Skagafjordur: Bolugil waterfalls and canyon
near Varmahlíð, Norðurland Vestra (Ísland)
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Itinerary description
The "Bólugil canyon" is located 18 km south east off Varmahlíð, in the Skagafjordur. The waterfall is visible from the circular road 1.
It is a beautiful gorge where the river Bóluá falls from about 180m height and shapes 6 waterfalls in a row, 4 of them are really impressive. The walls are high and steep and the colors of the stones vary from brown and ocher to red. On the top, you will enjoy a huge panorama of the vast plain of the Héraðsvötn river and the surrounding mountains.
The imposing 150-metre-high waterfall is SPECTACULAR and worth the visit from both sides of the river. This trail propose to admire the cascade in a circle around both edges of the canyon. Differences of flora are important from one side to the other. On the right bank, you get grassy grasslands but moss, lichen and fir on the other.
There is no marked trail with signs, but the way up is easy to figure out.
At one point, you will have to cross the river Bóluá at ford. At one km upstream from the falls, it is feasible without much problems.
The river takes its name from the sagas. The legend tells that a woman witch Troll called Bóla lived in a cave of the canyon and stole and threatened the neighbouring farmers. Her story ended when a brave shepherd drowned her in a pool in the Bóluá river.
It is a beautiful gorge where the river Bóluá falls from about 180m height and shapes 6 waterfalls in a row, 4 of them are really impressive. The walls are high and steep and the colors of the stones vary from brown and ocher to red. On the top, you will enjoy a huge panorama of the vast plain of the Héraðsvötn river and the surrounding mountains.
The imposing 150-metre-high waterfall is SPECTACULAR and worth the visit from both sides of the river. This trail propose to admire the cascade in a circle around both edges of the canyon. Differences of flora are important from one side to the other. On the right bank, you get grassy grasslands but moss, lichen and fir on the other.
There is no marked trail with signs, but the way up is easy to figure out.
At one point, you will have to cross the river Bóluá at ford. At one km upstream from the falls, it is feasible without much problems.
The river takes its name from the sagas. The legend tells that a woman witch Troll called Bóla lived in a cave of the canyon and stole and threatened the neighbouring farmers. Her story ended when a brave shepherd drowned her in a pool in the Bóluá river.
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Just don’t go hiking there, just look at the beautiful scenery from down the hill
It's rather odd and inappropriate that Lisa's only comment on Wikiloc in two years is a negative criticism of this superb walk, on the nonsensical pretext that you can better see the scenery downhill !? Not only is this untrue, but bear in mind that our main aim on this short hike is to get closer and admire the 6 waterfalls and to explore this magnificent canyon by walking up the gorge. No wonder the Bólugil canyon walk is recommended by the people of Skagafjordur themselves, proud of their exceptional heritage. QED.
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Did it today with my girlfriend, we get lost at the end, but finally we found the exit