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Iceland

Thingvellir National Park – View of the Thingvellir Rift loop from Þingvellir

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Iceland

Thingvellir National Park – View of the Thingvellir Rift loop from Þingvellir

Moderate

4.3

(121)

503

hikers

Thingvellir National Park – View of the Thingvellir Rift loop from Þingvellir

03:04

11.8km

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: April 29, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Þjóðgarðurinn á Þingvöllum

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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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 •

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837 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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868 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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1.99 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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2.42 km

View of the Thingvellir Rift

Highlight • Gorge

Nice view from here on the gorge

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2.67 km

Rift Trail in Þingvellir National Park

Highlight • Gorge

Here the gorge path becomes narrower and narrower and leads away from the other highlights

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10.7 km

Silfra Fissure

Highlight • Gorge

Also worth a visit for non-divers.

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11.2 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.

Translated by Google •

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11.8 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.61 km

4.18 km

544 m

354 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

7.52 km

1.67 km

1.54 km

740 m

239 m

< 100 m

Elevation

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Weather

Today

Monday 18 May

13°C

-1°C

0 %

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Thingvellir National Park – View of the Thingvellir Rift loop from Þingvellir

Hakið Viewing Platform

Thingvellir National Park

Lögberg (Law Rock) — Þingvellir National Park

Stekkjargjá (Dead Man Walking)

View of the Thingvellir Rift

Rift Trail in Þingvellir National Park

Silfra Fissure

Wooden boardwalk in Thingvellir National Park

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