Reykjavík Grapevine - 19.07.2019, Qupperneq 51

Island Life
News From The Icelandic Countryside SPECIAL: All Animal News Edition
Words: Andie Fontaine
Good news for seal enthu-
siasts: the harbour seal
population in East Iceland
is on the rise. The
largest colony can be
found around Jökulsá,
with their numbers
increasing from
249 in 2011 to
303 today.
Scientists
are excited
about these
new figures,
and advise
a “look, don’t
touch” policy
for those who
stumble upon seals
in the wild.
Speaking of animal sightings,
blue whales have been
spotted cavorting in
Breiðafjörður. This
species of whale
is not common to
Iceland, making
this an
exceptional
find. Book
a whale
watching tour
departing
from
Snæfellsnes
today.
A dog was rescued from a lava crater measuring five to six metres deep in
a summer cottage area near Þingvellir. Ten rescue workers were involved in
the operation, and were able to retrieve the dog with only minor injuries.
51The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 12— 2019
South: Best Hike
Fimmvörðuháls
One of the more challenging day-
hikes in Iceland, this 25km route
is worth it for the diverse riches
you’ll see along the way. The trail
starts at the foot of Skógafoss, pass-
ing countless Highland waterfalls
on the way to its 1,000m apex. You
cross between the Eyjafjallajökull
and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers, pass-
ing the still-steaming site of a 2010
eruption. Finally, you’ll descend
into the dreamy Þórsmörk valley.
Westfjords: Best Pool
Krossneslaug
Straight up the road from Djúpavík,
this old-school bathing spot is quite
literally where the road ends. Sand-
wiched between the mountains and
the sea, it offers a wild and posi-
tively sublime pool experience. “By
the time you make it there on that
rough road you’re exhausted, and
jumping in the pool is that much
more rewarding,” said the panel.
“Those views out to the sea from the
edge of the pool are just incredible.”
West: Best Café
Gilbakki Kaffihús
Don’t pass through Hellissandur
without dropping in on your grand-
ma. Okay, so maybe not your actual
grandma—but we imagine she’d
be right at home in this comfort-
able café. “I love the cosiness of the
place,” said one panellist. “Enjoy a
piece of cake with your coffee.” An-
other panellist called Gilbakki the
perfect place to while away a sum-
mer day, enjoying the view of the
glacier.
Best Of Iceland
A selection of winners from our Best Of Iceland travel magazine
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