Atlantica - 01.06.2001, Side 48

Hidden Places
Sprengisandur - Central Highlands
This is the largest black sand desert in Iceland. Directly translated,
Sprengisandur means ‘explosive sand’. It’s hard to deduce how this name came
about, but we do know that this stretch was once a busy thoroughfare for peo-
ple travelling between the north and the south. As travel alternatives were cre-
ated, the Sprengisandur route fell out of usage. This is quite difficult terrain, with
rivers to cross, and even with the best of today’s 4WD power at your fingertips,
it’s a tough drive. But when you reach Sprengisandur, it’s worthwhile stopping to
sense the vast emptiness here.
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