Canyoning in East Iceland

The east of Iceland is its least-visited quarter — a region of long fjords, reindeer, waterfalls and deep, green valleys almost no tourists reach.

Fossárdalur, the 'waterfall valley', is exactly what its name promises: a steep, cascading gorge that makes for superb canyoning, where you abseil down waterfalls, slide natural chutes and swim through cold pools, working your way through the heart of the rock.

Guided descents here combine rope-work, jumps and swims in a spectacularly scenic and blissfully uncrowded setting, far from the honeypots of the south.

For adventurous types touring the quieter east, it's a thrilling, full-body way to experience the landscape from the inside — and to have a whole gorge, and very likely the whole valley, entirely to yourselves. It's one of the east's real hidden gems.

A guided canyoning descent following a waterfall gorge downstream by every means the water demands: abseiling down falls on a rope, sliding polished rock chutes, jumping (optionally) into pools and swimming through cold, shaded sections in a wetsuit.

The water is cold and the day is physical — scrambling, downclimbing and swimming for a few hours in an environment you can't easily leave once you commit.

Guides handle the rope-work and read the water; you need to be a competent swimmer, comfortable with heights and cold, and reasonably fit. It's an intermediate activity rather than a beginner one, but doesn't require prior canyoning experience on the guided routes.

Expect to be cold, wet and exhilarated, in a beautiful, remote gorge with almost certainly no one else around. The mix of adrenaline and scenery is the draw.

The season is summer, roughly June to August, when water levels and temperatures allow. Go with a qualified canyoning guide — the East is remote and independent descents here need serious local knowledge and rescue capacity.

Book a route matched to your level; guides supply the wetsuit, harness and helmet, and you bring a swimsuit and secure footwear that can get wet. Be a confident swimmer and honest about your comfort with heights, cold and jumps.

Eat well beforehand and expect to be cold and tired afterwards. Because the east sees few visitors, trips are smaller and quieter — check availability ahead as operators are fewer. Combine it with the region's other quiet highlights.

For adventurous travellers exploring beyond the usual circuit, it's a memorable, uncrowded canyoning day in a gorgeous setting.