The Bridge Between the Continents
The Bridge Between the Continents is a 15-metre footbridge on the Reykjanes Peninsula that spans the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It is one of the very few places on Earth where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above sea level, making it possible to walk between two continents in a matter of seconds. Entry is free and it is about 25 minutes from Keflavik International Airport.
A Footbridge Across the Rift Between Two Tectonic Plates
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a vast underwater mountain range that runs from the Arctic to Antarctica, marking the boundary where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart at a rate of about 2.5 centimetres per year. Iceland is one of the only places on Earth where this ridge rises above sea level, and the Reykjanes Peninsula sits directly on top of it. The Bridge Between the Continents, also known as Leif the Lucky Bridge after the Norse explorer Leif Erikson who is believed to have reached North America around the year 1000, was built in 2002 as a symbolic structure spanning one of the many fissures that form as the plates diverge. The bridge itself is 15 metres long and arches over a visible crack in the lava, with a plaque marking the midpoint between the two continents.
The site is more symbolic than dramatic in scale, but that is precisely the point. Standing on the bridge with one foot in Europe and one in North America, above a fissure that is slowly widening every year, gives a tangible sense of geological forces that are almost impossible to conceptualise otherwise. The surrounding landscape adds to the atmosphere: jet-black lava fields stretch in every direction, the Atlantic coastline is close by, and the Reykjanesviti lighthouse is visible on the hill to the south. Entry is free and the site is open at all times. A personalised crossing certificate can be collected from the visitor centre at the Duus Cultural House in Keflavik or the Folk Museum in Gardur nearby.
The bridge is located off Road 425 near Sandvík on the western tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 25 minutes from Keflavik International Airport and around 50 kilometres from Reykjavik. This makes it a popular first or last stop for travellers on short Iceland stopovers. It pairs naturally with the Gunnuhver geothermal area and Reykjanesviti lighthouse a few minutes away, and the Blue Lagoon is around 25 kilometres east. Note that the surrounding area has experienced increased seismic activity in recent years due to ongoing volcanic unrest on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Stay on marked paths and check safetravel.is before visiting.
