Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Stafafell Guesthouse
GUESTHOUSE, COTTAGES
( 478 1717;
www.stafafell.is
;
r without bathroom per person Ikr3750, cottages Ikr15,000)
In a rustic farmhouse by the tiny church, there's a basic guesthouse with kitchen facilities.
There are also a couple of self-contained cottages, sleeping four. Prices here exclude linen
(available for hire, for Ikr1750 per person).
Lónsöræfi
If you're in Iceland to get in touch with your inner hermit, the remote, rugged nature re-
serve Lónsöræfi could be on your hit-list. This protected wilderness, inland from Staf-
tafell, contains some colourful rhyolite mountains, and at 320 sq km is one of Iceland's
largest conservation areas (
Click here
)
.
Hiking in this area is challenging and only for experienced hikers (some trails require
substantial river crossings). Longer hikes range towards the eastern part of Vatnajökull,
and northwest to Snæfell. You can camp at sites in the reserve, and there are mountain huts
along the Snæfell-Lónsöræfi hike, which ends (or begins) at the Illikambur parking area.
The only road into the reserve is the F980, a rough track off the Ring Road that ends
after 25km at Illikambur. It's only suitable for super-Jeeps and experienced drivers - there
is a deep, fast-flowing river to cross (small 4WDs will simply not cut it here). Contact
Fal-
(Ikr10,000 one way, minimum two people).
Although Lónsöræfi isn't part of Vatnajökull National Park, the park's website
(
www.vjp.is
)
has details of hiking trails, and the visitor centres at Skaftafell, Höfn and
Skríðuklaustur (in the east, covering the Snæfell region of the national park) can advise on
options and sell topo maps, which you will certainly require. There is good info (especially
on access to the area) on the Stafafall Guesthouse website.
Tours
Iceguide
ADVENTURE TOUR
( 661 0900;
www.iceguide.is
)
