When the river flows to where the gorge is, its banks suddenly narrows, the narrowest point being only 20 m. in width. From the peak of the jokul on the west bank to the river there is a drop of 3,900 m., thus making it one of the deepest canyons of the world. With a length of 16 km. it is divided into the upper, the middle and the lower sections, having 18 rapids. A huge square stone, Tiger's Leap Rock, stands in the river. The river's swift currents, racing like a thousand horses, with cataracts pounding the banks, are awe-inspiring and spectacular. It was given the name, according to the legend, because a hunted tiger made his excape to the other side of the gorge in a single leap.

The hike through the gorge is very popular. It takes about two days with one night at the small town of Walnut Grove, which is the approximate halfway point.