The Víðidalsá River flows through Kolugljúfur Gorge in Iceland, which is greater than one kilometer in length with a depth of up to 50 meters — but Kolugljúfur Gorge also holds the unfortunate distinction as being named by the Icelandic Tourist Board as one of the top ten most dangerous places to visit in the country.
Kolufossar Waterfalls at Kolugljúfur Gorge in Iceland
Kolugljúfur canyon is named after Kola, who was a giant female troll. According to folklore, Kola created the gorge by digging it up. In the hayfield at Kolugil, there is a hill where Kola — as well as her treasure — is said to be buried. The hill is protected under her spell.
Visitors become so mesmerized by the beauty of the area that they do not keep enough distance from the edge of the cliff, as they get too close and fall. They also tend to get carried away and forego their safety while taking photographs of the Kolufossar Waterfalls. No guard rails, barriers, or fencing are available as protection to help prevent anyone from falling off of the cliff on either side of the river.
Adding to the danger is that people like to walk along this bridge with the wooden deck to take photographs — but motor vehicles do use this bridge; and when the area is busy, people have been known to have been struck by motor vehicles when they are not careful. The bridge is too narrow to accommodate both motor vehicles and pedestrians simultaneously.
Although Kolugljúfur Gorge is becoming more well known and popular, it is still not nearly as busy as any of the sites of interest within the Golden Circle of Iceland. Chances are good that you will enjoy Kolugljúfur Gorge with few people — or even no one else — around the area.
Kola purportedly lived in the canyon, which was shaped over time by her daily activities — such as where she slept and where she cooked the salmon she caught in the Víðidalsá River. Sometimes she would eat the fish raw right out of the river.
Even a slightly different view of Kolugljúfur Gorge and Víðidalsá River offers a slightly different perspective of the natural beauty in the area.
In some areas of Kolugljúfur Gorge, the waters of the Víðidalsá River can appear as a deep green or vibrant blue — depending on where one stands.
Kolufossar Waterfalls can be seen under and behind the bridge which crosses over the Víðidalsá River at Kolugljúfur Gorge.
Final Boarding Call
Give yourself at least 30 minutes to enjoy viewing Kolugljúfur Gorge in the western part of northern Iceland — although you will likely want to spend more time there.
No admission is charged to see Kolufossar Waterfalls at Kolugljúfur Gorge; and it is never closed to anyone who wants to visit it. Complimentary parking is available in a small parking lot nearby; but no facilities are available at the site.
Plan to spend at least two hours and 40 minutes to drive the approximately 208 kilometers from Reykjavik.
All photographs ©2018 by Brian Cohen.
