Sigöldugljúfur, also known as the Valley of Tears, is a canyon in the Icelandic Highlands. It is most renowned for and earned its nickname from its sheer number of waterfalls. Considered one of Iceland’s hidden gems, Sigöldugljúfur is a fantasy-like space in the central Highlands of Iceland. It is renowned for its many waterfalls; vividly blue water; abundant vegetation; lava landscapes; and its incredible surroundings. Though by no means as large as other canyons in Iceland, it has still garnered attention for its unique, oasis-like beauty.
It is growing increasingly popular amongst hikers and avid photographers due to the small crowds it attracts; it is a still little-known site and relatively far from other major attractions. It is just north of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, a mountainous area with many hot springs on the popular Laugavegur Trail from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, but this route passes through Fjallabak’s south.
Interestingly, Sigöldugljúfur was not always a canyon; it was once filled with the water from the Tungnaá river, before the instalment of the Sigala hydroelectric station which changed the geography of the area. Though controversial for many reasons, hydroelectric power provides over 70% of Iceland’s renewable electricity.
