Gjáin Canyon

Gjáin is a small, lush canyon oasis in Þjórsárdalur, filled with waterfalls, pools, lava formations, and basalt structures. It is one of the best “high reward” stops in inland South Iceland for travelers who want a quieter nature experience away from the busiest routes.

Planning your route? Read our driving in Iceland guide and browse day tours in Iceland for ideas on your travel days.

What you will see in Gjáin

Gjáin packs an unusual amount of scenery into a small area: small waterfalls, calm pools, mossy lava shapes, and basalt textures. The river Rauðá runs through the canyon and creates several beautiful water features, including Gjárfoss, a small waterfall framed by striking rock formations.

How to get to Gjáin

From Reykjavík, the typical route is Route 1 → Route 30 → Route 32 into Þjórsárdalur, then turn onto Road 327. Road 327 is gravel and can be bumpy, especially after rain.

Two access options

• From Stöng: park by the historic farm area and walk to Gjáin. This is a popular approach for visitors who want an easy hike.
• Upper access: there is also parking above Gjáin where you can walk down into the canyon (often preferred when you want the shortest access).

Always check conditions on road.is before you go.

Best time to visit

Gjáin is most straightforward to visit in the main summer season when access roads are typically in better condition and daylight is long. In shoulder seasons, it becomes more weather-dependent, so it is a “check-and-go” stop rather than a guaranteed one.