Canyoning isn’t a well-known sport in Iceland yet, so it’s understandable why you may not be familiar with it. Let’s dive straight in! Canyoning is a sport that uses a variety of techniques (some with technical ropework) to descend a canyon. These canyons don’t have to be wet, they can be dry, but the wet ones are usually more fun!
At Ice Guardians, we’re proud to have introduced canyoning to Iceland. We provide Half-Day Canyoning Under Vatnajökull and Private Iceland Canyoning Experiences tailored to personal needs. This expertise means we’re perfectly placed to guide newcomers to the sport.
In this blog, we’ve broken down what defines a canyon, the essentials for getting into canyoning, and what you can expect on a canyoning adventure with Ice Guardians. Scroll down to get started! And if you have any questions for the Ice Guardians team, please just get in touch for the answers you need.
Iceland is the Land of Fire and Ice… and Canyons!
Iceland is dotted with canyons (in Icelandic, gil or gljúfur) all over. This is mostly because the Land of Fire and Ice has seen, and still has, massive glaciers and rivers. Ice covers more than 11% of the land and there are over 30 active volcanic systems as well! Inevitably, these conditions produce huge floods that rip through the relatively young and brittle basaltic landscape, forging it into new shapes. Relentless erosion by rivers and waterfalls over millennia has created steep-walled cuts in mountains and hills.
Finally, there are the Ice Age glaciers. These would’ve ploughed through the landscape and polished the bedrock. These mostly retreated c.~12,000 years ago leaving behind small and large canyons.
Canyons are a big deal here, which is why we wrote the blog What are the Canyons You Must See in Iceland? Read it when you have finished here for our recommendations.
Is Canyoning in Iceland a New Sport?
Canyoning is certainly a new-ish sport in Iceland. In fact, we didn’t just introduce it here, we are also the one and only commercial canyoning operators in the country. However, it’s a popular sport in the European Alps, as well as the UK, USA, South Africa, Oceania, and more. It is well-established the world over, and many adventurers have visited Iceland to descend canyons.
What Do You Have to Do to Descend a Canyon?
As a well-developed outdoor pursuit, the techniques are essentially similar worldwide. They firstly allow a team to follow the path water takes, some of which involve using ropes. One minute you could be paddling in a blue pool, the next you could be rappelling down a waterfall. Other techniques involve scrambling, jumping, sliding, and down-climbing.
If you’ve already got a taste for Iceland canyoning adventures, we think you’ll love our blogs What are the Most Scenic Waterfalls in Iceland? and A Complete Guide to Hiking in Iceland. Read both to plan even more exciting experiences during your trip.
What Equipment Do You Need for Canyoning in Iceland?
When exploring new canyons (aka ‘first descents’), you need to carry quite a bit of technical equipment. We at Ice Guardians have done the hard preparatory work to minimise the gear that you need to carry. Much of the equipment comes from caving and climbing, but some has been adapted for working in wet environments.
What Do I Wear and Carry?
Clothing
- Shoes: Where we operate in particular, neoprene boots with a grippy sole and closed-toe protection are useful. At other times, well-draining walking shoes and amphibious water sandals work too. We provide footwear so you can keep yours dry for after the trip. Let us deal with the wet gear.
- Socks: Neoprene socks will keep your feet toasty; they are thicker than normal socks. Since we use boots, we also provide neoprene socks or you can bring a thick comfortable pair of wool/synthetic hiking socks.
- Wetsuit: The name of the country gives it away… canyoning in Iceland without the correct clothing will be chilly, even in the summer! During your check-in, we will fit you with a neoprene wetsuit plenty thick enough to keep you nice and warm. And on the cooler summer days, we can provide booster neoprene vests for most body sizes for an extra level of comfort. Please get in touch to find out more about available sizes.
- Gloves: We provide neoprene gloves freely for the trip so you can keep your hands toasty even when playing in chilly waters.
Be sure to read our blog A Smarter Iceland Packing List + What to Wear in Iceland for even more local tips and insights about what to put in your suitcase!
Safety Equipment
- Harness*: We provide harnesses fitted with seat protection to protect your wetsuit and backside when rubbing on rock and debris.
- Descender*: ‘It does what it says on the tin’. A device that allows you to safely descend a rope with good technique. Before we use these for real, your guide/s will instruct you on how to use them safely. You’ll also have a chance to practice beforehand.
- Cows Tail (Safety Line)*: A personal safety line attached to your harness. It allows you to clip into an anchor (with attached carabiners) in order to move safely around exposed areas.
- Rope*: Not something you as a client will have to carry or handle. The only time is when you’ll be descending a section. They’re essential for the team to move safely down the canyon.
- Helmet*: Another essential piece of safety equipment, especially in the dynamic environment we operate in. Helmets will protect you from falling debris and when tripping over.
*All equipment is inspected regularly as per IGI Safety Management Plan.
Don’t forget…
- Snacks: It can get exhausting having fun! Producing and using adrenaline when you’re jumping into pristine pools, along with walking in and out of rivers, will eventually tire you out. But we always bring a sweet treat to keep your energy levels up.
- Waterproof Camera/ Phone/ GoPro: Capture the wonderful memories you will make. We only operate in wet canyons, so it is a good idea to have a waterproof case for peace of mind. Don’t forget to tag @iceguardians_iceland in your photos on social media! We love to see the trip through your eyes.
What Can I Expect Canyoning in Iceland with Ice Guardians?
The Ice Guardians team puts a lot of work into making canyoning sites as safe as possible beforehand. This allows us to focus on taking you safely down an aquatic canyon. We operate in our backyard surrounded by the glaciers and mountains of Vatnajökull National Park, southeastern Iceland, so this is an area we know inside out.
On arrival, we’ll suit and boot you first before starting a pre-departure briefing. We then set off on an easy hike through an old farmstead that is now forested by pines and larch. This might be a unique moment on your Icelandic holiday as forests are not abundant anymore in Iceland, something you can learn about from your guide/s.
We operate under the highest standards of safety and use a minimum of two guides to every eight guests. This means we can be efficient and spend more time being active. Before we begin our descent, we will go over rappelling techniques and practice in a safe area. We begin in the shallows with some jumps and slides into crystal-clear water. After this, we progress towards more thrilling rappels and jumps as we get into the depths of the canyon.
Enjoy Iceland Canyoning with Ice Guardians!
We hope you’re more knowledgeable about canyoning in Iceland now! Have we inspired you to embrace adventure and book a trip with us at Ice Guardians? Browse our Iceland canyoning adventures to start planning your experience with us.
If you have any pre-booking questions for us, please feel free to get in touch. Our team is here to help however we can!
