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Home , Eldey, Geyser, Geysir, Hoffell, Selfoss (waterfall), Seljalandsfoss

Hosting you since 1937

Self Drive 7 days , and

Foss á Síðu Welcome to ! To make your stay in Iceland more enjoyable, we would like to draw your attention to the following:

△ This booklet contains a standard itinerary. △ The kilometer/mile distance per day is not If you have added nights, please note that precise. The distance may vary depending the itinerary has not been customized to on the location of your accommodation show such amendments. and the detours you take each day.

△ This itinerary is a guideline for your travel △ On your accommodation itinerary you in Iceland. The route may vary according will find a detailed address list, describ- to your overnight stay and road condi- ing how to reach your accommodations. tions, especially during April/May and The accommodation itinerary also has a September/October. reference number, which is valid as your voucher. Official hotel check-in time is △ Even with the long daylight, you will not 14:00-18:00. If you arrive any later, it’s be able to visit every nook and cranny nor courteous to notify the hotel. enjoy all the fun things suggested. Please choose between the sites mentioned △ Breakfast is always included during your depending on your interest as time limits stay, but no other meals. Many of the your possibilities. rural hotels and guesthouses offer nice dinner at a reasonable price.

2 Self Drive Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls A few favourites from the trip

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Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Self Drive 3 Day 1: Arrival Pick-up your rental car and explore Reykjanes Peninsula Stykkishólmur ➠➠Approximate driving distance: 60 km / 37 miles 4-5 Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for Reykjavík 1 Jökulsárlón details about your overnight stay Keflavík 6 pon your arrival in Iceland you’ll find your Hveragerði Urental car help desk in the arrival hall at 2-3 Keflavik Airport. The desk is open every day Vík from 5:00am – 5:00pm and again from 9:00pm- wash of the jet lag and relax in the milky 1:00am. The staff will advise you where to find of the Lagoon and perhaps enjoy a glass of the your vehicle. famous Blue Lagoon cocktail while you let the If you are arriving early enough in the day algae mask bring out the skin’s inner glow! we recommend driving along the southern Kindly note that the Blue lagoon is very coast of the Reykjanes peninsula. Start your popular year around and therefore you should journey with a soak in the Blue Lagoon. Follow book ahead. road no. 41 towards Reykjavik until you find If you are not relaxing in the lagoon at the road no. 43, leading south towards Grindavik. beginning of your trip you continue on road Before you reach Mt Þorbjorn you make a number no. 43 until you find your way to right turn to the Blue Lagoon area. To make it Grindavik. Take a left onto road no. 427 and easier you can just follow the rising up explore the southern coastline on your way to through the air! At the Blue Lagoon you can Hveragerdi.

4 Self Drive Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Follow this winding road along the Day 2: shoreline, past stand-alone houses, rock South Coast formations, and endless sea views. Take a quick Thundering Waterfalls, Cliffs & Stone Arches, detour on road no. 42 to Krysuvik Geothermal Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore, Puffin Area and Kleifarvatn Lake, which are a part of Colony the Reykjanes fissure zone. Continue on your journey on road no. 427 ➠➠Approximate driving distance: until you reach road no. 38 which will take you 190 km / 118 miles to the charming village of Hveragerdi. The vil- Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for lage is one of the few sites in the world located details about your overnight stay directly on top of a geothermal area and because of its many greenhouses heated by hot lease note also that some of the stops on from nearby springs it is often called the Pthis day can be incorporated on day 4. flower village. From Hveragerði you will continue your trip You can take a detour to Stokkseyri, where on road no. 1 to . On your way to Selfoss you can find an interesting museum, called you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Ice- the Ghost Center or Draugasetrið, tel. 483 landic horse park Fakasel which is located on 1202, displaying all of the most well-known your right hand side after passing road no. 375. ghosts in Iceland. The entrance is located on Turn left onto road no. 35. The next village the south side of the building by the harbour. to explore is at lake Laugarvatn, a geothermal The museum is not recommended for children area. It is said that when Christianity was legal- younger then 12 years old. The museum is open ized in the year 1000, the chieftains from the June-August from 13:00-18:00. north, who refused to be baptized in the cold water of Þingvellir, were brought to Laugar- vatn to be baptised in the warm . At the Fontana Geothermal Baths you can relax in

Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Self Drive 5 the warm geothermal pools and natural steam mighty Þjórsá, Iceland’s longest and the rooms while enjoying the spectacular views most important source of electric energy in the over the lake. country. At the entrance to the Þjórsárdalur area is a colourful geothermal field , you can stop for a short climb to the top in a 3 km2 (1.2 mi2) area where hot springs and of Gaukshöfði, a rocky crag with the mighty geysers are abundant. Geysir spouting spring river at its foot and a splendid view of Mt. is the world’s largest , whose name is Hekla, Iceland’s most famous . You the generic term for this strange phenom- take road no. 327 to Stöng, the excavated ruins enon. Geysir, believed to have formed in the of a Viking-age farmhouse in a fair state of thirteenth century, has a bowl 18 m (59 ft) in preservation. If you walk on the path along the diameter with a 20 m (66 ft) deep chamber brook you will enter a beautiful called below. Its eruptions are majestic and after the Gjáin, which can easily be compared with big in 2000 it has erupted several paradise. It offers miniature landscape, brooks times. A smaller, adjacent hot spouting spring, and waterfalls where harlequin ducks can often Strokkur, is a popular attraction, erupting at be spotted and you can have a perfect relaxa- 5–10 minute intervals. The whole area contains tion. Turn back to road no. 32 and continue into a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. the -encircled valley with mounds Please be careful around the hot springs and of volcanic ash, pumice covered hills, red and and stick to the -paths. pink-toned pseudo craters and lava crags rising You continue your journey further north above the valley floor. You will soon find the to waterfall, the “Golden Waterfall”. beautiful waterfall Hjálparfoss, framed in It is a beautiful double-folding fall that many twisted columns. Nearby you will also believe to be the most scenic in Iceland. It find Þjóðveldisbærinn, a replica of an old thunders 32 m (105 ft) over a into a gorge, Viking farm, open during the summer season. which measures 2.5 km (1.5 miles) in length You will follow that road until you get to and up to 70 m (230 ft) deep in places. road no. 26. While driving on road no. 26 you Drive down on road no. 30 and turn to road will be passing through dramatic scenery as you no. 32 to Þjórsárdalur Valley. When you reach are in the proximity of the volcano Hekla. The road no. 32 you will follow the course of the lunar-like landscape is in most parts covered

6 Self Drive Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls with thick layers of ash and lava. There is an interesting Hekla exhibition at Leirubakki at road no. 26 where you can learn about volcan- ism in general and the history of Mt. Hekla. Open daily from 10:00-22:00, tel. 487 8700. Keep on your journey on road no. 1 through the fertile farmlands of the south, towards the east through the small villages of Hella and Hvolsvöllur, where trade and services are the main occupations. You will have frequent views of , including the majestic Mt. Hekla. Mt. Hekla is without a doubt Iceland’s most famous volcano. It is still very active, erupting most recently in 1970, 1980, 1981 and in 1991. The last eruption started on 26th February in 2000 and lasted for 12 days; the lava from this eruption covers approximately 18 km² (47 mi²). Instead of a classical volcano cone, Hekla is part of a rather squat series of ridges, although this is usually hidden behind a thick of clouds that earned Hekla its menacing name, which means the hooded one. Soon after the settlement period, in 1104, Hekla showed that it was a presence to be feared as it erupted without warning and devastated 20 farms in the Þjórsárdalur Valley. Indeed the volcano’s fame grew so much that the Europeans in the middle Ages believed it was the gateway to hell. The volcanic eruptions from Hekla are spectacular as the mountain is 1,493 m (4897 ft) high and towers over the lowlands of the south. This is the region where one of the best known Icelandic classical Sagas, the “Story of Brennu Njáll” is set. You have the opportunity to visit the Saga Centre in Hvolsvöllur where you can learn more about the sagas, tel. 487 8781. Rising ahead of you now is the cone shaped Eyjafjallajökull and volcano, 1666 m (5465 ft). On a clear day you can see the West­ man Islands to your right. There is a ferry to the Westman Islands, sailing from Landeyjarsandur. Therefore it is easy to take a detour to the Westman Islands, a small archipelago with around 15 small islands; the largest one has a population of around 4.000 inhabitants. This detour can also be done on day 4.

Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Self Drive 7 Detour to the Westman Islands:

few kilometres east of Hvolsvöllur, turn A boat tour around the islands is a must for A right when you see the ferry sign and drive all bird and nature lovers, please call Viking Tours towards the ocean. The ferry “Herjólfur” offers for further information, tel. 488 4884. They offer several departures per day, please call 481 2800 various tours, such as the popular circle tour, whale for information about the schedule and prices. watching and deep sea fishing. You can either leave your car behind at the har- A visit to the Museum of Natural History is bour or take it along on the ferry. The duration of recommended, that offers insight into the bird and the trip is about 30 minutes in good weather. fish life, houses a rock and collection and Once in the Westman Islands, you should visit an aquarium. From mid-May until mid-September Eldheimar – a volcano museum of remembrance, the museum is open daily from 10:00-17:00 but tel 488 2700. The exhibition focuses on the 1973 less in other months, tel. 481 1997. volcanic eruption in , without a Beautiful walks in Vestmanneyjar includes a doubt one of Iceland´s biggest natural disaster. walk to the southern tip of the island “Stórhöfði” The highlight of the exhibition is a house that has for puffin- and bird sightseeing and hike up to been delicately excavated. Eldheimar also houses Helgafell and/or Eldfell volcano. the exhibition with all available informa- Back on the ferry and you find yourself again tion about this unique island, which is on the on the main-land. UNESCO World Heritage List.

8 Self Drive Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Continue on road no. 1 and a stop at the Continue the journey and pass Dyrhólaey, spectacular waterfall , 40 m (131 a magnificent rocky headland with sheer cliffs. ft) high, is recommended. There you can actu- It is the southernmost point of Iceland and at ally walk behind the waterfall, but be careful as the tip of it, is a huge wave cut gap which boats it might be slippery. can sail through. The headland is known for its Shortly after you pass Seljalandsfoss water- bird life and is certainly worth a visit. It is about fall, you can pay a visit to the famous visitor 5 km (3 miles) from road no. 1 on road no. 218, centre at Þorvaldseyri farm, tel. 487 5757, about 8 km (5 miles) before you arrive to Vík which gained world-wide attention, during village. Dyrhólaey is a bird sanctuary and closed the volcanic eruption beneath Eyjafjallajökull for any traffic during breeding season from ca. Glacier. During the eruption, thick layers of ash 1st of May until 25th of June each year. Please fell to the ground and flooded its banks, note that the road to the top is not always damaging the farmlands, hot water pipes and recommendable as it is very steep. If it has water barriers of the nearby farms. The farmer, been raining severely, the road turns muddy Mr Olafur and his family, have extraordinary and is not recommended for smaller cars and images on display, showing the farm and its sur- inexperienced drivers. One has to be very care- rounding before, during and after the eruption. ful walking on top of Dyrhólaey, as no fences Then drive onwards to Skógar, where you protect you from falling, so do not walk close to can visit the Folk museum and Skógafoss the edge. waterfall, 60 m (197 ft) high, one of the most Before reaching Vík, there is another recom- impressive waterfalls in the country. The mended detour to the so-called Reynishverfi popular Folk museum is open daily from 09:00- by turning right on road no. 215. Reynishverfi 18:00 during June, July and August but less in offers a beautiful black beach and impres- other months, tel. 487 8845. sive basalt column. At one place you can even Mýrdalsjökull is Iceland’s fourth largest gla- see and go into a cave called Hálsanefshellir cier. Glacier tongues creep down its sides to the formed by the sea through the thousands of lowlands, the most prominent being Sólheima­ years. Depending on the tides the cave may not jökull. Under the south-eastern side of the always be accessible. glacier is Katla, a sub glacial central volcano, buried deep under 400 m (1312 ft) of ice. The Please note: caldera is 10 km (6.3 miles) in diameter. Since As much as this stretch of black sand looks the settlement of Iceland, Katla has erupted innocent, it’s open to the Atlantic Ocean 16–20 times at an average interval of 40–80 and is known for extremely vicious waves years, melting the glacial cap and causing and strong currents. You should therefore catastrophic in the plains below. All of be extra careful, comply with warning signs this has in the course of time created the vast at all times and keep away from the shore Mýrdalssandur desert on the south-eastern line. side of the glacier. Katla last erupted in 1918.

Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Self Drive 9 You will drive onwards to the quiet village Mountain, supposedly formed when two trolls of Vík, which is situated in the mild and fertile were trying to drag a three-mastered ship to Mýrdalur valley which is the southernmost land. When daylight broke they turned into borough in Iceland. The western border is stone. The needles rise 66 m (216 ft) above sea marked by the glacial river, Jökulsá, to the level and can be seen from Vík. east by the river Blautakvísl, and to the south Heiðarvatn: A lake that lies not far from by black, volcanic beaches and the Atlantic Vík. It offers good trout fishing and is a nice Ocean. Mýrdalur is a farming area with about area for walking. Please note that you will need 600 inhabitants, 330 of them in the village of a permit for fishing. Vík. It is an area of great contrasts. Lush green pastures lie between vast black volcanic sands. Rugged mountains, scarred by deep , rise Fun things to do from the sands and are topped by the Mýrdals- Snowmobile Tour of Mýrdalsjökull glacier jökull glacier. The area has rich birdlife with the Duration: 1 hour country’s largest nesting colony of arctic terns Arcanum, tel. 487 1500 / 893 3445. just east of the village. In the cliffs west of the Glacial Walk on Crampons from Sólheima­ village you will see countless puffins, kittiwakes jökull, with the possibility of some ice­ and fulmars mainly during the months of May, climbing for those willing enough to try June and July. Duration: 1.5 or 3.5 hours Please be careful when walking in the nest- Icelandic Mountain Guides, tel. 587 9999 or ing area of the arctic terns as they are very 899 9982. protective of their eggs and their young ones. Boat Trip from Dyrhólaey, on especially Intruding those areas one can expect dive- made boat with wheels, which can drive on bombing attacks, where they do not hesitate to the sand and also sail at sea pick with their pointed beak on one’s head. To Duration: 1-1.5 hours avoid getting hurt, please put a stick, umbrella Dyrhólaeyjarferðir, tel. 487 8500 or 893 or something long above your head since they 6800. attack the highest point. Kayak Tour from Stokkseyri. Reynisdrangar: These are high rocks or Duration 1-3 hours needles in the sea at the base of Reynisfjall Kajakaferðir Stokkseyri tel., 896-5716.

10 Self Drive Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Day 3: church. It is the surface of huge basalt columns that is worth a closer look. Just after you leave Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Skaftafell, Kirkjubæjarklaustur you will see numerous hills, Jökulsárlón, Höfn Landbrotshólar, but they make up the biggest area of pseudo craters in Iceland. Lava Fields, Europe’s Largest National Park and The area has a lot to offer the visitor; hiking, Glacier, Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs swimming in the local pool or sightseeing are ➠➠Approximate driving distance: some of the options. The Tourist Information 270 km / 168 miles Center in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, at Klaustur vegur 29, tel. 487-4620 can also give you further Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for information on what to do in Kirkjubæjar- details about your overnight stay klaustur. ou continue your trip to Kirkjubæjar­ On the way from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Yklaustur, an area of great beauty, a Skaftafell National Park you will have a great growing resort with a number of historical opportunity to see an interesting basalt column spots. You drive on road no. 1 across the south- formation at Dverghamrar, please look for a eastern part of Iceland through the impressive sign on the right hand side of the road. Then Skaftáreldahraun lava field, which was created drive past Núpsstaður, an old farm surrounded in the volcanic eruption at Laki Craters, sup- by magnificent cliffs, where you will find one of posedly the biggest lava field on coming the oldest churches in Iceland with a turf-cov- from only one eruption, and which is now all ered roof. You will also drive past Lómagnúpur; covered with . an impressive 688 m (2.257 ft) high precipice. Kirkjubæjarklaustur was the site of a con- Skaftafell National Park is a masterpiece vent in earlier times, a fact reflected in place of seemingly impossible contrasts of nature. name like Systrastapi, and Systra­ On the one hand you have the Skeiðarár­ vatn, meaning Sister’s Rock, Sisters´ Fall and sandur plains, vast stretches of black sandy Sisters´ Lake, respectively. You can have a look wasteland and volcanic debris borne from at the famous Kirkjugólf or church floor, at the volcanic eruptions from underneath the icecap northern part of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, although of Vatnajökull. The eruption in Vatnajökull it is believed that it was never a floor in a glacier in October 1996, millions of tons of

Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Self Drive 11 water and ice flooded over Skeiðarársandur. Fun things to do The washed away large parts of the road and destroyed two bridges. Preliminary repairs Trout fishing, close to Kirkjubæjarklaustur were made and the road opened again in Duration: Variable December, only two months after the eruption. Efri-Vík farm, tel. 487 4694. Some of the icebergs that the flood carried Glacial Walk in Skaftafell with it were as large as three story houses. Duration: 2.5 hours On the other hand you have the enormous Icelandic Mountain Guides, tel. 587 9999 or icecap of Vatnajökull with its valley glaciers 899 9982. descending like fingers in all directions. In the Boat Tour on the Jökulsárlón Glacial middle lies Skaftafell , like a verdant Lagoon oasis, where you can see gorges with clear Duration: 30-40 min brooks and beautiful waterfalls, birch woods, Jökulsárlón, tel. 478 2222 or 899 5920. a wealth of wild flowers and lush vegetation. Jeep tour or Snow Scooter Tour on Vatna­ A walk on the marked paths along the gorges jökull Glacier for a look at the waterfalls is a must for all Duration: 3 hours and 15 minutes visitors. The most majestic is , “Black Jöklajeppar (Glacier Jeeps), tel. 478 1000 or Fall” plunging over a wall of symmetrical basalt 894 3133. columns that recall organ pipes. There is an 4wd Quad Biking in Hoffell alternative for those who have difficulty walk- Duration: 1.5 hours ing up to the Skaftafellsjökull glacier (wheel- Vatnajökull Travel, tel. 894 1616. chair accessible). For further information please ask at the information centre in Skaftafell. Continue your tour and drive from Skaftafell Day 4: on to Jökulsárlón where it is possible to take a breathtaking cruise amongst floating icebergs Þingvellir and Borgarfjörður Area on the fantastic 180 m (590 ft) deep glacial National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) lagoon. The icebergs break off enormous ice lobes, advancing down deep valleys from the ➠➠Approximate driving distance: Vatnajökull icecap. The ice from the glacier is 280 km / 174 miles over 1000 years old, but the lagoon has largely Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for been formed this century, as the glacier has details about your overnight stay retreated in the warmer climate. Sometimes you can see seals by the coastline of the lagoon. oday you will head to Þingvellir National At the travel service in Hólmur, before TPark which is of great ecological, geologi- reaching Höfn, you can visit a café and petting cal and historical interest. Head west on road zoo with all the usual Icelandic farm animals, no. 1 until you get to road no. 35. Turn right on horses, sheep, dogs, cats and more. Open daily, to road no. 35 for a short while and then left 09:00-17:00, tel. 478 2063. onto road no. 36. Brunnhóll farm and guesthouse makes a The park itself is situated in a stunning delicious stop on the way to Höfn, since the volcanic landscape of mountains and lava farm is known for its own production of home- flows, on the border of Iceland’s largest lake. made ice-cream, tel. 478 1029. Surrounding the lake are impressive faults and Höfn is a bustling fishing and fish process- gorges that are considered among the finest ing port, as well as a commercial centre, with examples of the results of tectonic move- considerable farming in the neighbouring area. ments in the world. It is the area where the Return to the same overnight accommoda- tectonic plates for Europe and America meet, tion in the evening. and one can literally see the ridge between the continents. This is also the former site of the

12 Self Drive Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls oldest parliament in the world, Alþingi. It was Drekkingarhylur (Drowningpool) in Öxará founded in Þingvellir in 930 and there most River, where women found guilty of adultery of the greatest moments of Icelandic history were drowned. took place over a period of 750 years. In the 18th century a major took place at Öxarárfoss waterfall, a beautiful waterfall in this location, after which the parliament was the Öxará River, which falls thunderously over a transferred to Reykjavík. It may interest you steep slope at the edge of the Almannagjá rift. that Þingvellir was in 2004 inscribed upon the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites concern- Þingvallakirkja Church, from 1859, situated ing the Protection of the World Cultural. on the spot where one of the first churches in Iceland was built around 1016, shortly after While in Þingvellir you should visit (you can get Icelanders converted to Christianity in the year directions at the information centre): 1000.

Lögberg (The Law Rock), the law speaker, the From Þingvellir you continue towards the president of Lögrétta (the Low Council) stood Borgarfjörður area. There are two possible there facing the gathering below to recite the routes to Borgarfjörður, the usual one suitable laws during the period when the old Alþingi for all cars, and the highland track Kaldidalur was held at Þingvellir. valley, only accessible with 4wd.

Neðrivellir where Lögrétta was, the most Fun things to do important institution of the ancient parliament, River on the river Hvítá the Alþingi, where the “goðar”, the local chief- Duration: 3- 4 hours tains, and bishops gathered to debate, pass new Arctic Rafting, tel. 562 7000. law and amend old ones. These two sites are on Snowmobile tour on Langjokull Glacier the eastern side of the Almannagjá gorge. Duration: 2.5-3 hrs Mountaineers of Iceland, tel. 562 7000.

Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Self Drive 13 Day 5: Hnappa dalur valley, where you will see the regularly shaped extinct volcanic crater Eld­ Snæfellsnes Peninsula borg. There is a marked hiking path all the way to the top of the crater from the farm Snorra- Craters, Volcanic Landscapes, Snæfellsnes Glacier, staðir. The walk is relatively comfortable and Sea Cliffs with Birdlife, Rock Formations, Quaint takes about 2 hours. Fishing Villages Drive onwards to Búðir, which is pictur- ➠➠Approximate driving distance: esquely situated by the shore, surrounded by 328 km / 203 miles Búðahraun lava. This is a unique place to walk in the sandy lava fields, see the charming black Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for church and stroll on one of the few yellow details about your overnight stay beaches of Iceland. Here you get endless pos- oday you will drive the Snæfellsnes sibilities for photographing. TPeninsula. From Borgarnes, you will drive You drive on westwards on road no. 574 on road no. 54 to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. through the romantic little fishing villages You will drive through the Mýrar district, of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, both known for through moors and lava fields and over some their coastline rock formations in the shapes of Iceland’s best salmon fishing rivers to the of arches, caves, stacks, as well as cliffs alive

14 Self Drive Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls with huge colonies of birds. At Hellnar there walk only on the path to avoid falling into is a small café by the seashore worth visit- the and be aware of the arctic terns ing. In Hellnar you can visit the Snæfellsjökull nesting close to Bárður Snæfellsás. Another National Park’s Visitor Centre, which displays recommended walk, approx. 45 minutes, a part of the country’s trade history and the especially for bird watchers is from Arnarstapi geology, geography and animal life of the park. to Hellnar. It also serves as an information centre and is Snæfellsjökull glacier (1.446 m / 4.742 ft) open daily from mid May to mid September is the crowning jewel of Snæfellsnes peninsula, 10:00-18:00. considered to be one of the most beautiful gla- In Arnarstapi local fishermen can be seen ciers in Iceland and believed by many to have fishing and unloading the catch of the day. supernatural powers. It first became famous A suggested walk is from one of the islands after the publication in 1864 of Jules Verne’s most picturesque harbors along the basalt Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The glacier cliffs, ravines and grottoes, which surround itself and its surroundings were established as a Arnarstapi pier, towards the manmade stone National Park in the year of 2001. troll Bárður Snæfellsás. Continue your journey around Snæfellsnes- There are myriads of birds in the ravines, jökull glacier. At the tip of the peninsula, near especially kittiwakes. Be careful of two things; Dritvík, look for a sign saying “Djúpalóns­

Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Self Drive 15 sandur”, a small inlet used as a landing for small in 1845 by Árni Thorlacius, who in 1832 built fishing boats in earlier centuries. The fishermen the Norwegian house, a fine timber building got wages according to their strength; meas- that has been beautifully renovated and houses ured on weight-stones, still to be seen down by the local folk museum. the landing. Here the roar of the ocean cannot The Café Narfeyrarstofa is located in the cover the sound of the seagulls constantly on centre of the village in one of those older the move. Continue your journey through the houses. small fishing villages on the northern shores While in Stykkishólmur, we recommend the of the peninsula. Hellissandur, a busy fishing museum Vatnasafn or “Library of Water”, village stands on the edge of the sea on an tel. 857 1221, in the former library building, elevated coastal plateau near the outermost tip overlooking the ocean on one side and the of the peninsula adjacent to another seaside harbour and town on the other. Ice from 24 fishing village Rif. In medieval times, Rif was an glaciers around Iceland was extracted and the important trading port. En route to Stykkishól- results are stored in liquid form inside glass mur you’ll find the towns of Rif, Ólafsvík and columns scattered through the building. This is Grundafjörður. a work created by American artist Roni Horn in Be sure not to miss the short detour on road collaboration with Art Angel as a multi–faceted no. 577 to the farm of Bjarnarhöfn, tel. 438 long-term installation and community centre in 1581, where you can see a small church and the town of Stykkishólmur. may learn how to take care of shark once pulled out of the water. Then drive on road no. 58 Fun things to do towards to Stykkishólmur. Boat Tour or Sea Angling from Stykkishólmur is the largest town of the Stykkishólmur Snæfellsnes peninsula. It has a fine natural Duration: 2 hours harbour sheltered amongst beautiful rock Sæferðir, tel. 438 1450. formations. Fishing is the main occupation with Ferry to Flatey Island emphasis on shellfish. Trade began in Stykk- Duration: 5 or 11 hours ishólmur in the late 16th century. Iceland’s first Sæferðir, tel. 438 1450. meteorological measurements were made here

16 Self Drive Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Day 6: Lagoon. Drive through Hafnarfjörður town and turn left onto road no. 42. You pass Lake Kleifar­ Reykjanes Peninsula, Blue Lagoon vatn which is set in fascinating, stark, moon-like surroundings. Near the lake’s southern end lies Volcanic Landscapes, Bubbling Mud Pools, Quaint Krísuvík with powerful jets of steam escaping Fishing Village, Geothermal Spa from deep below the earth’s crust and sulphur- ➠➠Approximate driving distance: ous steam rising from numerous vents of a 130 km / 81 miles geothermal field. Here you can see innumerable small hot springs, mud pots, boiling pools and Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for other types of geothermal activity. details about your overnight stay You turn right to road no. 427 in direction tart the day by finding your way into Grindavík town and continue your journey SReykjavik via Hvalfjörður (Whaling ) under low mountains along the shore with which is one of Iceland’s longest (30 craggy cliffs rising sheer from the sea. Proceed km / 19 miles). You have the choice between via the town of Grindavík and then take road either taking the tunnel (ISK 1000 per car), or no. 43 to the Blue Lagoon where you can take driving the length of the fjord on road no 47. a swim and get a Blue Lagoon spa massage During World War II, Hvalfjörður became one and body treatment. If you decide to get a of the most important Allied naval bases in the massage in the lagoon, we recommend book- North Atlantic as a refuelling station for the ing in advance, by calling the Blue Lagoon tel. Allied fleet. The many large oil tanks around 420-8800 the village of Miðsandur, often the cause of The lagoon sits atop of a high-temperature much tourist curiosity, are indeed remnants geothermal field that supplies hot water and of the refuelling station. Here you also find steam to run a power . Overflow water Iceland’s only whaling station, which operated from the plant, rich in minerals and silica clay, until 1986. fill the lava lagoon. The water is reputed to When you are back in Reykjavik, you have have healing effects on skin ailments such as the chance to either have a roam around the city psoriasis, and people arrive from around the or to visit the Reykjanes Peninsula and the Blue world to seek relief.

Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Self Drive 17 After a refreshing bath in the Blue Lagoon and is protected. It was first climbed in 1894 drive road no. 425 to the tip of the Reykjanes by three Icelanders, Hjalti Jónsson (Eldeyjar- Peninsula, Reykjanestá. It is the southwestern Hjalti, 1869 - 1949) and his two companions. point of Iceland, barren, covered with lava and Hafnaberg is a sea cliff with many seabirds. a much indented coastline. There you can see South of the cliff is where the New World the shield-volcanoes Skálafell and Háleyjar­ meets the Old World, geologically speak- bunga and the volcanic rifts Stampar, as well ing. The European and American plates come as the tuff mountain Valahnúkur where many together here, and the line of their meeting species of birds nest. Much geothermal heat, “comes ashore” at this point. After this you can sulphur and mud springs are there, the best head back to Reykjavík on road no. 41. known spring being Gunna. The first lighthouse For extra time in Reykjavík, optional tours in Iceland was built on Reykjanestá in 1878. from Reykjavík such as Blue Lagoon, horse- back riding, whale watching etc can be booked Please note! through the lobby at your hotel or by calling Please note that the water in the high– Iceland Travel tel. 585-4300. temperature geothermal area is very hot, or well over 100 °C (212 Fahrenheit). Day 7: Therefore it is very important to pay atten- tion to signs indicating where it is safe to Departure walk. The natural in these areas is very fragile. Please only walk on marked eparture from your accommodation footpaths and respect all fences, for your Dis recommended 3 hours before the own safety and in order not to damage the departure of your flight, as it takes approx. 1 fragile and vulnerable vegetation and the hour to drive to the airport and check in will volcanic landscape. start 2 hours before your departure. The rental car should be returned to the Eldey is a cliff or island, 77 m (253 ft) high, airport service area which is located only 2 ca. 14 km (9 miles) off Reykjanes. It is home minutes from the airport building. A shuttle will to the biggest gannet colony in the world then transport you to the departures hall.

18 Self Drive Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls We at Iceland Travel hope you have enjoyed your stay in Iceland and wish you a safe journey back home. It would be great to hear how your holiday went when you get back home! You can either log onto our website’s comment section at www.icelandtravel.is/comment/ or visit our TripAdvisor profile.

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