Reykjavík Grapevine - nóv. 2019, Blaðsíða 29

Reykjavík Grapevine - nóv. 2019, Blaðsíða 29
Th e Re yk ja ví k G ra pe vi ne Be st o f I ce la nd 2 01 9 29 Must-See Spot Flatey Breiðafjörður During the summer months, Flatey is the embodiment of the season—all wildflow- ers and ocean breezes. But it’s well worth a visit during the winter, if you’re looking to truly get away from it all. Drive to Styk- kishólmur—a gem of the West in itself— and catch the ferry out onto Breiðafjörður to spend a day among Flatey island’s col- ourful houses, impossibly green grass and undeniable charm—and puffins. Said one panellist: “It’s a magical place.” A10 Runners Up Snæfellsjökull Snæfellsnes All of Iceland’s glaciers are magnificent, but Snæfellsjökull is something else. It glows. It beckons you to gaze upon its majesty. You cannot say you’ve been to West Iceland unless you’ve basked in its glory, or, better still, booked a tour to the top of the glis- tening leviathan to explore it up close. B12 Arnarstapi & Hellnar Útnesvegur, Snæfellsnes These two coastal villages are just a stone’s throw from one another—a 6-minute drive, or an hour-long stroll—and both come recommended by our panel as places to sit and watch the sea life as the sun sets. Fly over to Arnarstapi for seabirds, or roll down to Hellnar to try and spot seals. B12 Best Hike Glymur Botnsdalur valley, Hvalfjörður If you want a hike to brag about, try Glymur. Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall, Glymur plummets 198m, and it is a real gem of the oft-overlooked or bypassed Hvalfjörður. Be warned—it’s no stroll in the park and can potentially be dangerous in the winter. The hike is a four-hour round trip on uneven ter- rain, and requires a stream crossing. Sturdy hiking boots and a decent level of physical fitness are required, but the payoff is, as our panel puts it, “Breathtaking!” F14 Runners Up Arnarstapi to Hellnar Snæfellsnes If you need to stretch your legs on a Snæfellsnes road trip, this is a no-brainer. It’s an easy coastal walk that takes around 50 minutes (one way); in exchange for your minimal effort, you’ll see crashing waves, lively bird cliffs, lush valleys and possibly a playful seal or two. B12 Hafnarfjall Borgarnes This trek up a volcano isn’t for beginners, but, as the panel exclaimed, “Oh my, those views!” Your hike begins near the base of the bridge running across the fjord from Borgarnes, and will take you to a height of 844m. It can be windy, so check the fore- cast before lacing up your boots. E13 BEST OF ICELAND 2019 West Go West, in the open air Best Tour Snæfellsjökull Glacier Tour Various providers, Snæfellsnes National Park The Snæfellsjökull glacier is a staggering 1,446m high, crowning the tip of Snæfellsnes. Many would be happy just gazing up at its icy form—but then you’d be missing out on the best tour in the West. There are a couple of ways to summit Snæfellsjökull. 3-5 hour tours will deliver you to the highest accessible point in a snowcat, with the option of skiing back down; other tours allow you to conquer the glacier on foot. Map square: B12 Runner Up Víðgelmir Cave Fljótstunga The West is riddled with caves, but you’ll need a guide to safely explore them. One cave with regular guided tours is Víðgelmir. The tour brings you into the heart of the largest lava cave in Iceland, to explore the lava formations therein and gape at the earth’s power. G12 Runner Up Into the Glacier Langjökull, leaving from Húsafell So, you’ve seen glaciers in the distance— but have you been inside one? Into the Gla- cier is a tour that gives you the opportunity to do just that, via a man-made tunnel into Langjökull. It’s a fascinating glimpse at the lifespan of the ice giant, with history lit- erally frozen into the tunnel’s walls. H13 Book these recommended tours and more at
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