Iceland review - 2014, Page 25

ICELAND REVIEW 23
Every Icelander knows what Öræfi means: an uninhabited wilder-
ness, wasteland. Nonetheless, people have been living in the
region since Iceland was settled more than 1,100 years ago.
But life has not always been easy for those living close to
Öræfajökull glacier, the largest volcano in Iceland, which
twice has erupted explosively in historical times. The first
eruption took place in the year 1362. Ash covered the area
leaving it uninhabited for almost half a century. The sec-
ond, and somewhat smaller, eruption occurred in 1727.
Öræfi was the last region to get road connection to the
rest of the country. Big glacial rivers on both sides of
the area were not bridged until 1974, thereby closing
the final gap on Ring Road 1, which circles Iceland.
With the gateway to Vatnajökull National Park,
Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, ice caves to
explore, and endless black beaches, today, 40
years later, Öræfi is Iceland at its best and is only
four hours’ drive east of Reykjavík.

Öræfi