Iceland review - 2013, Side 108

106 ICELAND REVIEW
travel
There’s a reason why the drive along the southern coast of Ice-
land is on the to-do lists of most tourists who visit the country.
The views are diverse and stunning, from the geothermal area
on Hellisheiði mountain pass, to grazing horses in the peaceful
countryside, the gleaming Eyjafjallajökull glacier, majestic water-
falls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, magnificent arch of Dyrhólaey
promontory, striking black beaches of Reynisfjara and eerie sea
stacks Reynisdrangar. Not to mention the otherworldly floating
icebergs of Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. The massive icecap of
Vatnajökull—the largest glacier in Europe—looms over Höfn, and
glacial tours, be it by foot, ski-doo, jeep or helicopter, are not to
be missed. Also, tours to the glacier’s elusive ice caves are quickly
becoming a new hype. In the height of summer, bird lovers flock
to nature reserves Dyrhólaey and Ingólfshöfði, fend off attacks
from the aggressive great skuas—the region’s emblem bird—and
admire the industrious puffins as they dive from their burrows in
the cliffs to fetch fish for their young.
That’s not all. Away from the shore lie the region’s most-visited
attractions, including the famous Golden Circle tour. At Þing vellir
National Park, you’ll find the site where Iceland’s parliament was
founded in 930 AD, Almannagjá that separates the Eurasian and
North American continental plates and the crystal clear lake Sil-
fra, a huge hit among divers. Further along lies the geothermal
area with the erupting hot spring Geysir, after which all other
geysers are named; its little brother Strokkur entertains visitors
by spurting hot water into the air at approximately ten-minute in-
tervals. Close by is the ‘Queen of Iceland’s Waterfalls,’ Gullfoss, a
breathtaking cascade of 32 m (105 ft). The Golden Circle tour can
also be extended to include Lake Laugarvatn with Fontana Geo-
thermal Baths and a view of Hekla volcano, ancient bishopric Skál-
holt, crater lake Kerið and greenhouse and horse farm Friðheimar.
In the southern highlands you’ll find the colorful geothermal area
Landmannalaugar with its natural pools, frequented by hikers
headed for the Laugavegur route. The landscape changes dra-
matically during the four-day trek, from rhyolite mountains, to a
placid highland lake and the green forested valley of Þórsmörk
with a view of the glaciers Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. The
close proximity to nature is just one of the reasons people visit
South Iceland; the region is also becoming a hot spot for culture
tourism. The Icelandic Saga Center at Hvolsvöllur is dedicated to
Njáls saga, offering tours to the sites where the saga is set.
All roads lead to South Iceland. Apart from the Ring Road, the
region is accessible by Suðurstrandavegur, along the coast from
Reykjanes peninsula, through Þingvellir National Park and from
the highlands. It only takes 30 minutes to travel by ferry from
Landeyjahöfn to the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago and 50 minutes
to take the plane from Reykjavík to Höfn. There’s always some-
thing to see and do in South Iceland in summer and winter—the
northern lights are only visible in the dark season—so indulge
yourself and start planning your trip.
south.is; winterwonderland.is

greAt southern lAnd
South iceland has everything tourists might hope to
experience: glaciers, waterfalls, hot springs, volcanoes,
highlands, northern lights and saga sites.