🌀 Horseshoe Bend Lookalike – Kerlingarfjöll
🗺️ How to Get There:
Located along F347, the highland road that leads from Ásgarður camping area (Kerlingarfjöll) up to Hveradalir geothermal zone. This particular spot is found just a few minutes up the hill from the main campsite, at a small pull-off on the right, before reaching the final rise to the geothermal area.
There’s no sign, but a short walk toward the cliff edge reveals an incredible glacial river carving a perfect horseshoe shape through dark rhyolite and snow-patched hills.
📅 Best Time of the Year to Visit:
Late June to mid-September, when the road is open and snow has mostly melted. Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon, or on cloudy days to emphasize texture in the canyon walls and soft glacial color in the river.
📸 Photography Tips
Best time of day:
Overcast light or late day golden hour for directional shadowing on the canyon ridges. The high walls and bright glacial water benefit from diffuse light.
Recommended gear:
Wide-angle lens to capture the entire river curve from above
Drone for a full top-down “horseshoe” view
Telephoto to compress bends and layers in the canyon
Composition ideas:
Shoot from directly above the bend using drone to get perfect symmetry
Include snow patches or green moss for contrast
Frame the curve against the surrounding ridges with a wide lens from the cliff
Early in summer, use snow fingers to frame and guide into the curve