Iceland Things to Do Tips by JLBG Top 5 Page for this destination

Arriving at Dettifos

Under ''Must see activities'', I have put the beginning of the trip, including Dettifoss, Asbyrgi, Kelduhverfi, Husavik, Ljösavatn, Godafoss, Myvatn. This the North-East part of Iceland, beginning in Seydisfjordur.

In early July, the flow of the Jokulsa river is at it's peak. The sound is incredible !

Closer to Dettifos

On in the Jökulsa a Fjöllum river, most impressive Dettifos is Europe's largest waterfall. It drops 44 meters (144 feet) into a long canyon. There is a spray of water one hundred meter away from the waterfall and a thunderous sound heard at least 1 kilometer away. You have better have waterproof clothes, otherwise, you will be rapidly soaked!

Jökulsa river

Downstream to Dettifos, Jökulsa river is very calm. You would never believe that the water has performed such a high jump into the into Jökulsargljüfür canyon! I have read that it was possible to canoe on the lower Jökulsa river but I have seen anybody doing it.

Asbyrgi : Odin's shoe

In the national park of Jökulsargljufur, Asbyrgi is a valley lined by vertical cliffs and forked, so that it has roughly the shape of a horseshoe. In the Viking mythology, according to Egil’s Saga it is a footmark of Sleippnir, Odin's eight-hoofed horse.

Kelduhverfi. One of 1975's faults

During the winter of 1975-76 this area was hit by several main earthquakes, which altered the landscapes. Here one of the faults is shown. The photography was taken in 1979 and it had not much changed in 3 years. It would be interesting to see how it is looking now!

Kelduhverfi. Another 1975's fault

In Kelduhverfi, there are a myriad of recent faults, rifts and dislocations of the earth's crust, created during the tectonic period 1975-84. Two fault systems cross the Kelduhverfi County, the Theistareykir system and the Krafla system. The fault shawn here is a small but spectacular.

Near Kelduhverfi

Near Kelduhverfi, an inhabited area. Very close to a house, a tree has grown to an unusual height for Iceland as it was protected from the strong northern winds by the house. We can bet it will never grow neither higher than the top of the roof nor larger than the house itself !

The sea, near Kelduhverfi

Kelduhverfi is situated between the Tjörnes peninsula and Öxafjord County. Here, the coast is shown. The beach is made of volcanic ashes, which gives it a dark color. The strong currents of the ocean have built a narrow peninsula at the mouth of this little stream.

Fishing boat at Hüsavik

For a longtime, fishing has been the main activity in Hüsavik. The harbour is not very large but well protected. The industry of fish preservation has now taken a main importance as it allows exporting the fish. Recently, fish farms have been installed in the bay.

Traditionnal cod drying

For centuries, cod used to be dried in the open, on windy places. In Iceland as well as in Norway, this has long been a part of the countryside. Gulls used to feed on these facilities and to take their toll. Now this type of facility is less and less in use.