Around Iceland

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Self Drive 10 days Around Iceland

Hjörleifshöfði 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 Around Iceland A few favourites from the trip

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Around Iceland Self Drive 3 Day 1: Arrival Akureyri 4-5 3 Pick up your rental car and explore Reykjanes Mývatn 6 Peninsula Egilsstaðir ➠➠Approximate driving distance: 2 104 km / 64 miles 7 Reykjavík 1 Höfn Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for Keﬂavík 9 Kirkjubæjarklaustur details about your overnight stay Hveragerði 8 pon your arrival in Iceland you’ll find your Vík Urental car help desk in the arrival hall at Keflavik Airport. The desk is open every day algae mask bring out the skin’s inner glow! from 5:00am – 5:00pm and again from 9:00pm- Kindly note that the Blue lagoon is very 1:00am. The staff will advise you where to find popular all year round and therefore you should your vehicle. book ahead. If you are arriving early enough in the day If you don´t plan on visiting the lagoon at we recommend driving along the southern the beginning of your trip you continue on coast of the Reykjanes peninsula. Start your road number no. 43 until you find your way to journey with a soak in the Blue Lagoon. Follow Grindavik. Take a left onto road no. 427 and road no. 41 towards Reykjavik until you find explore the southern coastline on your way to road no. 43, leading south towards Grindavik. Hveragerdi. Before you reach Mt Þorbjorn you make a right Follow this winding road along the turn to the Blue Lagoon area. To make it easier shoreline, past stand-alone houses, lava rock you can just follow the steam clouds rising into formations, and endless sea views. Take a quick the air. At the Blue Lagoon you can soothe detour on road no. 42 to Seltún (Krysuvik) Geo- away the jet lag and relax in the milky waters thermal Area and Kleifarvatn Lake, which are a of the Lagoon and perhaps enjoy a glass of the part of the Reykjanes fissure zone. famous Blue Lagoon cocktail while you let the Continue your journey on road no. 427 until

4 Self Drive Around Iceland you reach road no. 38 which will take you to ent lava flows. Kerið is one of the Tjarnhólar the charming village of Hveragerdi. The village craters, but is the easiest to gain access to and is one of the few sites in the world located probably the most famous and most beautiful directly on top of a geothermal area and of them all, as it has a lovely blue pool at its because of the numerous greenhouses using bottom. geothermal heat it is often called the flower Further along road no. 35 is another attrac- village. tion in the area, the bishopric at Skálholt, (short detour on road no. 31) which played a Day 2: major role in Icelandic history from the year 1056 until 1796, when the bishopric was moved Hveragerði, Geysir, Þingvellir, to Reykjavík following major earthquakes in the Borgarfjörður 18th century. You head back and return to road no. 35 and Greenhouses, Spouting Geysers, National Park continue your tour to the beautiful Gullfoss with Geological Wonders (UNESCO), Massive and Geysir region. The Geysir area is a colour- Waterfall ful geothermal field where you find geothermal ➠➠Approximate driving distance: pools and a spectacular erupting hot spring or 310 km / 193 miles geyser. In fact the Icelandic word "geysir" is the commonly used generic term for this natural Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for phenomenon. Every 5-10 minutes the geyser details about your overnight stay Strokkur (the Churn) erupts sending water and rom Hveragerði you will continue your trip vapour shooting skywards in a spectacular dis- Fon road no. 1 in the direction of Selfoss. play. Please be very careful near the hot pools Shortly after leaving Hveragerdi you’ll have the and geyser and keep to the hiking paths. opportunity to visit the Icelandic horse park You continue your journey further north to Fakasel, which is located on your right hand Gullfoss waterfall, the “Golden Waterfall”. It side after passing road 375. Before you come is a beautiful two-tiered waterfall that many to Selfoss you will make a left hand turn onto believe to be the most scenic in Iceland. It road no. 35 to the region of Grímsnes. Over thunders 32 m (105 ft) over a fault into a gorge, time Grimsnes has experienced over ten differ- which measures 2.5 km (1.5 miles) in length

Around Iceland Self Drive 5 and up to 70 m (230 ft) deep. the results of tectonic movements in the world. From Geysir you will drive on road no. 37 It is the area where the tectonic plates for to the Lake Laugarvatn area. Laugarvatn is a Europe and America meet, and one can literally geothermal area, and it is said that when Chris- see the divide between the continents. tianity was adopted in 1000 AD, the chieftains This is also the former site of the oldest from the north, who refused to be baptized in parliament in Europe, Alþingi. It was founded the cold water of Þingvellir, were brought to in Þingvellir in 930 and this is where all the Laugarvatn to be baptized in the warm spring. major events in Icelandic history over a period At the Fontana Geothermal Baths you can of 1000 years took place. In the 18th century add even more nature and spa to your vacation a major earthquake took place at this location, by relaxing in the warm geothermal pools and after which the parliament was transferred to natural steam rooms while enjoying the spec- Reykjavík. In 2004 Þingvellir was placed on the tacular view over the lake. UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. From Laugarvatn you will drive via Lyngda- lsheiði on road no. 365 to Þingvellir National While in Þingvellir you should visit (you can ask Park. for directions at the Information Centre): Þingvellir National Park is of great eco- logical, geological and historical interest. The Lögberg (The Law Rock), the law speaker, the park itself is situated in a stunning volcanic president of Lögrétta (the Law Council) stood landscape of mountains and lava flows, on the there, facing the gathering below to recite the border of Iceland’s largest lake. Surrounding laws during the period when the old Alþingi the lake are impressive faults and gorges that was held at Þingvellir. are considered among the finest examples of

6 Self Drive Around Iceland Neðrivellir where Lögrétta was, the most Please note! important institution of the ancient parliament, the Alþingi, where the “goðar”, the local chief- △ The Kaldidalur mountain pass is usually tains, and bishops gathered to debate, pass new just open from mid-June to September, laws and amend old ones. These two sites are so please ask for information regarding on the eastern side of the Almannagjá gorge. road and weather conditions before set- ting off on this route. It is only suitable (Drowning Pool) on the Öxará River, where for cars with 4wd. women found guilty of adultery were drowned. △ There are no services on this road, so make sure that you have a lunch box and Öxarárfoss waterfall is a beautiful waterfall on plenty of petrol before taking it. the Öxará River, which falls thunderously over a △ The road conditions in Kaldidalur are steep slope at the edge of the Almannagjá rift. rough, but on the other hand, the scenery and the view of the glaciers can be spec- Þingvallakirkja Church, from 1859, situated on tacular. Therefore Kaldidalur can be a very the spot where one of first churches in Iceland scenic route in fine weather with good was built around 1016, shortly after Iceland visibility, but it can be a miserable one in converted to Christianity in 1000 AD. a rainy or foggy weather with little visibility. So if the weather is bad it is more From Þingvellir you continue towards the sensible to take the other road which is Borgarfjörður area. There are two possible for the most part ashphalted. routes to Borgarfjörður, the usual one suitable for all cars, and the highland track Kaldidalur The other route, and the only one if you valley, only accessible with 4wd. don’t have a 4wd, is to take road no. 36 and then road no. 48 up the scenic coastal road along Hvalfjörður on road no. 47. Hvalfjörður Detour via Kaldidalur valley: is one of Iceland’s longest fjords (30 km / 19 miles). During World War II, Hvalfjörður urn onto road no. 550 south to Kaldidalur became one of the most important Allied T valley. This is a rough road and only suit- naval bases in the North Atlantic as a refuel- able for 4wd. Please ask about road conditions ling station for the Allied fleet. The many large beforehand. oil tanks around the village of Miðsandur, On Kaldidalur road, you will be crossing barren often the cause of much tourist curiosity, are deserts of uninhabited interior highlands and remnants of this refuelling station. Nearby, heading over black sand plains with glacial rivers in Iceland’s only whaling station was was built in the background. In clear weather, you have a good the 1940s and is still functional today. view over the country. This route ascends to an Drive road no. 1 through Borgarnes and elevation of 700 m (2296 ft) above sea level and to the Borgafjörður area. Borgarnes is the from this high point there are close views of the largest coastal community in Iceland that is crevassed glacial tongues from Langjökull glacier not dependent on fishing. The town is built on crawling down steep ice-covered mountains sides. a scenic headland jutting into the picturesque On the right hand side of the road you will fjord Borgarfjörður, close to the spot, Borg, come to a junction (look out for a signpost) where where the Viking poet and warrior, Egill Skallag- you could make a detour and drive up to the rímsson, the main character of one of Iceland’s glacier, either to go on a snowmobile or actually most famous Sagas, Egil´s Saga, lived in the go into the glacier! (www.intotheglacier.is) You 10th century. will drive onwards to Húsafell, a popular summer The Icelandic Settlement Centre in resort in a pleasantly wooded area. Borgarnes, tel. 437 1600, opened in 2006. The museum is operated in three buildings. The

Around Iceland Self Drive 7 main floor of the centre houses an exhibition entitled “The Settlement of Iceland”. Day 3: Borgarfjörður, Blönduós, Varmahlíð, In Borgarfjörður, we suggest that you make Akureyri a stop at Deildartunguhver, which is prob- Fertile Farmlands, Glacial Rivers, Iceland’s Second ably the largest hot spring in the world with a Largest City, Viking Horses volume of 180 litres of 98°C (208 Fahrenheit) hot water every second. It is located just north ➠➠Approximate driving distance: of the junction of road no. 50 and road no. 518, 280 km / 174 miles which lead to Reykholt. At the car park you can Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for purchase fresh tomatoes, grown in the local details about your overnight stay greenhouses and packed for travellers who stop at Deildartunguhver. ou will drive north and pass Grá- The nearby Reykholt is a school centre. Ybrókarhraun, a rugged lava field, It is among the most noteworthy histori- overgrown with moss, heather and shrubs that cal sites. Snorri Sturluson (1178 –1241), the flowed from the distinctive Grábrókargígar best known Saga writer and scholar, lived in scoria cones on the north side of the main road. Reykholt, where he wrote such famous works These formations are thought to be 2-3000 as Heimskringla, Snorra Edda and perhaps Egil’s years old. Mt. Grábrók can be ascended by a Saga. In Reykholt you will find the exhibition marked trail. From its summit you have a lovely Snorrastofa, which is a culture- and medieval view over the surrounding volcanic landscapes. centre founded in memory of Snorri Sturluson. It is an interesting and quite an easy walk. Snorrastofa manages various research projects You will continue your journey on road no. 1 and provides reception, souvenirs and informa- and drive over Holtavörðuheiði heath to Staðar- tion for tourists. skáli, where you can stop for light refreshments. A little bit further than Reykholt by road nr. Continue driving along the bay of Húnaflói. 518 are the picturesque waterfalls Hraunfos- The landscape in this area is different from sar, as they pour from under a lava field, in a the more volcanic landscapes in the southern succession of cascades, into the river Hvítá. and western parts as, during the last ice age, Barnarfoss waterfall is nearby. glaciers formed long valleys with soft lines. Approximately, 16 km (10 miles) further west Fun things to do we suggest that you take a turn right to road SUMMER - River Rafting on the River Hvítá no. 715 and go to the spectacular Kolugil can- Duration: 3- 4 hours yon. Take the same road back to road no. 1. Arctic Rafting, tel. 562 7000. Snowmobile Tour on Langjokull Glacier. Short detour to Duration: 2,5-3 hrs Vatnsnes peninsula Mountaineers of Iceland, tel. 562 7000. www.intotheglacier.is – The Ice Tunnel, tel. ake road no. 711 to the Vatnsnes peninsula. 578 2550. T The distance from road no. 1 and back is c. 82 km (51 miles) mostly on a gravel road. The main attraction is the Hvítserkur (White Cowl) stack rising 15 metres (50ft.) just off shore. The name probably derives from the white colour of the bird droppings covering the stack. This area is very peaceful and seals can often be spotted here. About 16 km further, at the junction of road no. 721 and road no. 1, you will see numerous small hills, which are the result of a landslide,

8 Self Drive Around Iceland the uncountable Vatnsdalshólar hills. Here you Before you head off to Akureyri, we would also find Þrístapar, where Agnes Magnúsdót- suggest that you visit Glaumbær Museum. tir was executed in 1830, the main character Glaumbær is located on road no. 75 only about in Hannah Kent´s novel Burial Rites. In this 14 km (9 miles) from Varmahlíð - watch out area between the towns of Blönduós and for a signpost. This is an old farm with turf Hvammstangi are some of the finest salmon buildings in traditional style, some parts of rivers in Iceland. which date back to the 18th century. Guðríður In Hvammstangi (on road no. 72) you can Þorbjarnardóttir, the first woman to go to pay a visit to the Icelandic Seal Centre, open America and who gave birth to the first Ameri- daily from 09:00 to 19:00, June-August, please can of European descent, lived at Glaumbær call, tel. 451 2345. in the 11th century. A part of the museum is a A stop at Þingeyrar church (road no. 721) charming café called Áskaffi serving traditional is worth the detour, before driving past the pastries in a lovely, old-fashioned parlour. small town of Blönduós situated on both sides Continue your drive to the “capital of the of the glacial river Blanda. Blönduós is a long north,” Akureyri. established trading and service town, and the administrative centre of the region. Drive on road no.1 towards Skagafjörður Fun things to do fjord and valley. Skagafjörður stretches from the Seal Watching and Sea Angling from Arctic Ocean to the highlands and is one of the Hvammstangi. “cradles of Icelandic history” playing a leading Duration: 1-4 hours role in the events in the 13th century civil war Selasigling, tel. 897 9900. and in cultural developments for centuries after- Horseback Riding in Skagafjörður. wards. Skagafjörður is one of the most important Duration: 1.5 -2 hours areas for river rafting in the country, as there are Hestasport Tours, tel. 453 8383 or 453 8211. several large glacial rivers originating from the Horse Show in Skagafjörður. highland interior, ideal for that purpose. Duration: 1 hour Varmahlíð is a small village situated at the Varmilækur Farm., tel: 898 7756 or 453 8021. junction of road no. 1 and road no. 75.

Around Iceland Self Drive 9 Day 4: climate, which is more continental than oceanic, with colder winters and warmer summers than in Akureyri, Lake Mývatn most other towns in Iceland. Therefore, in spite of its location, about 70 km (44 miles) south of Botanical Garden, Museums, Waterfall of the the Arctic Circle, the town is verdant with a pub- “Gods” lic park and botanical garden, Lystigarðurinn, ➠➠Approximate driving distance: which was opened in 1912. It was originally only 100 km / 62 miles planted with various kinds of trees, but it now also includes over 400 to 450 Icelandic vascular Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for plants. details about your overnight stay There are many other interesting places kureyri boasts some of the finest tim- and museums in Akureyri. One is Nonnahús, Aber buildings in the country, beautifully a museum and former home of children-book restored. Because of its excellent natural writer and Jesuit priest Jón Sveinsson, “Nonni”. harbour and good communications, Akureyri (It is located at Aðalstræti 54b). Next-door, and has become the northern centre of education, equally interesting, is the Akureyri Museum. culture, trade and industry. Akureyri has a whole Akureyri also has a good swimming pool with street in its centre, Listagil (Art Gorge), devoted indoor, outdoor and children’s pools, Jacuzzis to arts, crafts and design, where it is ideal to and slides. visit the Akureyri Art Museum. This charming At the Tourist Information office located town is located inland at the base of Eyjafjörður in the Hof Culture Centre you can pick up a Fjord, the longest fjord in Iceland, which means map of the town and get further interesting that Akureyri, together with Egilsstaðir, is one information. of the two towns in Iceland closest to the centre If you drive road no. 821 and pass the of the country. This provides Akureyri with a airport you will soon reach the so called Santa

10 Self Drive Around Iceland House (Jólahúsið), a Christmas store which on the high abundance of aquatic insects in the operates all year round. This is a nice way to lake. The area is protected by international law learn about Icelandic Christmas traditions. as a very important breeding place for differ- They have a wide selection of souvenirs, many ent birds. Birds to look out for, apart from the of them handmade locally. So this place is ducks, are great northern divers, red-necked especially interesting for Christmas enthusiasts phalaropes, Slovenian grebes, red-throated children. divers, merlins and gyrfalcons. From Akureyri you can make a detour and There are several remarkable natural phe- take road no. 83 to visit the Laufás Museum. nomena in the district worth visiting, such as: Here you can see one of the country’s best Skútustaðargígar pseudo craters: A cluster preserved turf/sod farmhouses. The museum is of colourful and beautifully formed pseudo open from 1. júní – 15. September from 10:00 craters situated close to Skútustaðir and easily – 18:00. accessible from there on foot. From Laufás you would continue by taking the road no. 835 until you reach road no. 1 ... Höfði, Nature Park: With rich flora, fauna and approx. 18 km (11 miles) from Goðafoss water- a beautiful view of the lake. fall, the waterfall of the gods, one of Iceland´s most beautiful tourist attractions. Dimmuborgir: Translated as “Black Castles”, If you don´t take the detour continue on a landscape of rugged crags and strange lava road no. 1 to Mývatn. formations. There are 3 different routes marked for walking. Please stay on the paths, as this Fun things to do area is like a labyrinth. Ferry to the Island of Hrísey. Duration: 15 min. by ferry to the island Hverfjall: A huge explosive tuff crater. It looks The ferry line, Hríseyjarferjan Sævar, like a giant circular stadium with a crater bowl tel. 695-5544 of 1,040 – 1,200 m (3.411-3.936 ft) in diameter and 140 m (459 ft) in depth. It stands only 150 Day 5: m (492 ft) above its surroundings so it is not difficult to hike to the top. Well worth visiting Lake Mývatn and exploring on foot. Bizarre Lava Formations, Geothermal Activity, Vogafjós-café: A small café located inside Rich Birdlife a cowshed where you can see the milking of ➠➠Approximate driving distance: the cows. It is possible to taste the fresh milk Variable and even try your hand at milking. The cows are milked twice a day. The emphasis is on Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for homemade local food such as smoked trout, details about your overnight stay Mozzarella cheese from their own milk and ývatn is one of the country’s most fasci- geyser bread baked in the warm earth. You will Mnating places. The unique ecology of the find Vogafjós on road no. 1 where it circles Lake lake and its unusual environment has made it Mývatn, just a 10 minute drive from the village one of northern Iceland’s greatest attractions. of Reykjahlíð. Lake Mývatn ("Midge Lake", bring bug repel- lant and/or net) is famous for many things, such Gamli Bær is a small café with a nice atmos- as rich bird life, beautiful volcanic landscape phere close to Hotel Reynihlíð, where you can and steaming sofataras. In and near the lake, all sit outside on a nice summer´s day. the Icelandic duck species, apart from the eider, breed annually, all together 15. During the sum- Námafjall: A mountain ridge singed and boiled mer the lake is teeming with birds, which feed by sulphurous vapours. The area is famous for

Around Iceland Self Drive 11 the colourful solfataras and bubbling pools of organisms. It’s open all year around: 1 June - 31 hot viscous mud of amazing patterns and col- August from 09:00 to 24:00 in the summertime ours. Please be very careful here and do not get and from 12:00 to 22:00 in the wintertime. too close to the bubbling pools as they might For directions you can call the baths directly splash hot mud. tel. 464 4411, or ask local hotels and service- centres in the Mývatn area. Grjótagjá: Is a lava cavern half full of hot spring water, which made it a popular place for bath- Bird Museum (Fuglasafn Sigurgeirs): A remark- ing in the past. Today, however, the water is too able private collection of birds, now open to the hot to do that. Please watch your step if you public. For directions you can call the museum climb down. directly, tel. 464 4477.

Krafla: A high temperature field with active Leirhnjúkur: Part of the Krafla fissure com- volcanic craters, where a steam-powered elec- plex. It is one of the most interesting sights in tricity generating station has been built. the Mývatn area. A highly active volcano and a small but very colourful high-temperature The Nature-Baths: The geothermal spa called, geothermal field situated west of Krafla, which Mývatn Nature Baths is the latest addition to last erupted in a series of nine eruptions from the region’s many visitor attractions and is 1975–1984. well worth visiting. It contains a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-

12 Self Drive Around Iceland West of it are a series of craters and volcanic Day 6: fissures of the same name. In this area you can also see the lava fields from 1984, which are Húsavík, Tjörnes Peninsula, Dettifoss still hot. A vast magma chamber lies under the Waterfall, Egilsstaðir region, in some parts as close to the surface as Whale Watching, Glacier Carved Gorge, Europe’s 3 km (1.9 miles). From the car park, a circular Most Powerful Waterfall footpath leads you around the volcano and up to its summit from where there is a beautiful ➠➠Approximate driving distance: view over the impressive volcanic landscapes 310 km / 193 miles surrounding it. This is a very interesting walk Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for but one has to be extremely careful when cross- details about your overnight stay ing the high-temperature area. It is important to wear good walking boots. On rainy days oday you will drive to the fascinating town there is considerable mud in the geothermal Tof Húsavík. It is situated in a picturesque area and it can become quite slippery there, so fjord surrounded by majestic mountains white one has to take extra care when crossing it. with snow, even in the summertime, and is a commerical centre for the local agricultural Fun things to do community, as well as a busy fishing port. Full Day Tour to Askja Caldera The Húsavík Whale Museum provides Duration: 11-12 hours information on whale species, their evolution Mountain View, tel. 464 3941 and biology, whale stranding and the history

Around Iceland Self Drive 13 of whaling. Open June, July, August: 08:30 – dalur, which are the only inhabited places in 18:30 daily. May and September: 9:00 – 18:00 the mountain area. the road across the gravel daily. With shorter opening hours in the desert of the highlands is a unique experience. autumn and winter months. Tel. 414 2800. In good weather you may see the table volcano Recommended cafés and restaurants in Herðubreið to the south, and the snow-clad Húsavík are Gamli Baukur located right on the stratovolcano Snæfell, further east. pier in a charming house made mainly of drift Arriving in the eastern part, you follow road wood and Salka restaurant. no. 1 to Egilsstaðir. If you are not travelling between mid June and mid September, please note that the Fun things to do roads to Jökulsárgljúfur and Dettifoss water- Whale Watching from Húsavík fall are closed. Duration: 3 hours Please ask locally for information on road Norðursigling: 464 7272. conditions before leaving Húsavík. If the roads to Dettifoss are closed, you must take road no. Day 7: 87 from Húsavík to Mývatn and from there towards Egilsstaðir on road no. 1. Reyðarfjörður, Stöðvarfjörður, Djúpivogur, If the roads are open, you continue from Höfn Húsavík to the Tjörnes peninsula, famous for Narrow Fjords, Steep Mountains, Picturesque its fossiliferous layers and bird life. Coastline, Mineral Collection You will continue on road no. 85 to Jökulsár- ➠➠Approximate driving distance: gljúfur Canyon National Park, the largest and 300 km / 186 miles most rugged gorge in Iceland, through which Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for flows Jökulsá, one of the country’s mighty details about your overnight stay glacial rivers. Once there, you should visit: gilsstaðir is situated some distance inland, Ásbyrgi, at road no. 861, a natural horseshoe- Eon a fertile plain on the border of Lake shaped rock enclosure, whose impressive walls Lagarfljót, which is a huge glacial river. Accord- reach a height of 90 m (295 ft), sheltering ing to local legends, similar to those about fertile and lush vegetation. Loch Ness in Scotland, you might expect to see a lake serpent, called Lagarfljótsormurinn, The Nature Reserve of Hljóðaklettar (The reputedly living in the murky waters. Egilsstaðir Echo Cliffs) on road 862 from Ásbyrgi, a great is a natural centre for regional social services labyrinth of crags and rock formations which, and transportation to many of the towns and like other strange rock formations and canyons villages in the eastern part of Iceland. in the National Park, is the result of cata- You can make an interesting visit to Hall- strophic floods and water erosion. ormsstaður , a state forestry plantation in the beautiful Hallormsstaðaskógur, where 80 Hólmatungur Nature Reserve, also on road species of trees from various parts of the world 862 with beautiful, colourful rock formations are growing. Hallormsstaðaskógur is the largest and rich flora. forest plantation in Iceland. From Egilsstaðir to Hallormsstaður the distance is 26 km (16 Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, miles), but if you have the time to drive around contrasting strikingly with the smaller water- the lake, which is in all 84 km (52 miles), we falls of Hafragilsfoss and Selfoss. recommend a stop on the other side of the lake, 20 km (12,5 miles) from Hallormsstaður, called After this you will take road no. 1 over the Skriðuklaustur. mountains, passing Grímsstaðir and Möðru- The building was designed by the German

14 Self Drive Around Iceland architect Fritz Höger and built in 1939 for is geologically the oldest part of Iceland. The the writer Gunnar Gunnarsson. Today it is an region is heavily eroded and therefore there are institute which enables artists, writers and many interesting minerals and semi-precious scholars to stay temporarily to work, but a part stones to be found there. of it is open to the public. If you are here in the The Eastern Fjords are renowned for the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to history of brave French, Belgian and Spanish enjoy one of the finest refreshments in Iceland. fishermen who hunted whales and fished for Everything is home-made and served by local cod in the seas off the coast of the eastern women. shores from the beginning of the 17th century. Seyðisfjörður is only 27 km (17 miles) away An Icelandic farmer compiled the world’s first from Egilsstaðir. It is a beautiful town worth dictionary of the Basque language in the 17th visiting, situated in a deep, 18 km (11 miles) century in order to be able to communicate long fjord of the same name. Trading started with some of them. in Seyðisfjörður in 1834 and in the latter part Take road no. 92 to Reyðarfjörður, one of of the 19th century it became, for a while, one the largest villages of the Eastern Fjords. It of the largest towns in Iceland. Many beautiful served as one of the largest Allied bases during Norwegian-style houses date from that time. World War II. In the village at the base of the Today you will drive the Eastern Fjords. fjord there is a small museum of war memo- Eastern Iceland is a very mountainous region rabilia called the Icelandic Wartime Museum. of deep fjords cut off from each other by sheer It is open 17. June – 31 August from 13:00 to mountains. There is very little volcanic or 17:00, 470-9063. The road runs through a steep geothermal activity hereabouts as the region river valley lined by many smaller waterfalls at

Around Iceland Self Drive 15 irregular intervals. the shore, you will find seabirds, arctic terns From Reyðarfjörður continue your journey, and possibly seals out on the rocks. Continue either the long way or through the tunnel, to to Höfn. Fáskrúðsfjörður. On the way to Fáskrúðs- Höfn is a bustling fishing and fish process- fjörður you should see seabirds and possibly ing port, as well as a commercial centre, with also seals. Fáskrúðsfjörður used to be the considerable farming in the neighbouring area. base for French fishermen. The French built a hospital and a chapel there and 49 French and Belgian fishermen lie buried in the cemetery at Fun things to do Krossar, situated on the seashore on the north- Boat Tour to Papey from Djúpivogur ern outskirts of the town. (Jun-Aug) From Fáskrúðsfjörður you follow road no. 96 Duration: 4 hours, boat leaves at 1 pm every day southward. You drive to Stöðvarfjörður, where Papeyjarferðir, tel. 862 4399 or 478 8119 you can visit the famous Rock Collection of Jeep Tour or Snow Scooter Tour on Petra Sveinsdóttir tel. 475-8834. Over 90% Vatnajökull Glacier of the stones in her collection were found in Duration: 3 hours and 15 minutes Stöðvafjörður and the surroundings. Jöklajeppar (Glacier Jeeps), tel. 478 1000 or You will continue your journey through 894 3133 Breiðdalsvík town to Berufjörður fjord, which 4wd Quad Biking in Hoffell is known for its zeolite-crystals. At the south- Duration: 1.5 hours ern opening of Berufjörður you will find the Vatnajökull Travel, tel. 894 1616. fishing village of Djúpivogur Djúpivogur is a beautifully situated, pic- Day 8: turesque fishing town. If you can, take a walk around this beautiful area, please ask for a Höfn, Skaftafell, Kirkjubæjarklaustur hiking map of the area in the shops. Djúpivogur Europe’s Largest Glacier and National Park, might be an interesting choice for birdwatchers Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs because there you can experience unspoiled nature where you can see the majority of ➠➠Approximate driving distance: Icelandic birds in their natural environment 200 km / 124 miles without having to walk or travel long distances. Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for Mammals such as seals and reindeer can be details about your overnight stay seen hereabouts frequently. In Djúpivogur are two birdwatching shelters open to the public. runnhóll farm and guesthouse makes a You can get more information at the Informa- Bdelicious stop on the way to the Glacial tion Centre in Langabúð. Lagoon, since the farm is known for its own You now continue through the Lón area on production of homemade ice-cream. your way to Höfn. Many consider the Lón area At the travel service in Hólmur, before to be one of the most beautiful in Iceland. reaching Höfn, you can visit a café and Pet- The last part of the road to Höfn passes ting Zoo with all the common Icelandic farm through Almannaskarð. If the weather is good animals, horses, sheep, dogs, cats and more. one option is to drive to a viewing point on the Open daily, 09:00-17:00, tel. 478 1037. east side of the tunnel, before you go through. Continue on road no. 1 to Jökulsárlón, There enjoy the beautiful scenery towards where it is possible to take a breathtaking the west. You see the glacial tongues crawling cruise amongst floating icebergs on the fantas- down from the main icecap to the lowlands. tic 180 m (590 ft) deep glacial lagoon. The ice- When you emerge from the tunnel you will bergs break off enormous ice lobes, advancing immediately find a road to the left marked down deep valleys from the Vatnajökull icecap. “Stokksnes”. At the end of that road, down at The ice from the glacier is over 1000 years old,

16 Self Drive Around Iceland but the lagoon has largely been formed over torrential glacial rivers. Following a volcanic the last century, as the glacier has retreated in eruption in Vatnajökull glacier in October 1996, the warmer climate. Sometimes you can see millions of tons of water and ice flooded over seals by the coastline of the lagoon. Skeiðarársandur. From Jökulsárlón you will drive to Skaftafell The flood washed away large parts of the National Park. Skaftafell National Park is a road and destroyed two bridges. Preliminary masterpiece of seemingly impossible contrasts repairs were made and the road opened of nature. On the one hand you have the again in December, only two months after Skeiðársandur plains, vast stretches of black the eruption. Some of the icebergs that the sandy wasteland and volcanic debris borne flood carried with it were as large as three- from volcanic eruptions from underneath the storey houses. You will pass Lómagnúpur, an icecap of Vatnajökull. On the other hand you impressive 688 m (2.257 ft) high precipice, a have the enormous icecap of Vatnajökull with towering outpost west of the sandy desert of its valley glaciers descending like fingers in all Skeiðarársandur and Núpsstaður, an old farm directions. In the middle lies Skaftafell plateau, surrounded by magnificent cliffs, where you like a verdant oasis, where you can see gorges will find one of the oldest churches in Iceland with clear brooks and beautiful waterfalls, with a turf-covered roof. birch woods, a wealth of wild flowers and lush You will keep driving to reach Kirkjubæ- vegetation. A walk on the marked paths along jarklaustur, an area of great natural beauty, the gorges for a look at the waterfalls is a must a growing resort with a number of historical for all visitors. The most majestic is Svartifoss spots. or the "Black Waterall"; plunging over a wall of Kirkjubæjarklaustur was the site of a symmetrical basalt columns that remind you of convent in earlier times, a fact reflected in organ pipes. place name like Systrastapi, Systrafoss and From Skaftafell you will drive through Systravatn, meaning Sisters´ Rock, Sisters´ Fall the great natural barrier Skeiðarársandur, a and Sisters´ Lake, respectively. You can have a vast, black and sandy desert, washed down by look at the famous Kirkjugólf or church floor,

Around Iceland Self Drive 17 at the northern end of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Boat Tour on the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon although it is believed that it was never a floor Duration: 30-40 min in a church. It is the surface of huge basalt col- Jökulsárlón, tel. 478 2222 or 899 5920 umns. On the west side of Kirkjubæjarklaustur Glacial Walk in Skaftafell you will see numerous hills, Landbrotshólar, Duration: 2.5 hours which comprise the biggest area of pseudo Icelandic Mountain Guides, tel. 587 9999 craters in Iceland. and 899 9982 The area has a lot to offer the visitor; Hik- Trout Fishing, close to Kirkjubæjarklaustur ing, swimming or sightseeing are some of the Duration: Variable options. The Tourist Information Office in Efri-Vík farm, tel. 487 4694 Kirkjubæjarklaustur, tel. 487-4620 can give further information on what to do (open June- Day 9: August). Vík, Skógar, Reykjavík Fun things to do Lava Fields, Black Sand Beaches of the South Jeep Tour or Snow Scooter Tour on Vatna- Shore, Puffin Colony, Thundering Waterfalls jökull Glacier Duration: 3 hours and 15 minutes ➠➠Approximate driving distance: Jöklajeppar (Glacier Jeeps), tel. 478 1000 or 260 km / 162 miles 894 3133 Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for 4wd Quad Biking in Hoffell details about your overnight stay Duration: 1.5 hours Vatnajökull Travel, tel. 894 1616

18 Self Drive Around Iceland rive road no. 1 in a westerly direction. You Please note: Dwill drive across the impressive Skaftárel- dahraun lava field, which was created in the 1783 As much as this stretch of black sand looks volcanic eruption at Laki Craters, supposedly the innocent, it’s open to the Atlantic Ocean biggest lava field on earth coming from a single and is known for eextremely treacherous eruption and which is now covered with moss. waves and strong currents. You should You keep on going to the quiet village of Vík. therefore be extra careful, comply with Vík is situated in the mild and fertile Mýrda- warning signs at all times and keep away lur valley, which is the southernmost borough from the shore line. in Iceland. The western border is marked by the glacial river, Jökulsá, to the east is the river Heiðarvatn: A lake that lies not far from Bautakvísl, and to the south are black volcanic Vík. It offers good trout fishing and is a nice sands and the Atlantic Ocean. Mýrdalur is a area for walking. Please note that you will need farming area with about 600 inhabitants, 330 of a permit for fishing. Various caves can also them in the village of Vík. It is an area of great be explored, such as Hálsanefshellir, close to contrasts. Lush green pastures lie between Reynisfjall. vast black volcanic sands. Rugged mountains, You continue the journey and pass scarred by deep gullies, rise from the sands and Dyrhólaey, a magnificent rocky headland with are topped by the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The sheer cliffs. It is the southernmost point of area has rich birdlife with the country’s largest Iceland and at the tip of it is a a huge wave cut nesting colony of arctic terns just east of the arch which boats can sail through. The headland village. In the cliffs west of the village you will is known for its bird life and is certainly worth a see countless puffins, kittiwakes and fulmars, visit. It is about 5 km from road no. 1 on road no. mainly during the months of May, June and July. 218, about 8 km (5 miles) from Vík village. Please be careful when walking in the nest- Dyrhólaey is a bird sanctuary and closed ing area of the arctic terns as they are very to all traffic during the nesting season from protective of their eggs and their young ones. 1. May – 25. June each year. Please note that If you intrude on these areas you can expect the road to the top is is not always recom- the adult birds to dive bomb and attempt to mended as it is very steep. If it has been raining peck your head with their sharp beaks. To avoid severely, the road turns muddy and is not suit- getting hurt, please put a stick, umbrella or able for smaller cars and inexperienced drivers. something long above your head since they One has to be very careful walking on top of attack the highest point. Dyrhólaey, as no fences protect you from fall- Reynisdrangar: These are stacks or needles ing, so do not walk close to the edge. in the sea at the base of Reynisfjall Mountain, You will continue driving on road no. 1 supposedly formed when two trolls were try- passing Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Mýrdalsjökull ing to drag a three-masted ship to land. When glacier is Iceland’s fourth largest glacier. Glacier daylight broke they turned to stone. The stacks tongues creep down its sides to the lowlands, rise 66 m (216 ft) above sea level and can be the most prominent being Sólheimajökull. seen from Vík. Buried deep under the south eastern side of the Just after Vík there is another recommended glacier is Katla, a sub glacial central volcano, 10 detour to the so called Reynishverfi by turn- km (6.3 miles) in diameter. Since the settlement ing left on road no. 215. Reynishverfi offers of Iceland, Katla has erupted 16–20 times at an a beautiful black beach and impressive basalt average interval of 40–80 years, melting the columns. At one place you can even see and go glacial cap and causing catastrophic floods in into a cave called Hálsanefshellir carved by the the plains below. All of this has in the course of sea over thousands of years. Depending on the time created the vast Mýrdalssandur desert on tides the cave may not always be accessible. the southeastern side of the glacier. Katla last erupted in 1918.

Around Iceland Self Drive 19 Continue your journey to Skógar. When you the cliff where it cascades down, offering an are in Skógar you can visit the folk museum and opportunity to walk behind the waterfall. Skógafoss waterfall, 60 m (197 ft) high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the You will continue your trip on road no. 1 country. through the fertile farmlands of the south, Shortly after you pass Seljalandsfoss water- towards the west through the small villages fall, you can pay a visit to the famous visitor of Hvolsvöllur and Hella, where trade and centre at Þorvaldseyri farm, tel. 487 5757, services are the main occupations. which gained world-wide attention during This is the region where one of the best the volcanic eruption beneath Eyjafjallajökull known Icelandic classical Sagas, Njal´s Saga is Glacier. During the eruption, thick layers of set. You have the opportunity to visit the Saga ash fell to the ground and rivers flooded their Centre in Hvolsvöllur where you can learn banks, damaging farmland, hot water pipes more about the sagas, tel. 487 8781. and flood barriers on surrounding farms. The On a clear day you can see the Westman farmer, Ólafur Eggertsson, and his family, have Islands to your left. There is a ferry to the extraordinary images on display, showing the Westman Islands, sailing from Landeyjarsan- farm and its surrounding before, during and dur. Therefore it is easy to take a detour to this after the eruption. archipelago of around 15 small islands. The Not far away is Seljalandsfoss waterfall, largest island, Heimaey, has a population of 40 m (131 ft) high. A path lies at the bottom of around 4.000 inhabitants.

20 Self Drive Around Iceland Detour to the Westman Islands: this unique island, which is on the UNESCO World few kilometres east of Hvolsvöllur, turn Heritage List. A right when you see the ferry sign and drive A boat tour around the islands is a must for towards the ocean. The ferry “Herjólfur” all bird and nature lovers, please call Viking Tours offers several departures per day, please call 481 for further information, tel. 488 4884. They offer 2800 for information about the schedule and various tours, such as the popular circle tour, whale prices. You can either leave your car behind at watching and deep sea fishing. the harbour or take it along on the ferry. The A visit to the Museum of Natural History duration of the trip is about 30 minutes in good offers insights into the islands´ bird and marine weather. life, houses a rock and minerals collection and an Once in the Westman Islands, you should visit aquarium. From mid-May until mid-September Eldheimar – a volcano museum of remem- the museum is open daily from 11:00-17:00 but brance, tel 488 2700. The exhibition focuses on less in other months, tel. 481 1997. the 1973 volcanic eruption on Heimaey in 1973, Beautiful walks on Heimaey include a walk to which was one of the most destructive natural the southern tip of the island, "Stórhöfði", for disasters in Iceland in recent times. The highlight puffin and bird spotting, and a hike up to Helga- of the exhibition is a house that has been delicately fell and/or Eldfell volcano. excavated. Eldheimar also houses the Surtsey Back on the ferry and you find yourself again exhibition with all available information about on the main-land.

Around Iceland Self Drive 21 Mt. Hekla is without a doubt Iceland’s most isheiði, which offers a magnificent view of the famous volcano. It is still very active, erupting southern lowlands, green and fertile, and on to most recently in 1970, 1980, 1981 and in 1991. Reykjavík. The last eruption started on 26th February in For those that have some time to spare 2000 and lasted for 12 days; the lava from this in Reykjavik we suggest that you visit Lau- eruption covers approximately 18 km² (47 mi²). gardalslaug swimming pool or one of the Instead of a classic volcano cone, Hekla is part many swimming pools in Reykjavík. There is of a rather squat series of ridges, although this also a botanical garden and family park in the is usually hidden behind a thick bank of clouds Laugardalur area you might enjoy visiting. that earned Hekla its menacing name, which You can also browse around the old city centre means the hooded one. Soon after the settle- with its many shops, galleries, museums, cafés ment period, in 1104, Hekla showed that it was and restaurants. Recommended sites to visit if a presence to be feared as it erupted with- walking are: Hallgrímskirkja Church, the City out warning and devastated 20 farms in the Hall, Tjörnin Lake, the harbour area, Harpa Þjórsárdalur valley. Indeed the volcano was conference and music hall, and the sculpture so infamous that in Medieval times Europeans Sun Voyager. Just outside the city centre you believed it to be the very gateway to hell. The can visit Perlan and Höfði House. volcanic eruptions from Hekla are spectacular as the mountain is 1,493 m high (4897 ft) high Fun things to do and towers over the lowlands of the south. Snowmobile Tour of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier Drive road no. 1 to Selfoss and continue Duration: 1 hour you trip to Hveragerði, the “Flower Town”. Arcanum, tel. 487 1500 / 893 3445 This small town nestles under the slopes of Glacial Walk with Crampons on mountains and is built right in the middle of a Sólheimajökull, with the possibility of some geothermal field. It is the country’s most pro- ice-climbing for those willing enough to try ductive greenhouse area, producing a variety of Duration: 1.5 to 3.5 hours flowers and vegetables. Icelandic Mountain Guides, tel. 587 9999 or Continue over the mountain pass Hell- 899 9982

22 Self Drive Around Iceland If you have not planned any extra activi- to the airport and check in will start 2 hours ties in Reykjavik and would like to add an before your departure. experience to your stay there, be sure to visit If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your our website www.icelandtravel.is to make a way to the city on day one, but have time to booking. spare today you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport. For this detour, Day 10: please be sure to allow for at least 2-2,5 hours extra to ensure you´ll have ample time in the Departure lagoon. The rental car should be returned to the eparture from your accommodation is rec- airport service area which is located only 2 min- Dommended 3 hours before the departure utes from the airport terminal. A shuttle will of your flight, as it takes approx. 1 hour to drive 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 great to hear how your holiday went when you get back home! You can either log on to our website’s comment section at www.icelandtravel.is/comment/ or visit our TripAdvisor profile.

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