Ring Road Highlights

Hosting you since 1937

Self Drive 8 days Ring Road Highlights

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

△△ This booklet contains a standard itinerary. If you have Sat Nav added nights, please note that the itinerary has not been customized to show such amendments.

△△ This itinerary is a guideline for your travel in Iceland. The Speed Limit route may vary according to your overnight stay and road conditions, especially during April/May and September/ October. Seat Belts △△ Even with the long daylight, you will not be able to visit every nook and cranny nor enjoy all the fun things sug- gested. Please choose between the sites mentioned Road Map depending on your interest as time limits your possibilities.

△△ The kilometer/mile distance per day is not precise. The distance may vary depending on the location of your Bin the Litter accommodation and the detours you take each day.

△△ On your accommodation itinerary you will find a detailed address list, describing how to reach your accommoda- One Lane Bridge tions. The accommodation itinerary also has a reference number, which is valid as your voucher. Official hotel check-in time is 14:00-18:00. If you arrive any later, it’s Watch out for Animals courteous to notify the hotel.

△△ Breakfast is always included during your stay, but no other meals. Many of the rural hotels and guesthouses offer a Gravel Roads nice dinner at a reasonable price.

2 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights A few favourites from the trip

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Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 3 Day 1: Arrival 5 6 Pick-up your rental car and explore Reykjanes Akureyri Mývatn Peninsula Egilsstaðir 4 ➠➠Approximate driving distance: 104 km / 64 miles 3 Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for Reykjavík 1 Höfn details about your overnight stay Keﬂavík 7 Kirkjubæjarklaustur Hveragerði pon your arrival in Iceland you’ll find your rental car help desk in the arrival hall at 2 U Vík Keflavik Airport. The desk is open every day from 5:00am – 5:00pm and again from 9:00pm- If you are not relaxing in the lagoon at the 1:00am. The staff will advise you where to find beginning of your trip you continue on road your vehicle. number no. 43 until you find your way to If you are arriving early enough in the day Grindavik. Take a left onto road no. 427 and we recommend driving along the southern explore the southern coastline on your way to coast of the Reykjanes peninsula. Start your Hveragerdi. journey with a soak in the Blue Lagoon. Follow Follow this winding road along the road no. 41 towards Reykjavik until you find shoreline, past stand-alone houses, lava rock road no. 43, leading south towards Grindavik. formations, and endless sea views. Take a quick Before you reach Mt Þorbjorn you make a right detour on road no. 42 to Krysuvik Geothermal turn to the Blue Lagoon area. To make it easier Area and Kleifarvatn Lake, which are a part of you can just follow the steam clouds rising into the Reykjanes fissure zone. the air. At the Blue Lagoon you can soothe Continue your journey on road no. 427 until away the jet lag and relax in the milky waters you reach road no. 38 which will take you to of the Lagoon and perhaps enjoy a glass of the the charming village of Hveragerdi. The village famous Blue Lagoon cocktail while you let the is one of the few sites in the world located algae mask bring out the skin’s inner glow! directly on top of a geothermal area and Kindly note that the Blue lagoon is very because of its many greenhouses heated by popular all year round and therefore you should hot water from nearby springs it is often called book ahead. the flower village.

4 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights lir was placed on the UNESCO List of World Day 2: Heritage Sites. Þingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir, South Shore While in Þingvellir you should visit National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO), Spouting Geysers, Puffin Colony, Black Lögberg (The Law Rock), the law speaker, the Sand Beaches of the South Shore president of Lögrétta (the Law Council) stood, ➠➠Approximate driving distance: facing the gathering below to recite the laws 310 km / 193 miles during the period when the old Alþingi was held at Þingvellir. Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for details about your overnight stay Neðrivellir where Lögrétta was, the most oday you’ll drive east out of Hveragerdi important institution of the ancient parlia- Tand along road no. 1 and road no. 36 to ment, the Alþingi, where the “goðar”, the local Þingvellir National Park. chieftains, and bishops gathered to debate, Þingvellir National Park is of great eco- pass new law and amend old ones. These two logical, geological and historical interest. The sites are on the eastern side of the Almannagjá park itself is situated in a stunning volcanic gorge. landscape of mountains and lava flows, on the border of Iceland’s largest lake. Surrounding Drekkingarhylur (Drowning Pool) in Öxará the lake are impressive faults and gorges that River, where women found guilty of adultery are considered among the finest examples were drowned. of the results of tectonic movements in the world. It is the area where the tectonic plates Öxarárfoss waterfall, a beautiful waterfall in for Europe and America meet, and one can the Öxará River, which falls thunderously over a literally see the rift valley between the conti- steep slope at the edge of the Almannagjá rift. nents. This is also the former site of the oldest parliament in Europe, Alþingi. It was founded Þingvallakirkja Church, from 1859, situated in Þingvellir in 930 and this is where most of on the spot where one of the first churches in the greatest events in Icelandic history have Iceland was built around 1016, shortly after taken place in the past thousand years. In the Icelanders converted to Christianity in the year 18th century a major earthquake took place at 1000. this location, after which the parliament was transferred to Reykjavík. In 2004 Þingvel- From Þingvellir you will drive via Lyngdals

Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 5 heiði on road no. 365 to the lake Laugarvatn You head back and return to road no. 35 area, a geothermal area. It is said that when and turn south. Further along road no. 35 is Christianity was adopted in the year 1000, the another attraction in the area, the bishopric at chieftains from the north who refused to be Skálholt, (short detour on road no. 31) which baptized in the cold water of Þingvellir, were played a major role in Icelandic history from brought to Laugarvatn to be baptized in the the year 1056 to 1796, when the bishopric was warm spring. At the Fontana Geothermal moved to Reykjavik following a series of power- Baths you can relax in the warm geothermal ful earthquakes. pools and natural steam rooms while enjoying You continue going south on road no. 35 to the spectacular views over the lake. the region of Grímsnes, which has experienced You continue your tour to the beautiful Gull- at least 10 different lava flows. Kerið is only foss and Geysir region. You drive to the Geysir one of the group of Tjarnhólar craters, but is area, which is by road no. 35. The Geysir area the easiest to gain access to and probably the is a colourful geothermal field where you find most famous and most beautiful of them all, as geothermal pools and a spectacular erupting it has a lovely blue pool at its bottom. hot spring or geyser. In fact the Icelandic word You keep on driving until you reach the junc- "geysir" is the commonly used generic term for tion with road no. 1. You drive in the direction this natural phenomenon. Every 5-10 minutes of Selfoss town and continue your trip through the geyser Strokkur (the Churn) erupts send- the fertile farmlands of the south, towards the ing water and vapour shooting skywards in a east through the small villages of Hella and spectacular display. Hvolsvöllur, where trade and services are the Please be careful around the hot springs main occupations. You will have frequent views and around the waterfall and stay to the of mountains, including the majestic Mt. Hekla. hiking-paths. Mt. Hekla is without a doubt Iceland’s most You continue the journey further north to famous volcano. It is still very active, erupting Gullfoss waterfall, the “Golden Waterfall”. It most recently in 1970, 1980, 1981 and in 1991. is a beautiful two-tiered fall that many believe The last eruption started on 26th February to be the most scenic in Iceland. It thunders in 2000 and lasted for 12 days; the lava from 32 m (105 ft) over a fault into a gorge, which this eruption covers approximately 18 km² (47 measures 2.5 km (1.5 miles) in length and up to mi²). Instead of a classic volcano cone, Hekla is 70 m (230 ft) deep in places. part of a rather squat series of ridges, although

6 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights this is usually hidden behind a thick bank 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 so notorious was the volcano´s reputation that in the Middle Ages people in Europe believed it to be 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 beautiful region is the setting for the greatest and most dramatic of the Icelandic family sagas, Njal´s Saga. 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 glacier and volcano, 1666 m (5465 ft) that erupted so memorably in 2010. On a clear day you can see the Westman Islands to your right. There is a ferry to the Westman Islands, sailing from the nearby Landeyjarsandur harbour. Therefore it is easy to take a detour to the Westman Islands, an archipelago of around 15 small islands; the largest one Heimaey has a population of around 4.000 inhabitants.

Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 7 Detour to the Westman Islands:

few kilometres east of Hvolsvöllur, turn A right when you see the ferry sign and drive towards the ocean. The ferry “Herjólfur” offers several departures daily, please call 481 2800 for information about the schedule and prices. You can either leave your car behind at the harbour or take it along on the ferry. The duration of the trip is about 30 minutes in good weather. Once in the Westman Islands, you should visit Eldheimar – a volcano museum of remembrance, tel 488 2700. The exhibition focuses on the power- fully destructive 1973 volcanic eruption on Hei- maey Island, one of Iceland´s biggest natural disas- ters in recent times. The highlight of the exhibition is a house that has been delicately excavated. Eldheimar also houses the Surtsey exhibition with all available information about this unique island, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A boat tour around the islands is a must for all bird and nature lovers, please call Viking Tours for further information, tel. 488 4884. They offer various tours, such as the popular circle tour, whale watching and deep sea fishing. A visit to the Museum of Natural History is recommended. It offers insights into bird and marine life, houses a rock and minerals collection and an aquarium. From mid-May until mid-September the of ash fell to the ground and rivers flooded their museum is open daily from 10:00-17:00 but less in banks, damaging farmland, hot water pipes other months, tel. 481 1997. and flood barriers on nearby farms. The farmer, Beautiful walks on Heimaey Island include a Olafur Eggertsson and his family, have extraor- hike to the southern tip of the island “Stórhöfði” dinary images on display, showing the farm and for puffin- and bird spotting and a hike up to its surroundings before, during and after the Helgafell and/or Eldfell volcano. eruption. Back on the ferry and you find yourself again Drive onwards to Skógar, where you can on the main-land. visit the Folk museum and Skógafoss waterfall, 60 m (197 ft) high, one of the most impres- Continue on road no. 1 and a stop at the sive waterfalls in the country. The popular spectacular waterfall Seljalandsfoss, 40 m (131 Folk museum is open daily from 09:00-18:00 ft) high, is recommended. There you can actu- during June, July and August 10:00-17:00 from ally walk behind the waterfall, but be careful as September through May. Tel. 487 8845. it might be slippery. Mýrdalsjökull is Iceland’s fourth largest Shortly after you pass Seljalandsfoss water- glacier. Glacier tongues creep down its sides fall, you can pay a visit to the famous visitor to the lowlands, the most prominent being centre at Þorvaldseyri farm, tel. 487 8815, Sólheimajökull. Under the south-eastern side which gained world-wide attention during the of the glacier is Katla, a sub glacial central volcanic eruption beneath the nearby Eyjafjal- volcano, buried deep under 400 m (1312 ft) of lajökull Glacier. During the eruption, thick layers ice. The caldera is 10 km (6.3 miles) in diam-

8 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights If it has been raining severely, the road turns muddy and is not recommended for smaller cars and inexperienced drivers. One has to be very careful walking on top of Dyrhólaey, as no fences protect you from falling, so do not walk close to the edge. Before reaching Vík, there is another recommended detour to the so-called Reynishverfi by turning right on road no. 215. Reynishverfi offers a beautiful black beach and impressive basalt columns. At one point you can enter a cave called Hálsanefshellir, chiselled out by the Atlantic over thousands of years. Depend- ing on the tides the cave may not always be accessible.

Please note: As much as this stretch of black sand looks innocent, it’s open to the Atlantic Ocean and is known for extremely treacherous waves and strong currents. You should therefore be extra careful, comply with warning signs at all times and keep away from the shore line.

You will drive onwards to the scenic village of Vík, which is situated in the mild and fertile Mýrdalur valley which is the southernmost eter. Since the settlement of Iceland, Katla has borough in Iceland. The western border is erupted 16–20 times at an average interval of marked by the glacial river, Jökulsá, to the 40–80 years, melting the glacial cap and caus- east by the river Blautakvísl, and to the south ing catastrophic floods in the plains below. All by black, volcanic beaches and the Atlantic of this has in the course of time created the Ocean. Mýrdalur is a farming area with about vast Mýrdalssandur desert on the south- 600 inhabitants, 330 of them in the village of eastern side of the glacier. Katla last erupted Vík. It is an area of great contrasts. Lush green in 1918. pastures lie between vast black volcanic sands. Continue the journey and pass Dyrhólaey, a Rugged mountains, scarred by deep gullies, rise magnificent rocky headland with sheer cliffs. It from the sands and are topped by the Mýrdals is the southernmost point of Iceland and at its jökull glacier. The area has rich birdlife with the tip is a huge stone archway carved by the waves country’s largest nesting colony of arctic terns so that boats can sail under. The headland is just east of the village. In the cliffs west of the known for its bird life and is certainly worth a village you will see countless puffins, kittiwakes visit. It is about 5 km (3 miles) from road no. 1 and fulmars mainly during the months of May, on road no. 218, about 8 km (5 miles) before June and July. you arrive to Vík village. Dyrhólaey is a bird Please be careful when walking in the nest- sanctuary and closed to all traffic during the ing area of the arctic terns as they are very pro- nesting season from ca. 1st of May to 25th of tective of their eggs and their chicks. Intruding June. Please note that the road to the top is not on these nesting areas means you run the risk an easy drive as it is very steep. of dive-bombing attacks where the adult birds

Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 9 do not hesitate to peck your head with their Fun things to do pointy beaks. To avoid getting hurt, please put a stick, umbrella or something long above your River Rafting on the river Hvítá head since they aim for the highest point. Duration: 3- 4 hours Reynisdrangar: These are towering sea Arctic Rafting, tel. 562 7000. stacks at the base of Reynisfjall Mountain, Snowmobile Tour on Langjokull Glacier supposedly formed when two trolls were trying Duration: 2.5-3 hrs to drag a three-masted ship to land. When day- Mountaineers of Iceland, tel. 562 7000. light broke they turned into stone. The stacks Snowmobile Tour of Mýrdalsjökull glacier rise 66 m (216 ft) above sea level and can be Duration: 1 hour seen from Vík. Arcanum, tel. 487 1500 / 893 3445. Heiðarvatn: A lake that lies not far from Vík. It offers good trout fishing and is a nice area for walking. Please note that you will need a permit for fishing.

10 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights the oldest churches in Iceland with a turf-cov- Day 3: ered roof. You will also drive past Lómagnúpur; Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Skaftafell, an impressive 688 m (2.257 ft) high precipice. Jökulsárlón, Höfn Skaftafell National Park is a masterpiece of seemingly impossible contrasts of nature. On Lava Fields, Europe’s Largest National Park and the one hand you have the Skeiðarársandur Glacier, Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs plains, vast stretches of black sandy wasteland ➠➠Approximate driving distance: and volcanic debris borne from volcanic erup- 270 km / 168 miles tions from underneath the icecap of Vatna jökull. In the eruption beneath the Vatnajökull Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for Glacier in October 1996, millions of tons of details about your overnight stay water and ice flooded over Skeiðarársandur. ou continue your trip to Kirkjubæjarklaus The flood washed away large parts of the road Ytur, an area of great beauty, a growing and destroyed two bridges. Preliminary repairs resort with a number of historical spots. You were made and the road opened again in drive on road no. 1 across the south-eastern December, only two months after the eruption. part of Iceland through the impressive Skaftár Some of the icebergs that the flood carried eldahraun lava field, which was created in the with it were as large as three storey houses. volcanic eruption at Laki Craters, supposedly On the other hand you have the enormous the biggest lava field on earth coming from icecap of Vatnajökull with its valley glaciers only one eruption, and which is now all covered descending like fingers in all directions. In the with moss. middle lies Skaftafell plateau, like a verdant Kirkjubæjarklaustur was the site of a con- oasis, where you can see gorges with clear vent in earlier times, a fact reflected in place brooks and beautiful waterfalls, birch woods, names like Systrastapi, Systrafoss and Systra a wealth of wild flowers and lush vegetation. vatn, meaning Sister’s Rock, Sisters´ Fall and A walk on the marked pathsalong the gorges Sisters´ Lake, respectively. You can have a look to view the waterfalls is a must. for all visitors. at the famous Kirkjugólf or church floor, at the The most majestic is Svartifoss, or the Black northern part of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, although Waterfall, plunging over a wall of symmetrical it was never a floor in a church. It is the surface basalt columns that "resemble" organ pipes. of huge basalt columns and is definitely worth There is an alternative for those who have diffi- a closer look. Just after you arrive in Kirkjubæ- culty walking up to the Skaftafellsjökull glacier jarklaustur you will see numerous hills, Lands (wheelchair accessible). For further informa- brotshólar, which are the largest collection of tion please ask at the information centre in pseudo craters in Iceland. Skaftafell. The area has a lot to offer the visitor; hiking, Continue your tour and drive from Skaftafell swimming in the local pool or sightseeing are on to Jökulsárlón where it is possible to take a some of the options. The Tourist Information breathtaking cruise amongst floating icebergs Center in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, at Klausturvegur on the fantastic 180 m (590 ft) deep glacial 29, tel. 487-4620 can also give you further lagoon. The icebergs break off enormous ice information on what to do in Kirkjubæjar lobes, advancing down deep valleys from the klaustur. Vatnajökull icecap. The ice from the glacier is On the way from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to over 1000 years old, but the lagoon has largely Skaftafell National Park you will have a great been formed this century, as the glacier has opportunity to see an interesting basalt column retreated in the warmer climate. Sometimes formation at Dverghamrar, please look for a you can see seals by the coastline of the lagoon. sign on the right hand side of the road. Then At the travel service in Hólmur, before drive past Núpsstaður, an old farm surrounded reaching Höfn, you can visit a café and Mini- by magnificent cliffs, where you will find one of Zoo with all the usual Icelandic farm animals,

Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 11 horses, sheep, dogs, cats and more. Open daily, or geothermal activity there as the region is 09:00-17:00, tel. 478 1037. geologically the oldest part of Iceland. The Brunnhóll farm and guesthouse makes a region is heavily eroded and therefore there are delicious stop on the way to Höfn, since the many interesting minerals and semi-precious farm is known for the production of its own ice- stones to be found there. cream, tel. 478 2063. The Eastern Fjords are renowned for the Höfn is a bustling fishing and fish process- history of brave French, Belgian and Spanish ing port, as well as a commercial centre, with fishermen who fished cod in the seas off the considerable farming in the neighbouring area. coast from the beginning of the 17th century. An Icelandic farmer compiled the world’s first Fun things to do dictionary of the Basque language in the 17th Trout fishing, close to Kirkjubæjarklaustur century in order to be able to communicate Duration: Variable with them. Efri-Vík farm, tel. 487 4694. Before you come to the Almannaskarð tun- Glacial Walk in Skaftafell nel you can take a short detour down the road Duration: 2.5 hours to the right marked “Stokksnes”. At the end Icelandic Mountain Guides, tel. 587 9999 or of that road, down at the shore, you will find 899 9982. seabirds and possibly seals out on the cliffs. Boat Tour on the Jökulsárlón Glacial You then drive east through the Almannaskarð Lagoon tunnel. If the weather is good an option is to Duration: 30-40 min drive to a view point on the east side of the Jökulsárlón, tel. 478 2222 or 899 5920. tunnel. There you can enjoy the beautiful scen- Jeep Tour or Snow Scooter Tour on Vatna ery towards the west. You will see the glacial jökull Glacier tongues crawling down from the main icecap to Duration: 3 hours and 15 minutes the lowlands. Jöklajeppar (Glacier Jeeps), tel. 478 1000 or Continue through the Lón area, which many 894 3133. consider to be one of the most beautiful sites in 4wd Quad Biking in Hoffell Iceland. The road then leads north to Djúpi Duration: 1.5 hours vogur, at the southern opening of Berufjörður Vatnajökull Travel, tel. 894 1616. fjord, which is known for its zeolite-crystals. Djúpivogur is a beautifully situated, picturesque fishing town. If you can, take a walk Day 4: around this beautiful area, please ask for a hiking map in the shops. Djúpivogur might be Höfn, Djúpivogur, Reyðarfjörður, an interesting choice for birdwatchers because Egilsstaðir there you can experience unspoiled nature where you can see the bulk of Icelandic birds Narrow Fjords, Steep Mountains, Picturesque in their natural environment without having to Coastline, Mineral Collection walk long distances. Mammals such as seals and ➠➠Approximate driving distance: reindeer can also be seen there frequently. In 300 km / 186 miles Djúpavogur there are two birdwatching shelters that the public can use. You can get more infor- Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for mation at the information centre at Langabuð. details about your overnight stay You will continue your journey through oday you will drive the Eastern Fjords Breiðdalsvík and on to Stöðvarfjörður, where Tonwards to Egilsstaðir. you can visit the famous Rock Collection of Eastern Iceland is a very mountainous Petra Sveinsdóttir, tel. 475-8834. Over 90% region of deep fjords isolated from each other of the stones in her collection were found in by sheer mountains. There is very little volcanic Stöðvarfjörður and the surroundings. From

12 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights Stöðvarfjörður follow road no. 96 north to ing to local legends, similar to those about Loch Fáskrúðsfjörður. Fáskrúðsfjörður used to be Ness in Scotland, you might expect to see a sea the base for the French fishermen. The French serpent called Lagarfljótsormurinn reputedly built a hospital and a chapel there and 49 living in the lake. Egilsstaðir is a natural centre French and Belgian fishermen lie buried in the for regional social services and transportation cemetery at Krossar, situated on the seashore to many of the towns and villages in the eastern on the northern outskirts of the town. part of Iceland. From Fáskrúðsfjörður continue your journey You can make an interesting visit to Hall to Reyðarfjörður. On the way to Reyðarfjörður ormsstaður, a state forestry station in the on the road no. 96 you should see seabirds and beautiful Hallormsstaðaskógur, where 80 possibly also seals. You also have the option of species of trees from various parts of the world taking the shortcut through the tunnel straight are growing. Hallormsstaðaskógur is the largest to Reyðarfjörður. forest plantation in Iceland. From Egilsstaðir Reyðarfjörður is the largest of the Eastern to Hallormsstaður the distance is 26 km (16 Fjords. It served as one of the largest Allied miles), but if you have the time to drive around bases during World War II. In the village at the the lake, which is altogether 84 km (52 miles), base of the fjord there is a small museum of we recommend a stop on the other side of the war memorabilia called the Icelandic Wartime lake, 20 km (12,5 miles) from Hallormsstaður, Museum, tel. 470-9063. A little bit outside of the called Skriðuklaustur. The building was town a big aluminium smelter producing annu- designed by the German architect Fritz Höger ally 350.000 tons of aluminium, owned and run and built in 1939 for the writer Gunnar Gun- by Alcoa, was opened in 2007 providing jobs for narsson. Today it is an institute which enables 400 people. Continue your tour to Egilsstaðir. artists, writers and scholars to stay temporarily Egilsstaðir is situated some distance to work, but a part of it is open for the public. If inland, on a fertile plain on the border of Lake you are here in the afternoon, you will have the Lagarfljót, which is a huge glacial river. Accord- opportunity to enjoy one of the finest refresh-

Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 13 ments in Iceland. Everything is home-made and when ash from the Askja eruption made the served by the local women. farm uninhabitable. Farming on this high heath Seyðisfjörður is only 27 km (17 miles) away was very difficult and consisted more or less of from Egilsstaðir along road no. 93. It is a beauti- trying to keep the sheep alive from year to year. ful town worth visiting, situated in a deep, 18 The farm has been restored by the local com- km (11 miles) long fjord of the same name. munity and is kept open in summer, showing Trading started in Seyðisfjörður in 1834 and in tools and artifacts from bygone times in their the latter part of the 19th century it became, proper setting. Traditional refreshments are for a while, one of the largest towns in Iceland. also available at Sænautasel. Many beautiful Norwegian-style houses date You continue over the barren highlands from that time. Every week the car ferry MV of Möðrudalsfjallgarðar, renowned for their Norröna of Smyril Line comes to Seyðisfjörður. mystical beauty. Stefán from Möðrudalur, a beloved naïve-style painter, used to live here. Fun things to do Möðrudalur and its charming Mountain Café is Boat Tour to Papey from Djúpivogur just a little detour from the main road on road Duration: 4 hours, boat leaves at 1 pm every no. 901. day Papeyjarferðir, tel. 478 8119 or 862 4399. Please note! △△ If you are not travelling between mid- June and mid-September, please note Day 5: that road no. 901 can be closed. △△ The roads to Dettifoss are usually just Egilsstaðir, Dettifoss, Húsavík, Mývatn open from mid-June to mid-September, because of wet and muddy conditions Highland Desert, Europe’s Most Powerful Water- caused by melting snow and ice. fall, Glacier Carved Gorge, Whale Watching △△ Please ask locally for information on road ➠➠Approximate driving distance: conditions before leaving Egilsstaðir. 310 km / 193 miles If the roads to Dettifoss are closed, you Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for must take road no. 1 to Lake Mývatn and on to details about your overnight stay Húsavík by road no. 87 and no. 85. oday you will continue your journey If the roads are open (seek details about Tand drive on road no. 1 over the eastern road conditions), continue your journey highlands, heading for Lake Mývatn. You drive northwards by taking road no. 862, until you over the desolation of Jökuldalsheiði heath, a reach Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon National Park, mountain pastureland containing many lakes, the largest and most rugged gorge in Iceland, at a mean altitude of 500 m (1640 ft), and through which flows Jökulsá, one of the where you will be able to see fine examples of country’s mighty glacial rivers. Once there, you tundra. Remains of settlements dating from should visit: 1841–1946 can be seen on the plateau, for many of the inhabitants of this area moved to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, America after a volcanic eruption in the Askja contrasting strikingly with the smaller water- caldera in 1875. falls of Hafragilsfoss and Selfoss. If you take road no. 901 instead of no.1, you can take F907 and drive a few kilometres Hólmatungur Nature Reserve, also at road in a southerly direction. There you will find the F862 with beautiful, colourful rock formations small turf farmhouse, Sænautasel, which is and rich flora. worth the visit. It dates to 1843 and was farmed until 1943 except for the period of 1875-1880 The Nature Reserve of Hljóðaklettar (The

14 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights Echo Cliffs) on road F862 from Ásbyrgi, a great busy fishing port. The Húsavík Whale Museum labyrinth of crags and rock formations which, provides information on whale species, their like other strange rock formations and canyons evolution and biology, whale stranding and the in the National Park, is the result of cata- history of whaling. Open June, July, August: strophic floods and water erosion. 08:30 – 18:30 daily. May and September: 9:00 – 18:00 daily. October: 10 – 16 daily. November Ásbyrgi, at road no. 861, a natural horseshoe- – April: 10 – 16 weekdays. Tel. 414 2800. shaped rock enclosure, whose impressive walls Recommended cafés and restaurants in reach a height of 90 m (295 ft), sheltering Húsavík are Gamli Baukur, located right at the fertile and lush vegetation. pier and in a charming house made mainly from driftwood, and Salka restaurant. You drive road no. 85 round the Tjörnes Take road no. 85 and 87 or 845 to Lake peninsula, famous for its fossiliferous layers Mývatn depending on your accommodation. and bird life, to Húsavík. Húsavík is situated in a picturesque fjord Fun things to do surrounded by majestic mountains white with Whale Watching from Húsavík snow, even in summertime, and is a commercial Duration: 3 hours centre for the agricultural area, as well as a Norðursigling, tel. 464 7272.

Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 15 plentiful midge larvae. The area is protected by Day 6: international law as a very important breeding Lake Mývatn – Akureyri/Skagafjörður place for different birds. Birds to look out for, apart from the ducks, are great northern divers, Bizarre Lava Formations, Geothermal & Volcanic red-necked phalaropes, Slovenian grebes, Activity, Rich Birdlife, Waterfall of the “Gods”, red-throated divers, merlins and gyrfalcons. It's Iceland’s Second Largest City wise to bring bug repellants/nets. ➠➠Approximate driving distance: There are several remarkable natural phe- 130 km / 81 miles nomena in the district worth visiting, such as: Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for Skútustaðargígar pseudo craters: A cluster details about your overnight stay of colourful and beautifully formed pseudo ývatn is one of the country’s most fasci- craters situated close to Skútustaðir and easily Mnating places. The unique ecology of the accessible from there on foot. lake and its unusual environment have made it one of northern Iceland’s greatest attractions. Höfði, Nature Park: With rich flora, fauna and Lake Mývatn is famous for many things, such a beautiful view of the lake. as rich bird life, beautiful landscape influenced by volcanic activity and boiling sulfates. In Dimmuborgir: Translated as “Black Castles”, and near the lake, all the Icelandic duck spe- a landscape of rugged crags and strange lava cies, apart from the eider, breed annually, all formations. There are 3 different routes marked together 15 species. During the summer the for walking. Please stay on the paths, as this lake is teeming with birds, which feed on the area is like a labyrinth.

16 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights Hverfjall: A huge explosive tuff crater. It looks Námafjall: A mountain ridge singed and boiled like a giant circular stadium with a crater bowl by sulphurous vapours. The area is famous for of 1,040 – 1,200 m (3.411-3.936 ft) in diameter the colourful solfataras and bubbling pools of and 140 m (459 ft) in depth. It stands only 150 hot viscous mud of amazing patterns and col- m (492 ft) above its surroundings so it is not ours. Please be very careful here and do not get difficult to hike to the top. Well worth visiting too close to the bubbling pools as they might and exploring on foot. splash hot mud.

Vogafjós-café: A small café located inside Grjótagjá: One of Iceland’s most well known a cowshed where you can see the milking of chasms, half full of hot water, which made it a the cows. It is possible to taste the fresh milk popular bathing spot for a long time, but has and even try to do some milking. The cows are reached too high a temperature today for that milked twice a day. The emphasis is on home- purpose. Please watch your step if you climb made local food such as smoked trout, Moz- down to the pool. zarella cheese from their own milk and geyser bread baked in the geothermally warm earth. Krafla: A high temperature field with active You will find Vogafjós by road no. 1 where it volcanic craters, where a steam-powered elec- surrounds Lake Mývatn, a 10 minute drive from tricity generating station has been built. the village of Reykjahlíð. The Nature-Baths: The geothermal spa called Gamli Bær is a small café with a nice atmos- Mývatn Nature Baths is the latest addition to phere close to Hotel Reynihlíð, where you can the region’s many visitor attractions and is sit outside on a good day during summer. well worth visiting. It contains a unique blend

Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 17 of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro- region, in some parts as close to the surface as organisms. It’s open all year around: June- 3 km (1.9 miles). From the car park, a circular August from 09:00 to 24:00 and from 12:00 footpath leads you around the volcano and up to 22:00 in the wintertime. For directions you to its summit from where there is a beautiful can call the baths directly tel. 464 4411, or ask view over the impressive volcanic landscapes local hotels and service-centres in the Mývatn surrounding it. This is a very interesting walk area. but one has to be extremely careful when crossing the high-temperature area. It is important Bird Museum (Fuglasafn Sigurgeirs): An to wear good walking boots. On rainy days impressive private collection of birds, now open there is considerable mud in the geothermal to the public. For directions you can call the area and it can become very slippery there, so museum directly, tel. 464 4477. one has to take extra care when crossing it. After exploring the Myvatn area, head Leirhnjúkur: Part of the Krafla fissure complex. for Akureyri, via road no 1. On the way to It is one of the most interesting sights in the Akureyri, the “capital” of northern Iceland, you Mývatn area. A highly active volcano and a will pass Goðafoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s small but very colourful high-temperature most beautiful and renowned waterfalls. geothermal field situated west of Krafla, which Driving 18 km (11 miles) from Goðafoss last erupted in a series of nine eruptions from towards Akureyri you could make a detour by 1975–1984. taking road no. 835 to visit the Laufás Museum. Here you can see one of the country’s best West of it are a series of craters and volcanic preserved turf/sod farmhouses. The museum is fissures of the same name. In this area you can open from mid May until mid September from also see the lava fields from 1984, which are 10:00-18:00. From Laufás you would continue on still hot. A vast magma chamber lies under the road no. 83 to drive to Akureyri.

18 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights Akureyri is the “capital” of northern now also includes over 400 to 450 Icelandic Iceland. It boasts some of the finest tim- vascular plants. ber buildings in the country, beautifully There are many other interesting places restored. Because of its excellent natural and museums in Akureyri. One is Nonnahús, a harbour and good communications, Akureyri museum and former home of children’s writer has become the northern centre of educa- and Jesuit priest Jón Sveinsson, “Nonni”. (It tion, culture, trade and industry. Akureyri is located at Aðalstræti 54b). Next-door, and has a whole street in its centre, Listagil (Art equally interesting, is the Akureyri Museum. Gorge), devoted to arts, crafts and design, Akureyri also has a new swimming pool with where it is ideal to visit the Akureyri Art indoor, outdoor and children’s pools, jacuzzis Museum. This charming town is located and slides. inland at the base of Eyjafjörður Fjord, the At the Tourist Information Office, inside the longest fjord in Iceland, which means that Hof Cultural Centre downtown, you can get Akureyri, together with Egilsstaðir, is one a map of Akureyri and find other interesting of the two towns in Iceland closest to the information about the town. centre of the country. This provides Akureyri If you drive road no. 821 and pass the with a climate, which is more continen- airport you will soon reach the so called Santa tal than oceanic, with colder winters and House (Jólahúsið), a Christmas store which warmer summers than in most other towns operates all year round. This is the perfect way in Iceland. Therefore, in spite of its location, to learn about Icelandic Christmas traditions about 70 km (44 miles) south of the Arctic and experience the festive spirit. They offer a Circle, the town is verdant with a public park wide selection of souvenirs; both handmade in and botanical garden, Lystigarðurinn, which Iceland and imported. This is especially worth was opened in 1912. It was originally only visiting for enthusiastic Christmas fans and planted with various kinds of trees, but it children.

Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 19 Day 7: an old farm with turf buildings in the traditional style, some parts of which date back to the Varmahlíð, Reykholt, Borgarnes, 18th century. Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir, the Hvalfjörður, Reykjavík first woman to go to America and who gave birth to the first American of European decent, Fertile Farmlands, Glacial Rivers, Folk Museum, lived at Glaumbær in the 11th century. To get Viking Horses, Scenic Fjord to Glaumbær, take road no. 75, and watch out ➠➠Approximate driving distance: for a signpost. 490 km / 305 miles Heading towards Varmahlid and Blönduós take road no 1. Between them are some of the Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for finest salmon rivers in Iceland. You will drive details about your overnight stay past the small town of Blönduós situated on rive on road no. 1 towards Skagafjörður both sides of the glacial river Blanda. Blönduós Dfjord and valley. Skagafjörður stretches from is a long established trading and service town, the Arctic Ocean to the highlands and is one of and the administrative centre of the region. the “cradles of Icelandic history” playing a leading Further west, at the junction of road no. 721 role in the events in the 13th century civil war and and road no. 1, you will see numerous small in cultural developments for centuries afterwards. hills, which are the result of a landslide, the Skagafjörður is one of the most important uncountable Vatnsdalshólar hills. areas for river rafting in the country, as there are In Hvammstangi (on road no. 72) you can several large glacial rivers originating from the pay a visit to the Icelandic Seal Centre, open highland interior that are ideal for that purpose. daily from 09:00 to 19:00, June-August, tel. 451 Before you head off to Húnaflói, we would 2345. suggest that you visit Glaumbær. Glaumbær is You will continue driving on road no. 1

20 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights to Staðarskáli, where you can stop for light Your next stop will be Reykholt. Reykholt is refreshments and use the washrooms before a school centre today and one of Iceland’s most heading over Holtavörðuheiði heath. noteworthy historical sites. Snorri Sturluson When you arrive in Norðurárdalur valley, (1178–1241), the best known Icelandic Saga you will see Grábrókarhraun, a rugged lava writer and scholar, lived in Reykholt, where field, overgrown with moss, heather and shrubs he wrote famous works such as Heimskringla, that flowed from the distinctive Grábrókargí Snorra Edda and perhaps Egil’s Saga. In Reykholt gar scoria cones on the north side of the main you will find the exhibition Snorrastofa, which road, and are thought to be 2–3000 years old. is a culture- and medieval centre founded in Mt. Grábrók can be ascended by a marked trail. memory of Snorri Sturluson. Snorrastofa man- From its summit you have a lovely view over ages various research projects and provides the surrounding volcanic landscapes. It is an reception, souvenirs and information for tour- interesting and quite easy walk. ists. We recommend that you take road no. 50 A little bit further than Reykholt there are towards Reykholt, and stop at the hot spring the picturesque waterfalls Hraunfossar, as Deildartunguhver on the way. Deildartungu they pour from under a lava field, in a succes- hver is probably the largest hot spring in the sion of cascades into the river Hvítá. Barnafoss world with 180 liters of 98°C (208 Fahrenheit) waterfall is nearby. hot water every second. It is located just north After the waterfalls it is time to get back to of the junction of road no. 50 and road no. 518, road no. 1, which takes you back to Reykjavík, which lead to Reykholt. At the car park you can via the town of Borgarnes. purchase fresh tomatoes, grown in the local Borgarnes is the largest coastal community greenhouses and packed for travellers who stop in Iceland that is not dependent on fishing. The at Deildartunguhver. town is built on a scenic headland jutting into

Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 21 the picturesque fjord Borgarfjörður, close to laug swimming pool or one of the many swim- the spot, Borg, where the Viking poet and war- ming pools in Reykjavík. There is also a botani- rior, Egill Skallagrímsson, the main character of cal garden and family park in the Laugardalur one of Iceland’s most famous Sagas, Egil’s Saga, area you might enjoy visiting. You can also lived in the 10th century. stroll around the old city centre of Reykjavík, It’s a good idea to visit the Icelandic Settle with its many shops, galleries, museums, cafés ment Centre in Borgarnes, tel. 437 1600, which and restaurants. Recommended sites to visit if opened in 2006. The museum is operated in walking are: Hallgrímskirkja Church, the City three buildings. The main floor of the centre Hall, Tjörnin Lake, the harbour area, Harpa houses an exhibition entitled “The Settlement conference and music hall, and the sculpture of Iceland”. Sun Voyager. Just a short distance from the On your way to Reykjavík, you have the city centre you can visit Perlan and the Höfði choice between either taking the tunnel (ISK House. 1000 per car), or continuing south along the If you have not planned any extra activities beautiful coastline of Hvalfjörður, one of in Reykjavik and would like to add an experi- Iceland’s longest fjords (30 km / 19 miles), on ence to your stay there, be sure to take a look road no. 47. During World War II, Hvalfjörður at our day tours selection on our web www. became one of the most important Allied naval icelandtravel.is bases in the North Atlantic as a refuelling station for the Allied fleet. The many large oil Fun things to do tanks around the village of Miðsandur, often Horse Show in Skagafjörður the cause of much tourist curiosity, are indeed Duration: 1 hour remnants of this refuelling station. This was Varmilækur Farm, tel. 898 7756 or 453 8021. later converted into Iceland’s only whaling Horseback Riding in Skagafjörður station, which operated until 1986 and has in Duration: 1.5 -2 hours recent years begun processing whales again. Hestasport Tours, tel. 453 8383 or 453 8211. Leaving Hvalfjörður you will drive along the Seal Watching from Hvammstangi base of the beautiful Mt. Esja (918 m or 3.011 Duration: 1 hours and 45 min for Seal Watch- ft) into the city of Reykjavík. ing, 3 hours for Sea Angling For those that have some time to spare in Tel. 897 9900. Reykjavik we suggest that you visit Laugardals

22 Self Drive Ring Road Highlights way to the city on day one, but have time to Day 8: spare today you might want to use the oppor- Departure tunity en route to the airport. For this detour, please be sure to allow for at least 2-2.5 hours eparture from your accommodation extra to make sure you’ll have ample time at Dis recommended 3 hours before the the lagoon. departure of your flight, as it takes approx. 1 The rental car should be returned to the hour to drive to the airport and check in will airport service area which is located only 2 start 2 hours before your departure. minutes from the airport building. A shuttle will If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your then transport you to the departures hall.

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.

Ring Road Highlights Self Drive 23 Iceland Travel Skógarhlíð 12 Tel +354 585 4300 icelandtravel.is IS-105 Reykjavík Fax +354 585 4390 Iceland