Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.08.2018, Page 20

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Iceland 2018
20 BEST OF ICELAND 2018
South
Over volcanoes and under a glacier
Best Road Trip
Hveragerði to Höfn
Route One South
The south coast is an amusement park of natural wonders on a
grand scale. Every few minutes, there's a sign for a historic spot,
a canyon, a glacier tongue, a wild beach, a forgotten pool or a
coastal viewpoint. The scenery changes so rapidly and suddenly,
constantly disarming with wonderful and unexpected sights. “This
drive will forever leave me speechless,” said the panel. It always
looks different depending on the time of year and weather condi-
tions, so it's a genuinely beautiful drive no matter how many times
you do it. It would take years to explore every turn. As the panel
said: “It just never gets old.” Map square: F2-S1
Runner Up
Reykjanes Ring
Just a quick hop away from Reyk-
javík, it’s quite special to spend a day
exploring this peninsula. With scenic
geothermal areas, lush mossy lava
fields, lighthouses, basalt cliffs, and
breathtaking coastlines, it's a lot of
wonder squeezed into a very manage-
able day. Perfect for a traveller with
only one day to spare. Starts D2
Runner Up
Skaftafell to Höfn
Starting just after the Skaftafell National
Park, a breathtaking spot in its own
right, one is treated to jaw-dropping
views of the massive Vatnajökull glacier
out their car window. This entire stretch
is a testament to how glacial volcanoes
shape the ecology. At Höfn, look back
northwards to get another eyeful of the
icy behemoth. N2-S1
Best Sightseeing Tour
Helicopter over
Fjallabak region
Vatnajökull National Park
The endless colours of the Fjallabak re-
gion are best seen from a high vantage
point. Flying in either a helicopter or a
small plane, you'll witness the braided
glacial rivers, rich volcanic landscape
and intense glacial structures of
this stunning area that can't be fully
appreciated from the ground. Whilst it's
definitely not for the budget traveller,
there are various companies that
offer these flights and it is worth every
penny. J3
Runners Up
Inside The Volcano
After a short hike, descend into the
dormant Þríhnjúkagígar volcano and
witness a side of the earth one can
rarely experience. “There's something
bizarrely humbling and emotional about
standing in the Rothko-esque empty
belly of a volcano,” said one panellist
after seeing this natural wonder. D2
Westman Islands by boat
One can fly or take a ferry to Heimaey,
the largest of the Westman Islands, but
the best way to take in this island chain
is by hopping on a boat tour and weav-
ing through them all. Jagged sea cliffs,
volcanic isle formations, rich birdlife
and mysterious waters, the whole
adventure is visual poetry. H5
Best Action Tour
Eyjafjallajökull
Summit Tour
South coast
Whether you're travelling in a super
Jeep or riding solo on a snowmobile,
the experience of driving on a glacier
to the top of a volcano is simply incredi-
ble. “You can get all the way onto the
ice and see the glacier's absolutely vast
scope first hand, like visiting some kind
of mystical frozen sky island,” said one
panellist. Upon arriving to the summit,
you'll be greeted by a 360-degree
view over the highlands and out to the
Westman Islands. I4
Runners Up
Raufarhólshellir Lava Tube
Formed by an eruption over 5,000
years ago, this lava tube is just a short
drive out of Reykjavík and makes a
great adventure for both the novice
explorer and intrepid caver. The natural
landmarks formed inside the tunnel are
stunning and surprising reminders that
nature is an incredible artist. E2
Black beach by horseback
From the small and pleasantly mysteri-
ous town of Vík, taking a ride along its
famous black shores on a mighty steed
doesn’t get much better. The unique
and delightful demeanour of the Ice-
landic horse is so easy to connect with
and provides sanctuary to take in the
foreboding coastline and bold basalt
columns. K5
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