Reykjavík Grapevine - jún. 2020, Blaðsíða 13

13 The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 04— 2020
E"st
To start with, our favourite car game in
the East is called “Count The Rein-
deer.” On a recent road trip, we got up to
600. Can you beat our record?
Hallormssta"askógur: A lakeside
forest filled with gushing streams, tucked
away cabins, the lovely Lake Lagarfljót
and the picturesque Atlavík camping
ground. Count us in.
Jökuldalur: C’mon do we even have
to recommend going to the Stu!lagil
canyon? That emerald green water?
Those imposing basalt columns? Are
you serious? Here’s a pro-tip: Bring your
LARPing gear to really get the feel of the
place. Afterwards, take the one-hour
drive to the Vök Geothermal Spa for some
luxurious luxury. Maybe leave the LARP-
ing gear in the car, though.
Egilssta"ir: Vegans will rejoice at
Sláturhúsi!, a converted old slaughter-
house which is now an art house featur-
ing exhibitions, music studios, artist
apartments and more. Then, next door
lies Tehúsi!, a teahouse complete with
vegan treats. The vegan dream is alive
and well in Egilssta!ir.
Sey"isfjör"ur: LungA Festival is
cancelled for 2020, but we’ve still got
to mention our favourite countryside
arts festival. We’re already pre-gaming
for 2021. Drown your sorrows with Nor!
Austur’s tasting menu before getting
shitfaced at the Reykjavík transplant
Sirkus.
North
Hjalteyri: This town has it all. Have
a soak in their coastal hot tub before
exploring whatever eccentric exhibi-
tion is on at the Verksmi!jan Á Hjalteyri
gallery. For an adventure, grab your SUP
board and meet some whales in the fjörd.
Then it’s back to the hot tub.
Langanes: Barely anyone lives on this
remote peninsula. It’s the perfect spot
for a pensive road trip filled with puffins,
gannets and guillemots. You’ll even find
a ghost town: Skálar!
Sau"árkrókur: You never thought
anyone would tell you to stop here, right?
Well if you’re passing through, don’t
miss the 1238 Museum, a virtual and
augmented reality museum where you
get to relive the Sturlung era and slaugh-
ter losers.
M#vatn: The M"vatn Geothermal Baths
are popular for a reason. Try to go outside
of peak-hours so you can have the pool to
yourself.
Arctic Coastal Highway: The most
underrated drive in all of Iceland. Go
north on Highway 82 outside of Akureyri
and do the loop through Dalvík, Ólafs-
fjör!ur and Siglufjör!ur, ending at the
Hofsós pool. Put on atmospheric music,
ponder your own existence, try not to
jump into the Atlantic to join the selk-
ies, and stuff your face with chocolate
at the Frida Chocolate Coffeehouse in
Siglufjör!ur. Then write poetry.
Forvö": Why don’t we talk about this
uninhabited and isolated area more
often? Take a few days here to see Detti-
foss—which is to Gullfoss what a lion is to
a cat—the unreal Ásbyrgi canyon, and,
you know, other cool stuff.
way to go to see a black sand beach. It’s a
weird mix between feeling like the Fast &
The Furious and a meditative yogi that’ll
really get you in touch with the Mother
Atlantic. Pro-tip: Make sure to pick a tour
that stops at the DC3 plane wreck. Do
not miss this chance to see it without the
Instagram crowd.
Westman Islands: Of course, the West-
man Islands are always a nice day trip
for a walk about, but while you’re there,
block out an hour or two for the Eldhei-
mar museum, which is potentially the
most exciting one in the country. Make a
reservation at Slippurinn for a late lunch
you’ll never forget.
!órsmörk: One, if you’re going to hike
up #órsmörk, do it on the solstice. That’s
spiritual af. Second, as you’re getting
up to #órsmörk, driving on the road past
Seljalandsfoss, don’t stop there and keep
going, it’ll eventually turn into a gravel
path that’ll bring you into a 10-year-old
glacial flood plane. There, commune with
the rocks. After you’re done investigat-
ing, drive past the Eyjafjallajökull water-
falls on the path until you get to a series
of lesser-known and even unnamed
waterfalls. Many are close enough to
walk to, so mosey over, stand in the spray,
get naked, go swimming, and become
friends with your new waterfall. Then, tell
these new friendly waterfalls about the
Reykjavík Grapevine.
Highl"nds
Obviously you need a 4x4 car to
traverse the F-Roads of the Highlands.
Our recommendation? Step it up and get
a 4x4 camper van for the journey.
Askja: First off, you’ve got the Holuhraun
lava field, best known for its recent erup-
tion as well as its raw beauty. Next, you’ve
got the Askja caldera, which overlooks
the milky Víti lagoon. Last up? Drekagil—
”Dragon Gorge”—full of dark and spooky
rock formations that feels very ‘Game Of
Thrones’. Name a more iconic trio. Pro-
tip: Do the hike from Askja to Drekagil.
Yes, it’s seven hours, but it’s worth it.
Hvannalindir: Fjalla-Eyvindur was
Iceland’s most famous outlaw, who fled
into the Highlands in 1760 with his outlaw
wife Halla. They settled in Hveravellir
and, though they are dead now (SAD!),
you can explore their old hut and cave,
called Eyvindarhellir, as well as Eyvindar-
hver, the hot spring dedicated to them .
The whole area feels like an oasis. You
can also sometimes see desert flowers.
Hveradalir: If you thought the Seltún
geothermal area was nice, the Hverad-
alir geothermal valley will blow your
fucking mind. Get ready to travel through
a bubbling sulfur-infused cloud of bright
yellow, earthy red, mouldy powder blue
and vivid emerald green as you traverse
the dusty landscape. Stay at the Kerlin-
garfjöll Mountain Resort for extra luxury.
Fri"land a" Fjallabaki: Landmannal-
augar… need we (pardon my French) say
any fucking more?
South
North
E"stHighl"nds