Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
steaming earths near
Valahnúkur
or
Krýsuvík
before barrelling down the coastal high-
way for fresh seafood in
Eyrarbakki
or
Stokkseyri
. Choose a base near
Hella
or
Hvols-
völlur
to get out in the open air on horseback: the lush waterfall-rimmed Fljótshlíð valley
is a key candidate. Or try to spot the Northern Lights (in the colder months). Active bodies
will enjoy the stunning Fimmvörðuháls hike from
Skógar
up through the ridge between
two brooding ice caps (and the site of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010) then down into
Þórsmörk
, a forested valley dotted with wild Arctic flowers. Or you can take a super-Jeep
tour or amphibious bus to Þórsmörk, and then do day hikes around the valley. Those who
are tighter on time can trek along the glacial tongue of
Sólheimajökull
instead.
On your way back west, roam the
Þjo
́
rsa
́
rdalur
, a broad volcanic river valley with a
handful of disparate sights, including a Settlement Era farmstead, hidden waterfalls, and
the foothills of Hekla volcano. Or, swing up to the gushing cascades at
Gullfoss
, the spurt-
ing
Geysir
from which all others got their name, and the rift valley and ancient parliament
site
Þingvellir National Park
- the classic Golden Circle route. Wrap up your minibreak
with a night in
Reykjavík
. Iceland's capital bustles with an all-star assortment of trendy
boutiques, interesting museums and galleries, scrumptious restaurants and lively bars, plus
there's easy access to whale-watching trips from the Old Harbour.
Great Geysir, Geysir
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