Þingvellir National Park tells the story of Iceland’s formation, both as a land and as a nation. On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll traverse the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates while discovering how this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site became the birthplace of Icelandic democracy.

Starting at the Öxarárfoss P3 parking trailhead, you’ll stroll through the magnificent Almannagjá gorge, where tectonic plates are shifting apart at a rate of a few centimeters per year. I’ll explain how this constantly evolving rift is linked to the powerful forces that continue to shape Iceland’s unique terrain.