Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
Bus 661 Reykjahlíð to Krafla (Ikr1700, 15 minutes, two daily mid-June to August). Runs
at 8am and 11.30am; the latter service continues on to Dettifoss. Return bus from Krafla to
Reykjahlíð at 2.30pm.
THE DIAMOND CIRCLE
You may see promotion of the 'Diamond Circle' in tourist brochures around the northeast.
This is a moniker given to the route taking in the headlining acts of Húsavík, Ásbyrgi, Det-
tifoss and Mývatn (check out coverage at
www.diamondcircle.is
).
It's on the cards for Rte 862 to be sealed between Ásbyrgi and Dettifoss sometime in
the next couple of years - when this occurs, travelling between these points will become
easier, and there may well be new businesses setting up (and more bus links).
Wondering about the name? Consider the pulling power of the 'Golden Circle' in Ice-
land's southwest…
MÝVATN TO EGILSSTAÐIR (RING ROAD)
Travelling between Reykjahlíð and Egilsstaðir, you'll quickly encounter the geological
wonders of Námafjall and Krafla, and no doubt be lured off the Ring Road to check out
mighty Dettifoss. The 4WD-only Rte F88 turn-off to Askja and Herðubreið in the high-
lands is about 7km past the sealed Rte 862 to Dettifoss; 3km further east, you cross bridge
over the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum.
Rte 864 is signposted from just east of the bridge; this is a rough gravel road that arrives
at Dettifoss (eastern vantage point) after 28km, Ásbyrgi after 56km. It's best to tackle Rte
864 in a 4WD.
From here, the Ring Road takes a shortcut inland across the stark highlands of the north-
east interior. If you won't be travelling into the highlands proper, you'll catch a glimpse of
them here. The ostensibly barren, grey-toned landscape is dotted with low hills, small
lakes caused by melting snowfields, and streams and rivers wandering aimlessly before
disappearing into gravel beds.
