Reykjavík Grapevine - jún. 2020, Blaðsíða 30

30The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 04— 2020Camping
A Tent, Some
Tots… And More
Alliterative Fun
You like campin!? We !ot campin!!
Words: The Grapevine Campin" Committee Photo: Art Bicnick
Who would’ve thought? COVID-19
has brought the 80s back. Yes, in-
stead of heading out to get sun-
burnt in Tenerife, summer 2020 is
seeing parents taking their kids out
for vacation in the countryside for
a bit of camping. We know some of
you are probably quite rusty in this
endeavors, so here are our favourite
Grapevine-approved family camp-
ing grounds.
!akgil
There are few ways to get closer
to God—if you be-
lieve in such fairy
tales—than visiting
!akgil. Close to Vík
í M#rdal, the camp-
site lies high in the
mountains between
t h e m o n s t r o u s
M#rdalsjökull and
the endless expanse
of M#rdalssandur.
The site has every
amenity you need
for a good camp,
including a beau-
tiful pass that leads up to a small
waterfall and a surround of steep
hills to block the wind—a rarity
for this godforsaken island. Plus,
there’s a natural cave where you can
sit and eat your barbecue like a true
barbarian Viking and the kids can
roam around safely. A truly magical
place for the family—you can’t go
wrong at !akgil. VG
Húsafell
Two hours away from Reykjavík,
this sleepy town has it all for the
intrepid outdoors. You like hiking?
They got hiking. You like camping?
They got camping. You like horse-
back riding? They got horseback
riding. Not to mention, golf, moun-
tain biking and a secret hot spring
in the mountains where you can
soak your tired bones after a long
day of hiking, mountain biking,
golfing and horse-
back riding (with
children). Wanna
cool the kids off
in the pool? Guess
what? They have a
pool! You want to
have a crappy va-
cation? Don’t go
to Húsafell! That’s
what Bor$eyri is
for. (We’re joking,
Bor$eyri is weird
and fun.) SPO
Ásbyrgi
To sleep in the hoof-print of a godly
six-legged horse (I’m telling you,
this one is no fairy tale) is pretty
much the best reason to camp at
Ásbyrgi in the northeast of Iceland.
If you are an Icelander, chances are
that you have been there at least
once with your parents, and while
you can barely remember it, you
can still viscerally feel the won-
derful memories. Well, nothing’s
changed. Sure, the forest is a bit
bigger, but the waterfall at the end
of the canyon is still otherworldly
and the echo from the steep cliffs
can still keep kids occupied for
hours. Just watch out for when they
start cursing and the cliffs echo it
all over the campsite like a foul-
mouthed troll is waking up and
everyone looks at you like you’re a
bad parent. Not that I can relate. My
kids would never act so feral. VG
Höf(avík
Located along the long, slender lake
of Lagarfljót in eastern Iceland, and
right next to Hallormssta$ur, the
island’s largest forest, the camp-
ing site at Höf$avík is an ideal spot
from which to experience the area.
With Lagarfljót’s waters right on
the campsite, the prospect of a din-
ner under the light of the midnight
sun on the lakeside picnic table (or
for the intrepid, a quick dip into its
chilly waters) beckons. And Hal-
lormssta$ur forest, easily visible
from the campsite (not a common
site in much of the country) offers
the prospect of excellent hikes
through forest paths under trees
of 85 different species. NB
Sey(isfjör(ur
In spite of its modest population
of 678, Sey$isfjör$ur can seem
like a vibrant, bustling metropolis
after days of wandering through
the Eastfjords. Boasting a well-
equipped and fully functioning
kitchen, its camping site, nestled
comfortably right in the centre of
town, makes for an ideal and af-
fordable overnight resting place,
as well as a base for enjoying the
village’s Instagram-famous Blue
Church, cute and colourful hous-
es, spectacular hilltop views, and
easily accessible waterfalls. NB
Pictured: Not our children
The best of Icelandic produce
with a nod to Japan and South
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flavours, share plates and award
winning cocktails.
Sushi Social
!ingholtsstræti 5 • 101 Reykjavík
Tel. 568 6600 • sushisocial.is
Our kitchen is open
17.00–23.00 sun.–thu.
17.00–24.00 fri.–sat.
SOCIALIZE
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ICELANDIC
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“You want to
have a crappy
vacation? Don’t
go to Húsafell!
That’s what
Bor!eyri is for
(we're joking,
Bor!eyri.)"