Thingvellir is both a National Park & important historical site for Icelanders. It lies on the edge of two moving tectonic plates, which creates the dramatic landscapes we see today.
Thingvellir National Park History
Thingvellir is known for being the birthplace of the nation of Iceland. The Alþing general assembly was established around 930 at Thingvellir and continued to meet there until 1798. Later on it’s history, Thingvellir became a place for Icelandic delegates to continue to meet. It’s where they petitioned the Danish King for the same rights as Danish citizens. Today, Thingvellir is known as a symbol of Icelandic independence and a place to celebrate important events.
Tectonic Plates at Thingvellir
Thingvellir is one of the few places in the world you can see this type of tectonic movement. It is where the North American & Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The plates are currently moving apart at about 2 cm each year. While at Thingvellir, you are able to see the massive rifts created in the Earth by this movement.
Getting to Thingvellir
Thingvellir is about a 40 minutes drive from Reykjavik. It is a popular stop along the Golden Circle route, and the main road is maintained & plowed even in the Winter months. There are multiple parking lots you can park in when visiting Thingvellir. For a standard passenger car, the day pass for all parking options is 750 ISK (~$6). For a map of the hiking trails, parking lots & bathrooms, check out this link: Map of Thingvellir.
Thingvellir Visitor Center
For 1,000 ISK (~$7) you can visit the exhibit “Heart of Iceland” to learn more about Thingvellir. The exhibit focuses on the historical significance of Thingvellir to Iceland, as well as the nature of the area. The Visitors Center also has a small cafeteria & souvenir shop. For more information about visiting Thingvellir check out: Thingvellir National Park.
Exploring Thingvellir National Park
After exploring the visitors center, you’ll want to make your way to Hakid for a view over the National Park. From there, you can follow a path that leads down into the Almannagjá fault line. This was my favorite part of Thingvellir National Park because it was incredible to see how the rift had formed on the North American plate. The landscapes there are so dramatic!
Snorkeling at Silfra
A more adventurous activity that you can participate in at Thingvellir is snorkeling between the North American & European tectonic plates at Silfra. The water is extremely cold so you need to have proper gear and a licensed guide in order to go. It is said some of the clearest water in the world can be found in Silfra!
For example, Mark was able to snorkel with Dive.IS. They provide you with the snorkeling gear needed for the cold water, and even sometimes offer transportation to & from Reykjavik. This excursion costs 14,999 ISK (~$115).
To sum up, Thingvellir National Park is an awesome stop along Iceland’s Golden Circle. Its historical & geological significance is incredibly important to the Iceland we know today.
Skál, Amanda
