Gjáin

Top choice in The South


A walking path from Stöng farm takes you a couple of kilometres to a lovely little lush valley, Gjáin, full of twisting lava, otherworldly caves and spectacular waterfalls. The dirt road (4WD recommended) from Stöng also continues on to the upper ridge of the valley and to a small waterfall. Gjáin simply means 'rift'.

It was used as a filming location in Game of Thrones.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The South attractions

1. Stöng

0.54 MILES

Buried by white volcanic ash in 1104 during one of Hekla’s eruptions, this ancient farm once belonged to Gaukur Trandilsson, a 10th-century Viking who…

2. Þjóðveldisbærinn

3.19 MILES

Þjóðveldisbærinn is a reconstruction of Stöng, exactly reproducing its turf-covered layout and its neighbouring church. Staff here wear period dress and…

3. Hjálparfoss

4.22 MILES

Twenty-six kilometres northeast of Árnes along Rte 32, take a short (1km) detour along a signposted track to this delightful waterfall. The azure falls…

4. Háifoss

4.4 MILES

Iceland’s second-highest waterfall, Háifoss is a magnificent 128m-high cascade that plunges off the edge of a majestic plateau into an undulating lava…

5. Hekla Volcano

11.28 MILES

One of Iceland's most active volcanoes, Hekla stands at 1491m, and has erupted 20 times since 874, most recently in the year 2000. In a 4x4, it's possible…

6. Hekla Center

13.66 MILES

The Hekla Center is part of the Leirubakki compound (camping, hotel and restaurant). It details the explosive history of Hekla in a deliberately dark…

7. Hellnahellir

15.98 MILES

On the farm of Hellar in Landsveit, this 50m long human-made cave was built up to 11m below the soil at its deepest point. Inside a barn, visitors walk…

8. Gullfoss

16.99 MILES

Iceland’s most famous waterfall, Gullfoss is a spectacular double cascade dropping a dramatic 32m. As it descends, it kicks up magnificent walls of spray…

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