Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hvítá, it's
Hraunfossar
(Lava Falls) that make for the best photographs; however, don't
expect thundering white torrents - the falls here are gentle cascades of bright, turquoise
water, emerging from under the moss-covered lava to tumble down a series of rock steps
into the river. From here, a track leads upstream to
Barnafoss
(Children's Falls), which is
far more lively - it was here that two children fell to their deaths when crossing a narrow
stone arch that once spanned the river. A modern footbridge now affords an excellent
view of the water churning violently as it channels through the ravine below.
Okjökull
One of Iceland's smaller glaciers,
Okjökull
(Ok) is perfect for a
day-hike
from Húsafell.
At a height of 1141m, the glacier sits in a dolerite shield volcano and is easily reached
from Húsafell by first following the western edge of the Bæjargil ravine up to the
Drangsteinabrún ridge. Cross to the eastern side of the small ponds which lie south of
the ridge and continue straight up to Ok. On a clear day the
views
from here are truly
spectacular - west you can see to the coastline and the town of Borgarnes, while inland
there are sweeping vistas of the Interior. Allow five or six hours and take enough food
and drink to last for a day.
3
Eiríksjökull
Immediately east of Húsafell, the peak of
Eiríksjökull
(1675m), on the glacier of the
same name, is the highest mountain in western Iceland and the long
hike
here should
only be undertaken by seasoned walkers. Before setting out, get detailed information
from the service centre in Húsafell, where you can also get helpful
maps
; the following
description, however, should help you trace your route along them. Head along the
hard, dry grass of the northern slope of Strútur mountain, northeast of Kalmanstunga
farm, from where there are difficult trails east across Hallmundarhraun to Hvítárdrög
at the foot of the glacier. Begin the climb itself by hiking up the prominent ravine on
the western edge of the glacier, remembering your route to help your descent - it can
be very disorientating up here. Beyond the ravine, the going gets considerably easier
but watch out for crevasses. Allow a full day and bear in mind that sun-melt can make
the hike a lot harder.
Langjökull
Just 20km southeast of Húsafell, but not readily accessible on foot due to its isolated
location on the western edges of the Interior, lies Iceland's second-largest ice cap,
THE KALDIDALUR INTERIOR ROUTE
From Húsafell, Route 550 (Kaldadalsvegur) winds its way southwest through the haunting
beauty of the
Kaldidalur
valley on its way to the information centre and campsite at Þingvellir
(see p.99), a distance of around 60km. If you're short of time but want a taste of the barren
expanses of the Icelandic Interior, this is a good option: you'll come face to face with four
glaciers
- Eiríksjökull, Okjökull, Langjökull and Þórisjökull, a small oval-shaped ice cap rising to
a height of 1350m - and pass through a vast grey
desert
where ferocious sandstorms can
appear in seconds, transforming what was once a clear vista of majestic ice caps and volcanic
sands into an impenetrable cloud of grit and dirt. As the neck of land carrying the road
narrows to pass between the Ok and Þórisjökull glaciers, the route climbs and rides along the
straight Langihyrggur ridge affording spectacular views of Þórisjökull opposite.
The Kaldidalur route is unsealed and rough, though generally open to conventional vehicles
from mid-June until late August - you'll need to check road conditions in advance through
W
vegag.is.
