Easy
4.7
(551)
3,968
hikers
Öxarárfoss – Flosagjá Fissure loop from Þingvellir
01:18
4.90km
50m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: July 22, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Þjóðgarðurinn á Þingvöllum
Waypoints
A
Start point
Parking
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1
715 m
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.
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2
747 m
Lögberg (Law Rock) — Þingvellir National Park
Highlight • Historical Site
Lögberg, also known as the Whetstone, is a rocky outcropping in southwestern Iceland, on the site of the meeting of the country's Althing parliament. The original Althing was collected in Þingvellir, an area of dramatic landscapes easily accessible from the populated areas of the southwest. The exact location of Lögberg is unknown, due to the changing geography of the rift valley over 1,000 years. Two possible sites have been identified at Þingvellir, one a flat ridge at the top of a slope called Hallurinn (currently marked by a flagpole), the other in the Almannagjá fault against a rock face. The Lögberg was the place where the legislature (lögsögumaður) took his seat as the presiding officer of the assembly of the Althing. Speeches and announcements were made from this spot. Everyone present could make their argument from the Lögberg. The meetings were also called and dissolved from there. The Lögberg fulfilled its purpose from the founding of the parliament in 930. It ceased to be used in 1262, when Iceland swore allegiance to Norway.
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3
893 m
Drekkingarhylur (Drowning Pool)
Highlight • Historical Site
Drekkingarhylur, also known as the Drowning Pool, is a deep water pool in the river near the bridge over the Öxará River, located in the heart of the Þingvellir National Park. It is a historic place with a dark past.
In ancient times, when drowning was a common method of execution, the fate was sealed here in the deep waters of the pool. Women, often accused of witchcraft, were tied in sacks and thrown into Drekkingarhylur. A macabre ritual: if the woman drowned, she was considered innocent; If she managed to free herself, she was branded a witch and put to death again.
In ancient times, when drowning was a common method of execution, the fate was sealed here in the deep waters of the pool. Women, often accused of witchcraft, were tied in sacks and thrown into Drekkingarhylur. A macabre ritual: if the woman drowned, she was considered innocent; If she managed to free herself, she was branded a witch and put to death again.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
1.85 km
Öxarárfoss
Highlight • Waterfall
Small but very picturesque waterfall, especially in winter. Absolutely visit.
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5
2.17 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
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
Tip by
6
3.76 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.
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7
4.22 km
Þingvallavatn
Highlight • Lake
The lake lies in the so-called Þingvellir Rift and is surrounded by four active volcanic systems: Prestahnúkur and Hrafnabjörg in the northeast, and Hengill and Hrómundartindur in the southwest.
The lake is estimated to be about 12,000 years old, making it the first glacial lake to have formed at the end of the last ice age. It was initially a glacial lake. At the end of the last ice age, the glacier blocked the water's outflow. Eventually, the glaciers retreated, the land beneath the Hengill volcano rose, and the lake deepened.
The lake is estimated to be about 12,000 years old, making it the first glacial lake to have formed at the end of the last ice age. It was initially a glacial lake. At the end of the last ice age, the glacier blocked the water's outflow. Eventually, the glaciers retreated, the land beneath the Hengill volcano rose, and the lake deepened.
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8
4.31 km
Wooden boardwalk in Thingvellir National Park
Highlight • Trail
This is indeed a beautifully constructed wooden path and also a shortcut. However, I suggest using one of the suggested routes so that you can fully enjoy all the topics.
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B
4.90 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
3.31 km
827 m
510 m
163 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
2.14 km
949 m
846 m
585 m
365 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Today
Wednesday 29 July
11°C
2°C
21 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Comments
Showing Translation
today we went to the start of the road trip through Iceland at about 10 degrees directly onto the route of the Golden Circle (the classic tour for Icelandic tourists).
Station 1 is Þingvellir (Thingvellir); it is a historical site and a national park in Iceland, east of Reykjavík, known for the Althing, Iceland's parliament from the 10th …
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