Thingvellir: An Adventure in Iceland

Here’s the thing: Thingvellir National Park is one of Iceland’s coolest adventure destinations. Have you dreamed of hiking in Yosemite or trekking through Yellowstone? These well-trodden outdoor destinations have become increasingly popular over the years and are far flung for our Europe-based travellers. Thingvellir National Park offers a worthy alternative.

Set across two separate tectonic plates, and boasting epic natural scenery, with activities ranging from fissure snorkelling and gorge walking to hiking trails and rushing waterfalls, Thingvellir Park is a prime location for an action-packed adventure. Happy hikers and adventure seekers can avoid the crowds and explore closer to home by discovering the magic of Thingvellir National Park. Here are some incredible things to explore in Iceland’s national shrine:

Walk between two continents

One of the most incredible features of the park is the Almannagja gorge which runs between two of the Earth’s continental plates. A wander through this astonishing path that goes directly through the gorge, lets visitors tread the line between the Eurasian and North American continents.

The gorge is one of the few places in the world where you can see the changes in the Earth’s surface, and tectonic plates sticking out of the Earth’s crust. Take time to marvel at the unique natural beauty where geology and ecosystems come together to make this destination so special.

Snorkel Or Scuba Dive Silfra Fissure

Would you ever have thought that one of the best places for scuba diving in the world would be in the middle of a national park in Iceland? A visit to the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir is sure to make you believe it.

This incredible crack in the Earth’s surface reaches an impressive depth of 131 feet. The water here is so crystal clear, divers can sometimes forget which way is up once they have descended. Enter this glassy underwater world and explore the rocky surfaces of the fissure walls for another incredible geological display.

If diving is too deep, visitors can snorkel and enjoy this beautiful phenomenon at the surface instead.

Book your trip to Thingvellir with JourneyHero!

Go for a hike

With hundreds of trails to choose from, Thingvellir is a hiker’s paradise. Visit the Hakid Visitor Centre near the park’s main entrance to explore a variety of routes that range from short and easy to moderate and more challenging terrain.

Hiking is the perfect way to see many of the park’s main attractions such as Thingvellir Church, known as one of the prettiest churches in Iceland, Iceland’s largest lake, Thingvallavatn, and the Althing which is the site of one of the first parliaments in the world.

Hike the Lögberg – Drekkingarhylur Trail for an easy walk that takes you around the Law Rock and the Althing meeting spot as well as the Drekkingarhylur area where the Drowning Pool is located.

This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about Iceland’s fascinating history. Whilst the Drowning Pool is a lovely spot to take a refreshing dip in the warmer summer months, it was once tragically used to drown women for having adulterous romances.

Be blown away by Geysers

Thingvellir - Geyser Geothermal Area

A visit to the Geyser Geothermal Area is sure to blow you away. This remarkable landscape is a paradise of hot springs with a regularly active Strokkur geyser bursting a column of boiling water to impressive heights that can reach over 130 feet, every five to ten minutes.

This dramatic scene is uniquely breathtaking, and the reliability of the Strokkur geyser makes for plenty of picture-perfect moments. Surrounding the area, visitors can explore an array of fumaroles, hot springs, and mud pits. For that extra bit of magic, visit in winter for the chance to see a geyser burst under a sky lit up with the Northern Lights.

Chase waterfalls

The Oxarafoss Waterfall within Thingvellir Park is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. Whilst the falls aren’t very large, they are astonishingly beautiful. Crystal clear water rushes over glossy dark rocks, and bright green moss frames either side of the falls.

If huge and powerful waterfalls are more to your taste, then Gullfoss Falls or ‘The Golden Falls’ are not to be missed. Plummeting 105 feet in two tiers into the gorge of river Hvita, Gullfoss Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. Surrounded by snow and ice and a sky of Northern Lights in the winter and shining under a permanent blue sky in the summer, this really is a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

The epic natural beauty of Iceland is accentuated in Thingvellir National Park. This amazing destination offers so many unique adventures, perfect for every kind of explorer. One of the best ways to explore this incredible destination is by taking a tour along the Golden Circle route which includes Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall, which can be completed in one day.