Moderate
77
runners
Öxarárfoss – Flosagjá Fissure loop from Þingvellir
00:36
5.56km
50m
Running
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: July 10, 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
1.05 km
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.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
1.20 km
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
3
2.16 km
Öxarárfoss
Highlight • Waterfall
Small but very picturesque waterfall, especially in winter. Absolutely visit.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
2.48 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
5
2.96 km
fir forest
Highlight • Forest
A rather old pine forest, rather untypical for Iceland, nice to walk through.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
4.01 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.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
4.22 km
Thingvellir Church
Highlight • Religious Site
Located in the Þingvellir National Park, Þingvallakirkja is one of the oldest churches in the country. The current wooden structure dates from 185921, but the original church was consecrated in the 11th century. Inside are several bells from earlier churches, a wooden pulpit from the 17th century and a painted altarpiece from 1834. The cemetery behind the church is the final resting place of the independence era poets Jónas Hallgrímsson and Einar Benediktsson. The church is usually closed unless there are staff around.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
4.24 km
Thingvallarbær (Prime Minister’s Summer Residence)
Highlight • Monument
Thingvallarbær is the official summer residence of the Prime Minister of Iceland and is also used for ministry receptions. The building, designed by architect Gudjón Samúelsson, was built in honor of Althingi's millennium celebrations in 1930. It originally had three facades and a turf roof. In 1974, two facades were added on the south side, which became the Prime Minister's official summer residence until the ministry acquired the entire building.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
5.56 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
3.68 km
665 m
610 m
308 m
266 m
Surfaces
1.88 km
1.37 km
797 m
787 m
571 m
120 m
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Wednesday 15 July
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