Reykjavík Grapevine - 04.05.2007, Side 42

6_REYKJAVÍK_GRAPEVINE_ISSUE 05_007_TRAVEL/DAY TRIPS
Distance from Reykjavík ca. 110 km
On the way back to the capital a short de-
tour up to Mt. Hekla comes highly recom-
mended. This dignified and scenic 40 km
long stratovolcano is one of Iceland’s most
famous landmarks, towering above the
Þjórsárdalur valley.
Hekla is among the world’s most active
volcanoes. Over the past 1000 years Hekla
has had about 15 major eruptions and more
than 150 smaller ones. The volcano has
erupted five times in the 20th century, most
recently in February 2000. Early settlers in
Iceland understandably feared this fright-
ening fire-spouting mountain and believed
Hekla to be the gateway to Hell.
On May 5 a new geo-historical mu-
seum, the Hekla Centre, will be opened at
the farm Leirubakki, situated at the foot of
the mountain. By using the latest technol-
ogy, the permanent exhibition centres on
the volcano’s history and the effects it has
had on the country’s inhabitants for more
than 1000 years and will undoubtedly be
extremely educational to those interested in
volcanism.
The Hekla Centre will also feature art
exhibitions, host conferences and meetings
and house a nice restaurant with an incredi-
ble view. With the star attraction nestling in
the background, a better location for such a
centre would be hard to find.
Mt. Hekla
Distance from Reykjavík ca. 180 km
Dyrhólaey, a long preserved promontory
stretching from the coast and out into the
ocean, is the southernmost part of Iceland.
Surrounded by black sand beaches and green
meadows, this 120 metre high precipice was
created by an eruption thousands of years
ago.
Walking to the tip of the promontory
offers an amazingly scenic view in all direc-
tions. On one side there’s the North Atlantic
and on the other is the Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
On a clear day you can even spot the Vest-
mannaeyjar (Westman Islands) far away. The
promontory is also rich with incredible birdlife
and attracts bird watching enthusiasts all year
round. Various species of seabirds including
puffins and seagulls nest in the cliffs as well
as in the large rock pillars, named Dyrhólad-
rangar, a little further out in the ocean.
On the southernmost part of Dyrhólaey,
the ocean has shaped a hole in the rock
that looks like a gate or a curved door. From
this peculiar formation, Dyrhólaey draws its
name, literally meaning Door-hill-island (al-
though it isn’t really an island). If the ocean is
calm, small boats can sail through the door.
If, after exploring Dyrhólaey, you’re look-
ing for refreshments or accommodation, the
nearest town is Vík í Mýrdal, a small coastal
village surrounded by spectacular natural
beauty. To name just one option for recre-
ation, a short but bumpy drive leads to Þakgil,
or ‘roof canyon’, a large cave that has been
renovated into a fine eating spot, providing
long dining tables and even a barbecue grill.
Just bring the food and dishes and enjoy your
meal out in the wilderness.
Dyrhólaey and Vík í Mýrdal
Distance from Reykjavík ca. 155 km
If you continue driving east along the ring
road, you will soon notice another one of
Iceland’s remarkable waterfalls, Skógarfoss,
which falls down some 60 metres into the
river Skógá, and is the main appeal for photo-
enthusiasts arriving at Skógar.
Located south of the Eyjafjallajökull gla-
cier, with the Eyjafjöll Mountains hovering
in the background, Skógar is a wide grassy
stretch boasting incredible natural beauty, a
modern hotel, church, several reconstructed
turf farmhouses and historic buildings as well
as a unique folk museum.
The museum itself is located in a large
building across from the farmhouses and fea-
tures an interesting exhibition all year round.
Established by Þórður Tómasson in 1949, the
museum’s general concept is to introduce Ice-
landic society to interested visitors. It gives an
insight into the way the country slowly de-
veloped into a growing community and edu-
cates visitors about the everyday life of farm-
ers and fishermen in the country by displaying
artefacts, tools, clothes and household items
which Tómasson has collected over the years
or which have been donated to the museum.
The exhibition is divided into several sec-
tions, each emphasising a specific period in
the country’s history. These priceless items
include an 18th-century fishing boat, and a
haymaking tool. In 2002 a new exhibition
space, dedicated to developments in technol-
ogy and transportation in the 19th and 20th
century, was added to the museum.
Skógar also has a nice camping site, lo-
cated only metres away from Skógarfoss. The
site gets quite crowded during summer, at-
tracting weary travellers who want nothing
more than to be lulled to sleep by the calming
sound of the waterfall.
Skógar
Distance from Reykjavík ca. 150 km
When driving along the south coast of the
country, admirable sights that will fill your
camera’s memory card pretty quickly are only
minutes apart, making the region a popular
day-trip destination. Numerous impressive
waterfalls, steep mountains, glacial rivers,
hot springs and historic tourist attractions
are characteristic of the area, providing the
traveller with endless activities and diverse
hiking trails.
After passing through small towns and
loading your car with some food and bever-
ages, it would be ideal to make a lunch stop-
over next to Seljalandsfoss, a spectacular wa-
terfall that drops 60 metres over a large cliff
in the Eyjafjöll Mountains.
Seljalandsfoss has a distinctive feature,
which makes it among the country’s most
photographed waterfalls. It is possible to
walk behind it without getting soaking wet,
if careful that is, and capture unusual im-
ages from the other side. These shots will
undoubtedly spruce up the photo album,
which by now is probably filled with pictures
of Iceland’s countless cascades. You don’t
have to worry about falling in the stream, a
marked footpath leads all the way.
After photographing Seljalandsfoss from
all sides, it’s time to drive to the next interest-
ing spot, Paradísarhellir (Paradise Cave), only
minutes away. The cave is one of Iceland’s
most noted ones, not due to its size (it’s only
five metres long and three metres wide) but
for being a refuge for the outlaw Hjalti Mag-
nússon in the 16th century. You will need to
climb eight metres up a rope to reach the
cave’s entrance, so you’ll better not be scared
of heights.
Seljalandsfoss
A Day Trip to the South Coast
Car provided by Hertz, Tel.: 522 4400
Text by Steinunn Jakobsdóttir Photos by Skari