When you drive from reykjavik along the South Coast towards Vik, you can't but notice the huge farms in the area between Selfoss and Hvolsvollur. The area is made up of the fertile lowlands flanked on one side by the majestic Hekla. In the far distance, we spotted our destination of the South icelandic Highlands with the famous Eyjafjallajokull volcano. With our destination slowly getting closer, we got excited to visit the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. The car park at the waterfall is very busy, and it made us aware again that iceland is a busy tourist destination. After having paid the small car park fee, we made our way over to the waterfall which thunders down from a height of 40 meters. The waterfall is unique as the shape of the waterfall and cavity behind the waterfall allow you to walk around it and view the waterfall from behind. The day we visted was dull and overcast, but on a sunny day you get fabulous views from behind the waterfall from where you can admire the multi-coloured rainbows created by the sunlight and water droplets. On the day we visited, we just got drenched due to the strong wind which lifted the water towards the back of the cavity where the path runs, but that made it even more spectacular. It is a fabulous location, but it is a very busy one. So the advise we give is to arrive very early or very late and enjoy the waterfall on your own.
0 Comments
Hvalfjordur or the Whale fjord is only a 30 minute drive from reykjavik, but the fjord with it's calm waters, snow-capped mountains and waterfalls is a must visit. Since the tunnel underneath Hvalfjordur was built to eliminate the need to drive around this particular fjord, the area has become very quiet and tranquil. From the moment you turn-off onto route 47, all traffic disappears and you be one of the only road users on this well maintained route. On this particular day, the water was like a mirror, the snow capped mountains were glistening in the March sunshine. In the fjord, although the name suggests it, you wouldn't really see any whales. But there is still a whaling station which is the only one left in Iceland. During World War 2, a naval base of the British and American Navy was located in this fjord, some of the buildings and piers are still visible. At the end point of the fjord is a hiking trail to the formerly highest waterfall of Iceland , named Glymur. The trail follows the edge of the river gorge and is a spectacular walk, at one point passing through a short cave and having to cross a thin bridge. Driving around the fjord, you will notice the many summer houses against the flanks of the mountains. If you are interested in learning more about the WW2 occupation by British and American navy of Hvalfjordur, you should visit the War and peace museum (http://www2.warandpeace.is/). This museum has a great range of artifacts and information and is worth a visit. The drive around the fjord is worth the detour, and we recommend driving around the fjord rather than taking the tunnel underneath it, just to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of this fjord. When you are in Iceland for the first time, one must do tourist attraction is the Golden Circle route, a popular tourist route of approx 300km. On this route, one of the must see attractions is Gullfoss waterfall ( http://gullfoss.is/ ) . And it must be said, these tourist attractions are busy. The large car park was busy with buses and cars. A large tourist shop and restaurant welcome the many tourists, but we headed straight for the waterfall. A path and stairwell brings the many tourists towards the waterfall. Ice and snow were lingering at the foot of Gullfoss waterfall, a huge waterfall at the Hvita river. Here, the waterfall plunges rapidly down 2 stages to a depth of 32 meters. The day was bitterly cold and the wind had picked up significantly since early morning, so we decided to keep moving. A path which starts at the lowerr viewing point brings you as close to the waterfall as possible. This path will be closed in icy conditions for safety reasons. Heading back to the visitor center, we decided to have a quick browse in the tourist shop. In the shop, there was a large selection of Icelandic products ranging from food to clothes. We liked the colourful wellies from designer Ilse Jacobsen, the Urta Icelandica black lavasalt ( https://www.urta.is/) had us intrigued.
Mount Esja dominates the skyline from Reykjavik and is seen as the most popular area for outdoor recreation around Reykjavik. Mount Esju is popular with daytrippers , and it is here where you can find many kiking trails . Mount Esja (914m) is part of a volcanic mountain range . The trails are clearly marked based on their difficulty rating, so there is trail for every level of fitness and capability. The most popular trail in the park is the trail up Dverfellshorn, which stands 770m tall. The area is also the playground for the annual Mount Esja Ultra (http://mtesjaultra.is/) where the racers have to run a 7km loop 11 times. The views on a clear day are just fabulous. I know it can be windy in Iceland, but on this particular day in March, 140 km/hr winds came racing down the mountain flanks into the valleys below Iceland's infamous Eyjafjallajokull glacier. And we had the great idea to go for a swim in Iceland's oldest pool, Seljavallalaug swimming pool. Having parked the car at the unsurfaced car park, we were barely able to open the doors of the car due to the howling wind. Heading deeper into the valley following the riverbed, we started to think it might be smarter to turn back to the car, this as the wind was making walking barely possible. But the thought of being able to swim in a geothermal heated pool in the middle of the mountains had been for a long time on my bucket list, so we carried on with our walk, or should I say snail-paced struggle against the strong headwind. Following the riverbed, we admired the amazing rock formations on the left of the river, basalt rocks in all different shapes draped in moss. Turning around the corner deeper into the valley, the wind picked up even further, forcing us at some stages to crouch into a small ball in order to avoid being blown over. Between the gusts, we carried on with our struggle until we reached the pool after a 30 minutes hike. The 25 meter pool is at a comfortable temperature thanks to it's geothermal heating, the small dressing rooms are very basic but practical. On 1 side of the pool, a rock functions as 1 of the pool walls, the other 3 are made out of concrete. The pool is free to use, but a donation box is there to support the volunteers who maintain the swimming pool. The water comes from a hot spring nearby. A quick change and I finally managed to tick another item of my bucketlist, a refreshing swim in the geothermal heated pool was brilliant fun. But we also think about safety, and with the wind picking up even stronger, we decided to head back after a quick swim in this fabulous pool. At this stage, the wind had become so strong that it was pushing us back towards the car in record time. Driving from Keflavik to Grindasvik on route #43, you can't but admire the moss covered lavafields on either side of the road. In the distance, the flume of the Svartsengi power station is giving away our final destination. Back in 1976, when the Power Plant started it's operation producing hot water and energy , a side product was created which would later result in the Blue Lagoon. Back in those days, people noticed the benefits of bathing in the lagoon and applying the silica mud onto their skin resulting in beneficial results for psoriasis. Roll on the years and you find yourself in one of iceland's top attractions. So we mentioned Silica mud, the aptly named Silica Hotel welcomes guests in it's 35 rooms. The hotel has been carefully built between the lavafields using materials which nicely blend into the environment. The hotel is a 10 minute walk from the Blue Lagoon, but it has also it's own bathing lagoon available to the hotel's guests. The black material is nicely matched to green tinted glass, thus totally blending in with the environment of the moss covered lava fields. Walking from the Silica hotel to the Blue Lagoon is a pleasant experience. A path has been carved through the lava fields and lagoons making it a pleasant walk on a particular sunny morning. The early morning sun was still hidden behind the steam flumes of the power station, but was trying its uttermost best to break through the thick steam flume. It is actually suprising how quiet the walk from the Silica hotel to the Blue lagoon is. But at the Blue lagoon is where it get's busy, buses dropping off multiple eager tourists waiting to feel and sample the thermal lagoon. That being said, it is all well organized and it never seems to be too hectic to get inside the building. The Blue Lagoon main building has also been nicely blended into the environment. Entering the building, bathers have to go to the left. on the right is the Blue lagoon shop selling loads of skin products, straight onwards is the Blue Cafe and Lava restaurant. The Blue cafe is bright and spacious, a great spot from where you can observe the many people in the lagoon. The cafe offers sandwiches, sushi and light salads and a whole array of drinks. At the back of the cafe is the entrance into the Lava restaurant which has been built into a lava cliff with fabulous views across the lagoon. On the menu, you have a la carte options, but also a tasting menu if you want to sample what's on offer. And for the people who still have energy left after a day soaking in the lagoon, there is also the option to do a bit of shopping. Many of the skin products can be purchased in the shop so that you can enjoy them during the weeks ahead. Even if you don't feel like going into the lagoon, it is worth a visit just to walk through the lavafields, admiring the milky blue lagoons and have a tasty cup of coffee. |
About the AuthorWe are Peter & Dolores De Bie. We love the great outdoors, discovering new parts of the world and writing about our adventures along the Wild Atlantic Way and further afield Categories
All
|