Iceland Things to Do Tips by Redang

Ásbyrgi-The Jökulsárgljúfur National Park

This is a fantastic site not to be missed, at least from my point of view. This is a 3,5 kms. long canyon with walls up to 100 metres high. In the middle of it, "The Island" (Eyjan), a freestanding rock (second pic).

It is said (the mythology actually), that Wodan/Odin the pagan god, was riding his eight legged horse (Sleipnir), and it put one leg to create that hoof.

Back in Ásbyrgi, there are two possibilities: Take road #864 to Dettifoss (bad gravel road) or drive back a bit along road #85, the one we drove from Húsavík, and then, on the left, road #F862 to Dettifoss too but along the other bank of the Jökulsá river (F### means just for 4x4 vehicles).

I took the second option, but don't worry, I did visit Dettifoss; another must of Iceland.

Going East (3/3)

Finally, I arrived in Neskaupsatður, the last town I visited in the east fjords; it was the end of the road anyway.

The last 16 kms. from Eskifjörður were along a fantastic scenary and crossing a tunnel of more than 700 m. long. It was very foggy when I left the tunnel and I hardly could see the road.

I spent the night there, at Hótel Edda (see the tip on this chain). The hotel was good, and the view of the fjord Norðfjörður from the romm was amazing!

In total, Egilsstaðir to Neskaupstaður: 61 kms.

* Some websites:
- www.fjardabyggd.is/Index/English
- www.east.is/EastIceland/Destinations

* And the link of the Hótel Edda

* Another hotel with bar for a drink:
www.egilsbud.is

Goðafoss

Once I visited Húsavík and Ásbyrgi, I returned along the same road (#85) to join again N1. From this junction, there are about 4 kilometres to Goðafoss, the first fall (foss in icelandic) I saw in Iceland.

History says that when Þorgeir, chieftain of the Ljósavatn district, after deciding to adopt the Christian faith, threw his statues of the pagan gods into the waterfall. Goðafoss means waterfall of the gods.

The fall is 12 m. high and 30 m. wide, and it belongs to Skjálfandafljót river.

It's really easy to find the fall since it's seen even from the road, on your right.

At just a few metres, there is a restaurant called Restaurant Fosshóll where, while having lunch/dinner/snack/coffee, you can enjoy the fall (last pic).

And some 11 kms. before the fall and about 7 kms. before the junction of roads N1 and #85, Hotel EDDA has an excellent venue: EDDA Storutjarnir, surrounded by a great landscape and lake (see the Accommodation tips

* Interesting link.

Lava, lava, lava...

After visiting the wonderfull Dettifoss, there are two possibilities: Keep driving road 964 north to Asbyrgi (visited previously), or go back along the mentioned road to N1.

Then, go to Egilsstaðir. It's a long long way crossing a fantastic lava field. Maybe you could think that the landscape would be boring after a while seeing the same scenary, but not at all, at least for me, it was amazing!

Note: Be sure to have the tank full, there is nothing in between. So, take the fuel in Reykjahlíd ("some tips ago").

Hvítserkur

Back on road N1, drive about 91 kms. to a town called Hrísar. From now on, we are in North Iceland. Then, take road #711 (on your left). Keep driving this road for about 25-30 kms. and always following the signs saying Hvíserkur. You will reach a car park. Then, walk down the hill (not steep, don’t be afraid) along a marked path. You will see below that “funny” rock that looks like a camel or a donkey drinking water from the sea, and the black sandy beach. This rock is 15 high, and it’s situated just a few metres from the shore. Some parts of the rock are white because of the excrements of birds.

Driving the South

After sailing Jökulsarlón, I drove along road N1, again, westound and I saw, some 100 kms. later, another beautiful fall, although compared to the others, it was "ugly" (main pic). The town is called Kirkjubæjarklaustur, and the name of the fall, Foss á Síðu. But I'd like to attract your attention. Look carefully at the pic, it was very green, right?

Look at the second pic, it was taken from the road, just four minute later, impressive the contrast, don't you thing so?

Then, after some 70 kms., I arrived in Vík (third pic), where I saw these three rocks (fourth pic) called Reynisdrangur and the black sandy beach (last pic). The highest rpck is 66 m. above the ocean level, and all three have their own name: Skessudrangar, Landdrangar and Langhamrar.

Back to Reykjavík

This is the end of the trip. Þingvellir was the last place I visited before going back to Reykjavík. It has been a fantastic trip, plenty of contrasts all over the island. Nature everywhere at its best.

I didn't go to the west fjords because I didn't have more time, but I consider that I have visited the most important places and I came back home very happy. Maybe I'll go to Iceland again and maybe in Winter to enjoy the Northern Lights, who knows!

In short: Surprising Iceland!.

The Golden Circle (4/4): Þingvellir National Park

This is the third spot of the Golden Circle, and the last one of my whole trip.

From Gullfoss, drive back along road #35, then road #37 on your right to Laugarvatn (23 kms.). Once there, take road #365 for 16 kms., and you will see lake Þingvallavatn in front of you. Take road #36 on your right, and just follow the signs untill you reach Þingvellir National Park, where the first Parliamnet was stablished in Iceland.

- Fax: (+354) 482 36 35

Other Contact: E mail: thingvellir@thingvellir.

Phone: (+354) 482 26 00

Website: http://www.thingvellir.is

The Golden Circle (3/4): Gullfoss

Leave Geysir and keep driving road #35. You will see it even from the road itself.

Another amazing fall. Gullfoss (Golden Falls) belongs to the Hvitá river. It's diveded into, let's say, two "steps" /11 and 21 m.) which makes it different to the others.

For more pics, visit the Travelogue called Gullfoss

Website: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullfoss

The Golden Circle (2/4): Geysir Center

On the other side of the road, there is a complex with a hotel, gas station, shop, restaurant and amultimedia show explaining eruptions, northern lights, earthquakes...

- Fax: (+354) 480 68 01

Other Contact: E mail: geysir@geysircenter.is

Phone: (+354) 480 68 00

Website: http://www.geysircenter.is