaál aluminium smelter. While the environmental impact of both of these features has been a storm of controversy, Karahnjúkar is still a popular site for the scale of both the dam and surrounding nature.

The Jökulsá river and canyon lead away from Karahnjúkar. This river feeds Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall.

Photo from: Canyon Hiking Tour

Hafrahvammar is a vast canyon, north of Dimmugljúfur Canyon in East Iceland. 

Hafrahvammar is also known by the diminutive Hvammar. At Hvammar’s most southern point you can locate the cave Magnahellir. It is believed that shepherds from the ancient farmstead Brú resided in this cave. Since 2008, the canyon has been a popular hiking destination, but hiking through the area wasn’t possible before the damming of Kárahnjúkar. 

Hiking

To reach the area, you can drive north of the Kárahnjúkavirkjun Reservoir until you reach the crossroads at Laugavellir. From there, a road leads to a parking area by the neighbouring canyon of Dimmugljúfur. From there, signs point to different hiking routes leading to both canyons. 

Credit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons. Photo by Axel Kristinson.

Brúardalir is a series of valleys in Brúaröræfi in East Iceland. 

Surroundings

The valleys that make up Brúardalir are Laugarvalladalur, Sauðárdalur, Sauðárdalur’s continuation Vesturdalur, as well as Fagridalur and a few other smaller glens and hollows. There are tracks that reach this area from the village Brú, the settlement Möðrudalur and the heathland of Jökuldalsheiði. Starting from Brúardalir, hikers can easily continue to Dimmugljúfur Canyon, which is close to the highlands of Kárahnjúkar. 

History and Folklore

The area boasts a rich history of ancient settlements and is dotted with historical ruins, such as those of the farmstead Bakkastaður and its county church. According to legend, the farm got destroyed when its residents danced wildly in the cemetery on Christmas Eve. The earth started shaking and the entire abode sank beneath the ground. The valleys also hold many stories of being haunted or inhabited by evil spirits.