A fantastic naturalistic tour of Iceland

Iceland 17 to 26 June 2010

The images of this trip: a lunar landscape, lava and mosses, the heavens and lights, waterfalls, geysers, geysers.
Top five: Myvatn area, Dettifoss Hveravellir, Snaefellsnes peninsula, the glacial lagoon.

Thursday June 17
Departure from London Heathrow with SAS flight to Copenhagen. In two hours we reach Copenhagen, with almost 6 hours to stop it aprofittiamo to visit the city center. A great day with circa18 º - 20 º. From the city center by metro (10 minutes). We go down to Crhistianhavn, Christian visitors with its colorful houses, workshops, artists, banchettini with hashish exposed. Dried beef sandwich, along the canal, a visit to the area of the royal palace (Crhistianborg) and the pedestrian area until Koniglatz.
Copenhagen is invaded by bicycle, there are all types and sizes, with trolley, trailer, tandem, and so on and so forth.
We return to the airport and at 19:45 we board flight to Reykjavik with Iceland air, about 3 hours of flight. Landing at Keflavik, rain and 10 º.
We pick up the car at the budget, booked through "autoescape", we buy a phone card, retrieve the material information office and head Keilir Hotel, located in the main street of Keflavik, 2 rooms with sea view and a sunset red one o'clock at night, when the clouds for a glimmer of hope on a sun for the next day.

Friday June 18
Keflavik - Selfoss - 170 km
Hearty breakfast at the Hotel Keil, change in bank 1 EUR = 153 ISK.
Spending the day at the supermarket and 10/11 is exploring the Reykjanes peninsula. Take the road going Hafnia, through fields filled with blue flowers (blue lupine), heather and sea roses. Now Iceland is being felt with its desolate lunar landscape. First stop the "bridge between two continents" where the two American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. After a ray of sunshine, the sky darkens again and a light drizzle falls. Once in Grindavik take the detour to the Blue Lagoon. It is a source rich in geothermal silica, minerals and micro-algae, which give the water a milky blue colorzaione. The water in the spa area is about 38 º - 40 º. The entrance fee of € 28 per person to the right of access to the pools and saunas (dry and wet).
The temperature outside is about 13 º, but in the water is divine.
A snack at the café of the SPA, ritual photos from the terrace overlooking the whole geothermal area and move into Hverageroi soi.
Hverageroi is located in an area of geothermal activity, a number of fumaroles and sulfur mines are seen emerge from the sides of the mountain overlooking the town. Hay to the main road a huge golf course, stretching between the various fumaroles. Walk the edges of the pools of boiling water. We arrive at the Selfoss Fosstún Apartements to 20:00. The apartments are equipped with kitchen facilities, it aprofittiamo to prepare a pasta with salmon.


Saturday, June 19
Selfoss - Selfoss 380 km
The day is spent visiting the Cricoli gold. The day begins with uovole low and sometimes a light drizzle, making it even more cozy atmosphere. Continue into Pingvellir, along the banks of a huge lake. Once in Pingvellir visit the site from the car park near the church go up in the rift that separates the above from the U.S. Geological Eurasian plate, and reaching the highest point where you can enjoy a fantastic view of the lake. The main interest of the site, however, lies in the fact that here, in 930, he was the first European parliament, is here also in 1944 that was created is now the Republic of Iceland. We continue our journey towards Geysir, the famous area full of geysers and steam jets, where he was active until 1930 the famous "Geyser" which gave its name to these natural phenomena. Geysir is presently inactive, but its close relative the Strokkur, is still working with jets at regular interval of 4 minutes. The frequency depends on the speed of the jet give water inflow in underground room and therefore can vary at different times of the year. In addition to Strokkur in the area there are other pools of boiling water. Hot soup at the restaurant the service station next to the park and in the meantime, the clouds have thinned out, leaving room for a deep blue sky. Accustomed as we are to pay for everything all the thing that strikes us is the fact that in Iceland access to parks and areas of natural beauty and tourism is completely free. With the sun, the landscape acquires a different light and fields of blue lupine contrast with the dark silhouettes of the mountains. The blue lupine is practically invading Iceland and apart from the fantastic color effect, especially on sunny days, is building a serious problem for the conservation of biological diversity. We come to Gulfoss a Casaca impressive and very scenic. Shortly after 35 that crosses the road Gulfoss Iceland becomes a dirt road from south to north, but still in good condition. Attracted by the beauty of the area and especially the description of the area Hveravellir, we decided to continue up to this town located about 90 km north of Gullfoss. With our normal car we still have to pay attention to the rocks scattered on the roadway that could seriously damage your car. We go so early in the territories of the trolls and elves. The Icelandic law is deeply felt, the map of Iceland that can be found at the airport out in detail all areas of popliteal trolls, ghosts and elves. Unfortunately, these legends circulating in their territories only during the night, but in June there is no night in Iceland, the sun drops below the horizon about one o'clock at night, to reappear after a few hours, but everything remains clear as in the day. So for us little chance to meet ghosts, elves and trolls. In any case, are numerous in this area that the trolls were recklessly exposed to daylight and were then transformed into stones. Just before we encounter Hveravellir also a sign indicating the presence of ghosts. Hveravellir is a geothermal area in the desert, there are trough is reached after extensive lava fields and beaches. On a camping place, a room in the shelter and a swimming pool with thermal water. The colors range from burnt area of the sulfur yellow, black volcanic earth comes out of a cone with a jet of steam power. After a walk through the fumaroles and a coffee break we resume the way back to Selfoss. The sun goes down at 8:09 in the evening give the landscape of amazing colors and shadows.

Sunday, June 20
Selfoss - Smyrlabjorg 390 km
Sunny day, we go. First stop the cascade of Seljalandsfoss attractive, the trail passes behind the waterfall. We are in the area of the recent eruption of Eyafjallajokull, clouds of dust I carried by the wind invades the environment, in some places seems to be in the middle of a sandstorm. The whole landscape is beautiful areas are still covered by volcanic ash. Stop at the waterfall Skogarfoss the effect of the sun gives the impression of walking into a rainbow. Fill the bags of volcanic ash and off again to Vik and the National Park of Skaftafell.

 

Unfortunately there is not enough time for the trip with the sled dogs that organize near Vik, the glaciers of Mýrdalsjökull. The huge shape of the glacier Vatnajökull appears on the horizon with its glaciers and huge expanses of sand. The expanse of Skeidararsandur is about 1000 km. A walk to the waterfall in Skaftafell Dettifoss (1.5 hours) suggestive because it falls in the amphitheater of black columnar basalt. Snack overlooking the glacier and we share Smyrlabjorg to the farm, but the long day is not yet finished, the sun goes down it creates a special light on the mountain and when we come to the glacial lagoon
Monday June 21
Smyrlabjorg - Hallorstamdur 420 km
Sunny day. Breakfast at the farm has been ranked as the best we know in Iceland. Several home-made products including an excellent roast lamb, cod and paste a legendary jam. Retrace our steps to the glacial lagoon to have a look in a different light. The blocks of ice floating in the lagoon until their size allow you to pass the narrow passage that connects the lagoon to the sea. On the beach large blocks of ice stranded on which violate the inde of the sea.
We leave to the East Fjords, whale watching along the road near the lagoon of Lon, and numerous swans, ducks down, arctic terns, gulls, woodcock and snipe. The road along the ocean offers panoramic views at every turn. The lunch stop is in a dream location, the cliff below us on the beach and hundreds of black ducks down (Eider), which in turn move on fish stocks. Some whale check from time to time. We leave the N1 to take the 939. In a few kilometers from the ocean to spend a landscape of high mountains with snow at our sides. We take the N1 and the first to arrive at Egilsstadir, turn left towards the lake Lagarfljot, where a monster is said to live, away Prent that of Lockness.
We settle into the hotel and guesthouse dell'Hallormastadur whereas only the 7 night we decided to take a trip to the fjord Seydisfjordur. To achieve Seydisfjordur you pass from a passage surrounded by frozen lakes, although the month of June, the outdoor temperature is still 6 degrees. The descent to the village is among a backdrop of waterfalls and cascades, the inevitable sheep surround. The village has a central core with a score of wooden houses that have been recovered. Hot chocolate at the cafe of the Hotel and return to Hallormstandur Snaefell.

Tuesday June 22
Hallormstandur - 410 km Myvatn
Cloudy, but with large clearings. Borgarfjordur first destination today for a visit to the colony of puffins. The puffins arrive on this reef between April and May for reproduction, digging nests in the ground and towards the middle or end of June, the chicks are born. Near the port cé considered an island nature reserve on which there are an enormous amount of puffins in the hustle and bustle to the prosecution of food to feed pulcinotti. Back on the road take a left turn on a track that leads to the crater Haskja. After 8 km to reach the coffee Fjalladyrd Modrudalur, where we allow ourselves the famous mutton soup.
We share in a northerly direction and after about 40 km take the right track 864 which brings us to the waterfall Dettifoss. Awesome! The dark gray sky, the water color dark cats, which will discharge a tremendous roar in a ravine of basalt stones, it seems to be the end of the world. A little further upstream of the waterfall is Dettifoss Selfoss, with a series of waterfalls in the form of an amphitheater, not very tall, but majestic. Retrace the path that leads us to the car park near Dettifoss that of each of Myvatn. Before crossing the last hill and then descend to Myvatn on the left opens the show hellish Námafjall (Hver) with its bubbling mud pools and fumaroles. We settle the Helluhraun Guesthouse, a private house with 3 bedrooms for guests. The owner is a very friendly lady that leaves the kitchen to prepare a plate of spaghetti. We decide to stop two nights, so we can visit with calm all worth around Myvatn.

Wednesday June 23
Myvatn - Myvatn 95 km
Day dedicated to the area around Myvatn. First stop of the day, Viti crater, located above the geothermal station, a huge crater with land still seething and shades ranging from yellow to red to black.
We go down to the area of Leirhnjukur with huge tongues of lava, bubbling mud pools and fumaroles that emerge from all sides, in some areas the soil is still very hot. Return to Reykjahlid and we stop at the spectacular site of Námafjall (Hver), sulphurous pools and boiling, the sky was clear and incredible colors from yellow to orange to gray. The steam comes out almost everywhere. She returns to Reykjahlid for lunch in Gamla Baerinn to try the typical local dish: smoked char with the traditional bread baked in the lava. In the afternoon the weather deteriorates, strong winds and light rain, we climb on the crater Hverfjall, then we plunge into the fairytale Dimmuborgir, then continue around the lake with the area of pseudo craters, caves and Grjotagja to reintro Reykjahlid to repeat with the restaurant Baerinn Gamla.
Thursday June 24
Myvatn - Grundafjordur 520 km
Great stage of transfer to reach the peninsula of Snaefellsnes. First stop to visit the waterfall Godafoss. Once in Varmahlid we deviate to the farm glaumbaer, a complex of buildings in peat with different rooms that recreate the atmosphere of rural life of old Iceland. On the side of the farm you can not miss the Askaaffi with its fabulous buffet of pastries, ham, lamb, smoked trout and the ever Skyr. He resumed the race to the west and reach the Snaefellsnes peninsula, with a fantastic light. Short stop in Stykkisholmur and then continue to where we settle Grundarfjordur Framnes Hotel, quite expensive in relation to the service offered (20500 ISK double). Photos in the midnight sun (though in fact almost set in the night).

Friday June 25
Grundafjordur - Keflavik 315 km
Day dedicated to Snaefellsnes peninsula. First stop the beach Djupalon blacks with its stones and the remains of the vessel washed ashore in English in 1947. Lunch Arnarstapi, outdoor terrace on the pebble beach. Visit to the cliffs of columnar basalt, and again on the south coast of the peninsula. We leave for a short visit to Reykiavik evening. Starting from the cathedral down to the center, where we have dinner all'Austur, not bad! We leave for our last night to Keflavik in Iceland Hotel Keil.

Total 2700 km

Saturday, June 26
Keflavik - Milan Malpensa