Ásbyrgi
The footprint of Sleipnir
It is most likely that the canyon was formed by two catastrophic glacial flooding of the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum. The first one about 8-10.000 years ago, after the last Ice Age, and the second one about 3.000 years ago. The river has since changed its course and now runs about 2 km to the east.
The legend sais that Sleipnir, the eight legged horse of Óðinn, stepped down on the ground there with one of its hooves as Óðinn rode by and therefore goes the place by the nickname Sleipnir's footprint.
In the year 2010 scientists begun to count visitors to the canyon and the newest numbers are from 2015. July is the most popular month with visitors and it peaked in 2014 when just over 10.000 cars drove to the canyon, but only 8.000 cars drove there in 2015. In July 2014 there were 35.347 guests and in July 2015 the numbers drop to 28.008 guestst.
Most tourists both foreign and domestic seek the beautyful landscape and the raw nature. The canyon is also famous for good weather.
Ásbyrgi
Ásbyrgi
Ásbyrgi
Einar Berg Árnason, 6. MLG
Bibliography
Wikiwand. (Án dagsetningar). Ásbyrgi. Sótt af http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ásbyrgi#/overview