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The western edge of the rift valley. From Hakið the path leads down through the gorge to Lögberg.
The western edge of the rift and the place where the Alþing met.
Alþing on site
about 930 to 1798
Commonwealth period
930–1262
Law Speaker's term
3 years
Subsidence since 930
almost 4 m (13 ft)
Independence declared
1944 at Lögberg
Hikes & tours: Almannagjá, Silfra, walking and fishing
Through Almannagjá to Lögberg
From the Hakið visitor centre the path leads down into the gorge to Lögberg and on to Öxarárfoss. According to the park, the paths at the assembly site are well signposted.
Diving and snorkelling only in pairs, no deeper than 18 m (59 ft), no caves. Divers need a diving licence and a dry suit certificate or ten dry suit dives in two years.
Hikes & tours: Almannagjá, Silfra, walking and fishing
Snorkelling in Silfra
According to the park, Silfra is one of the best dive sites in Iceland, with visibility of about 100 m (328 ft). The park does not provide equipment; tour operators bring dry suits.
Silfra's water comes from Langjökull and seeps through the lava for about 30 years before it emerges. That is why visibility reaches about 100 m (328 ft).
How to get there from Reykjavík: Road 36 or a Golden Circle tour
Where to park
P1 at the Hakið visitor centre for Almannagjá, P2 below Öxarárfoss, P5 Valhöll for the church and Silfra. All three charge a fee; one ticket is valid for all.
Where to stay: four campsites at Leirar and by the lake
ISK 1,800 per night
Adults aged 18 to 66 pay ISK 1,800, seniors and disabled visitors ISK 900, children up to 17 nothing. Electricity for motorhomes ISK 1,100 for 24 hours.
Where to stay · Abandoned farm, tent site, fishing spot
Vatnskot
On the shore of Þingvallavatn, about five kilometres (3 mi) south of Leirar. A tent site in summer and the most popular fishing spot in the park.
Hikes & tours: Almannagjá, Silfra, walking and fishing
Fishing for ISK 2,500 a day
On the northern shore of Þingvallavatn between Leirutá and Langitangi, from the shore only. Children accompanied by an adult with a permit fish for free. Used equipment from abroad must be disinfected.
An abandoned farm in the middle of the rift valley and the goal of a popular walk.
Hikes & tours: Almannagjá, Silfra, walking and fishing
Walks to abandoned farms
Away from the assembly site, most paths lead to the abandoned farms of Hrauntún, Skógarkot and Vatnskot. Maps are available as PDF on the park's website.
On Hrafnagjá, the eastern fissure of the rift valley. Between Almannagjá and Hrafnagjá the land has subsided.
Þingvellir National Park: where Iceland founded its parliament
A rift that keeps widening
Þingvellir lies in a rift valley about seven kilometres (4 mi) wide between Almannagjá and Heiðargjá. Since the lava flow 10,000 years ago the land has sunk about 40 m (131 ft) and been pulled apart by 70 m (230 ft).
