North Iceland - Iceland - page 555

riddled pinnacles and rock formations of Hljóðaklettar, the Rauðhólar crater row, the
ponds of Eyjan (not to be confused with the Eyjan at Ásbyrgi) and the canyon itself.
Sights
Hljóðaklettar ROCK FORMATIONS
The bizarre swirls, spirals, rosettes, honeycombs and basalt columns at Hljóðaklettar
(Echo Rocks) are a highlight of any hike around Vesturdalur and a puzzling place for ama-
teur geologists. It's difficult to imagine what sort of volcanic activity produced these twis-
ted rock forms. Weird concertina formations and repeat patterns occur throughout, and the
normally vertical basalt columns (formed by rapidly cooling lava) show up on the hori-
zontal here.
These strange forms and patterns create an acoustic effect that makes it impossible to
determine the direction of the roaring river, a curiosity that gave the area its name.
A circular walking trail (3km) from the parking area takes less than an hour to explore.
The best formations, which are also riddled with lava caves, are found along the river,
northeast of the parking area.
Rauðhólar CRATER ROW
The Rauðhólar (Red Hills) crater row, just north of Hljóðaklettar, displays a vivid array of
colours in the cinder-like gravel on the remaining cones. The craters can be explored on
foot during a 5km loop walk from the Vesturdalur parking area.
Karl og Kerling ROCK FORMATIONS
Two rock pillars, Karl og Kerling ('Old Man' and 'Old Woman'), believed to be petrified
trolls, stand on a gravel bank west of the river, a 2km return walk from the Vesturdalur car
park. Across the river is Tröllahellir, the gorge's largest cave, but it's reached only on a
5km cross-country hike from Rte 864 on the eastern side.
Eyjan ROCK FORMATIONS
From Karl og Kerling you can return to Vesturdalur by walking a 7km trail around Eyjan,
a mesa-like 'island' covered with low, scrubby forests and small ponds. Follow the river