Outdoor Adventures - Iceland - page 63

Ásbyrgi to Dettifoss A sampler of Iceland's geological phenomena starts at the northern
end of Jökulsárgljúfur (in Vatnajökull National Park) and works its way down the gorge, end-
ing with Europe's most powerful waterfall. Duration: two days
Royal Horn Words can't do justice to Hornstrandir's fan-favourite route and the views of
lonely fjords, emerald-green bluffs and swooping gulls. Duration: four to five days
Fimmvörðuháls A parade of waterfalls turns into a blustery desert as you pass between
hulking glaciers. Then, the steaming stones from the 2010 eruption appear before the path
leads down into flower-filled Þórsmörk. Duration: one to two days
Kerlingarfjöll Loop Largely untouched, this remote interior circuit unveils postcard-worthy
vistas that rival those of well-trodden Laugavegurinn. Duration: three days
Wildlife Watching
Iceland's range of wildlife is small but bewitchingly beautiful.
Arctic Foxes
Loveable like a dog, but skittish like a rodent, the Arctic fox is Iceland's only native mam-
mal. A sighting is rare, but these are the best spots to try your luck:
Hornstrandir The fox's main domain - join the team of researchers who set up camp here
each summer.
Suðavík Home of the Arctic Fox Center - there are often orphaned foxes living in a small
habitat on-site.
Breiðamerkursandur One of the main breeding grounds for skuas, the area has drawn a
rising number of Arctic foxes hungry for a snack.
Puffins & Seabirds
On coastal cliffs right around the country you can see huge numbers of seabirds, often in
massive colonies. The best time for birdwatching is between June and mid-August, when
puffins, gannets, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars get twitchers excited.
The best bird cliffs and colonies:
Vestmannaeyjar Puffins swarm like frantic bees as you sail into the harbour at Heimaey.
Birds nest on virtually every turret of stone emerging from the southern sea.