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Iceland

Öxarárfoss – Flosagjá Fissure loop from Þingvellir

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Hiking trails & Routes

Iceland

Öxarárfoss – Flosagjá Fissure loop from Þingvellir

Moderate

4.3

(47)

241

hikers

Öxarárfoss – Flosagjá Fissure loop from Þingvellir

02:49

10.8km

80m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: May 27, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Þjóðgarðurinn á Þingvöllum

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

246 m

Hakið Viewing Platform

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Þingvellir viewing platform, also known as Hakið, is an important viewing point in the Þingvellir National Park in Iceland. The platform offers beautiful views of the park and the surrounding nature, including the Almannagjá gorge. It is located next to the visitor center, which offers an interactive exhibition about the history and nature of Þingvellir.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.93 km

Öxarárfoss

Highlight • Waterfall

Small but very picturesque waterfall, especially in winter. Absolutely visit.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.25 km

Stekkjargjá (Dead Man Walking)

Highlight • Historical Site

Dead man walking
During the time of the Old Commonwealth (930-1262) executive powers in Iceland were very limited. At the Alþingi (national assembly) at Þingvellir, laws were enacted, and cases were tried in accord with those laws, but verdicts had to be enforced by individuals.

In minor cases, fines were imposed, while
graver cases entailed exile for three years or even lifelong outlawry. If a convicted person flouted the verdict and turned up where he was not allowed to be, he might be killed by the family of his victim: such cases of vengeance are common in the Sagas of Icelanders.

After the Icelanders submitted to be ruled by
the King of Norway in 1262, legal codes provided for punishments to be implemented by royal officials, at Alpingi and regional assemblies.

Punishments and placenámes
Many placenames at Þingvellir are reminders of the harsh punishments inflicted here. Women were drowned in Drekkingarhylur (the Drowning Pool), men were beheaded on Höggstokkseyri (Execution Block Spit), which may have been on an islet in the Öxará river. Kagahólmi (Scourge Islet) is probably where offenders were flogged, while Brennugjá (Fire Gorge), to the west of Flosagjá, derives its name from the burning of alleged wizards and witches in the witch-hunts of the late 17th century.

Gálgaklettur (Gallows Rock)
Hanging was the penalty for theft. The rift
Stekkjargja is believed to have been the site of the hangings.

As follows did Einar S. Einarsen priest at
Þingvellir 1822-1828 Gálgaklettur.
"The gallow ... was between two independent
rocks that were called Gálgaklettar (Gallows Rock) in Almannagjá, east of the road that lies along the gorge toward Langistígur. I don't think that there was space for more than one each time but it is possible that two were able to hang in a row. There [Gálgaklettar] human bones were found and quite near my time a leg bone was found."

Seventy-two people are known with certainty
have been executed at Þingvellir from 1602 to 1750: 30 males were beheaded, 9 burned
to at the stake and 18 women were drowned in Drekkingarhylur. Here in Stekkjargja 15 men
were hanged.

Source: Local signage

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2.75 km

Skógarkotsvegur Gorge, Þingvellir National Park

Highlight • Gorge

Narrow water-filled gorge on the Skógarkotsvegur, a 4.5 kilometer hiking trail in the park. The water in the gorge is so clear that you can also see the rocks below the waterline.

Translated by Google •

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3.20 km

Þingvallahraun Lava Field

Highlight • Natural Monument

Þingvallahraun is a vast lava field located in the Þingvellir National Park in Iceland. It was formed from a shield volcanic eruption that occurred about 10,000 years ago. This lava field is special because it collected and filtered glacial water, resulting in clear spring water. Today, Þingvallahraun is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers, with several hiking trails passing through the impressive lava field.

Translated by Google •

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9.29 km

Flosagjá Fissure

Highlight • Gorge

Located in the Þingvellir National Park, Flosagjá is an impressive gorge that is part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This gorge, which contains crystal clear water that maintains a constant temperature of 3-4°C all year round, is a remarkable natural wonder. Flosagjá is about 730 meters long and reaches a depth of about 25 meters. It is named after Flosi Þórðarson, an important character in the Brennu-Njáls saga, who is said to have jumped the gorge to escape his enemies.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

9.51 km

Thingvellir Church

Highlight • Religious Site

Located in the Þingvellir National Park, Þingvallakirkja is one of the oldest churches in the country. The current wooden structure dates from 185921, but the original church was consecrated in the 11th century. Inside are several bells from earlier churches, a wooden pulpit from the 17th century and a painted altarpiece from 1834. The cemetery behind the church is the final resting place of the independence era poets Jónas Hallgrímsson and Einar Benediktsson. The church is usually closed unless there are staff around.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

10.1 km

Thingvellir National Park

Highlight • Natural Monument

We then walk down a wide path to the Almannagjá (All People's Gorge), which is not only geologically interesting as one of the largest faults in this region, but also has great historical significance as the former meeting place of the Icelandic Parliament. The legal texts used to be read out on a wide path along the gorge, along the Lögberg crowned with a flagpole.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

10.8 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.75 km

2.16 km

876 m

810 m

195 m

Surfaces

4.63 km

3.94 km

1.15 km

474 m

448 m

148 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Thursday 25 June

8°C

3°C

89 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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Öxarárfoss – Flosagjá Fissure loop from Þingvellir

Hakið Viewing Platform

Öxarárfoss

Stekkjargjá (Dead Man Walking)

Skógarkotsvegur Gorge, Þingvellir National Park

Þingvallahraun Lava Field

Flosagjá Fissure

Thingvellir Church

Thingvellir National Park

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