ICELAND IN A WEEK
Our flight from Madrid was scheduled at 23:25 but was 40 minutes delayed. We arrived in
Iceland past 2 am (Iceland time). We picked up the car we rented in advanced and drove for 40
minutes to the hotel in Reykjavik. We set directly to bed and sleep to gain forces.
Day 1 Reykiavik - Selfoss:
After a hearty breakfast in the hotel, we went to see Reykjavik. We strolled along Laugavegur,
the main street, we walked up to Harpa (concert and meeting hall) and up to Skolavordustigur
til Hallsgrinskirkja (Lutheran church). Just across the church, we had our relaxing cup of coffee
before getting the car, since we were setting for a few kilometres ahead.
We continue walking until where the car was parked, and headed for Thingvellir National Park
(40 km), where the first European Parliament was established and where tectonic drift that
separates Eurasean plates from North American is clearly seen. After a walk admiring the
landscape, we ate sandwiches and started a new route, this time to Kerid Crater. 45 km later
we reached the Kerid Crater, a volcanic crater with a lake inside, where we had to pay
“entrance” to descend to the lake.
Our next stop, 46 km away - the Geysir, the most famous geyser and one of the most
impressive examples of this phenomenon around the world. Since the beginning of the 21st
century, the ‘Great Geysir’ stopped spouting water. At present the biggest attraction is the
Strokkur, another geyser that spouts water every 5 minutes and can reach twenty meters into
the air.
Nearby, 9 km ahead was Gullfoss Waterfall, an amazing waterfall that blew us away. You cannot go to Iceland without visiting it.
After our recreation in Gullfoss Waterfall we set out for Selfoss (72km), where our hotel for
that night is situated.
Here is a link to a summary video of our first day in Iceland
https://youtu.be/DGmVaQYR2LE
Day 2 Selfoss - Höfn:
We've started our second day with a BIG breakfast in the hotel and we set for our journey to Seljalandfoss, 65 km away.
On our way, we've seen other waterfalls and some black sand beaches.
On our way, we've seen other waterfalls and some black sand beaches.
The main waterfall has a drop of almost 60 meters and you can actually walk behind it, but yes, wear a poncho or raincoat, you'll get wet for sure.
If you continue walking to the left, the third waterfall (Glufrafoss) you can "climb" a hill like in front to see it from the top or you can get in between big rocks to see it from inside, although in this case you will have to walk through water.
After seeing these spectacular waterfalls and having fun, we headed to Skaftafell National Park, which was 200 km away, although we did a few more kilometers as we turned towards the sea and stopped on a look-out point. Sitting on the grass on a hill we had our lunch, overlooking Kirkjufjara and Reynisfjara beaches.
When we get to Skatfafell National Park, it was lightly raining, with our ponchos on we started walking up with the intention of getting to Svartifoss. We've seen the Hundafoss waterfall, we walked back to the car, when we should have kept on going up to get to Svartifoss. What a mistake!
We drove 58 km in the direction of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon - blue waters dotted with icebergs.
After all of these, we went to the hotel, that night we're sleeping in Hofn.
Here is a link to a summary video of our second day in Iceland
https://youtu.be/EljBYniljU4
Day 3 - Höfn - Eastfjord
This day would be mostly driving, 215 km without any obligatory stop, although there are several landscapes to admire along the way to Eastfjord.
It was quite foggy, but we made several pull offs, one was near the coast with some remarkable views.
Once in Eastfjord, we walked around the village (a small fishing village) with beautiful colourful houses. And this is interesting, a seal swimming and hanging out the lake water right in front of our hotel room.
Here is a link to the video of our third day in Iceland.
https://youtu.be/PTyfeuzIbKs
When we get to Skatfafell National Park, it was lightly raining, with our ponchos on we started walking up with the intention of getting to Svartifoss. We've seen the Hundafoss waterfall, we walked back to the car, when we should have kept on going up to get to Svartifoss. What a mistake!
We drove 58 km in the direction of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon - blue waters dotted with icebergs.
After all of these, we went to the hotel, that night we're sleeping in Hofn.
Here is a link to a summary video of our second day in Iceland
https://youtu.be/EljBYniljU4
Day 3 - Höfn - Eastfjord
This day would be mostly driving, 215 km without any obligatory stop, although there are several landscapes to admire along the way to Eastfjord.
It was quite foggy, but we made several pull offs, one was near the coast with some remarkable views.
Once in Eastfjord, we walked around the village (a small fishing village) with beautiful colourful houses. And this is interesting, a seal swimming and hanging out the lake water right in front of our hotel room.
Here is a link to the video of our third day in Iceland.
https://youtu.be/PTyfeuzIbKs
Day 4 - Eastfjord - Husavik
On the fourth day, we've had a lot of things to do and see. As usual we've had a heavy breakfast and on the road again. Our first stop, the Dettifoss Waterfall.
After driving 213 kms, we've reached Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Europe, from the East, passing through unpaved road of 20 kms.
On the fourth day, we've had a lot of things to do and see. As usual we've had a heavy breakfast and on the road again. Our first stop, the Dettifoss Waterfall.
After driving 213 kms, we've reached Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Europe, from the East, passing through unpaved road of 20 kms.
From there, 60 km of distance, you'll reach Hverir, Grjotagja, the Myvatn Lake, Hverfjall and the nature baths of Myvatn.
Hverir is an area where you'll find sulphurous springs and bubbly mud pools scattered around the place, giving you the "Martian" feels. amazing site and smelly too.
Nearby, there is Lake Myvatn, a big, beautiful lake, dominated by volcanic landforms. It is the fourth largest in Iceland and fed by underground sources, hot and cold. Of course it's full of midges (Myvatn means lake of midges). We've tried to get closer to the waters of the lake but we had to turn our backs around before clouds the midges.
Our next stop was Grjotagja, they are lava caves formerly used as thermal baths, but now bathing is prohibited (water temperature rose to dangerous levels). As additional fact, this cave was used as a location for filming a scene in the Game of Thrones (you see, we are also fanatics of the series).
We went to Hverfjall after Grjotagja (again, these places are so close to each other). Hverfjall is a volvano that can be climbed by a path with a challenging slope. Once up ther, you ca walk around the edge and enjoy the views.
To end the day, we went to the natural baths of Myvatn, thermal baths similar to the famous Blue Lagoon, the entrance fee cost about 25 euros. Hot blue waters and sauna. Entering and exiting the water was agonizing but worth it. A very relaxing way to end the day. (In summer they close at midnight.)
We drove 56.5 kms to reach the hotel in Husavik.
Check out our 4th day summary video through this link:
Coming soon - the rest of the trip
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