Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2023, Qupperneq 35

35
Th
e R
ey
kj
av
ík
G
ra
pe
vi
ne
Be
st
o
f R
ey
kj
av
ík
20
236 years in a row
laugarásvegur 1
104, reykjavík
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Best2023_hlidarbordi.pdf 1 6.6.2023 14:53
Best Day Trip
The Reykjanes Route
Reykjanes Peninsula
This sample platter of Iceland’s offerings got kicked up a notch with recent
volcanic activity (you may have heard about the eruptions at Geldingadalir and
Meradalir in 2021 and 2022, respectively). This quick drive takes you on a route
along the sweeping blue lake of Kleifarvatn. It takes you past charming ruins,
geothermal hot springs, beautiful rock formations, snowy peaks and, yes,
the occasional jets of spurting magma (N.B. no volcanoes are erupting at the
moment).
Runners-up
Sólheimajökull
At only 100 miles (160 km) from
Reykjavík, this is one of the two
glaciers closest to our bustling
metropolis and a favorite among
the locals. An imposing sight,
Sólheimajökull’s popularity is
helped by it being one of the most
accessible glaciers, as it’s both fairly
easy to find and to scale the side.
That being said, we recommend that
you go with experienced guides to
avoid being put in cold storage in
a glacial crevice until Katla finally
erupts through the ice cover, sending
you flying back to Reykjavík.
Hellisgerði
Hellisgata 3 (Hafnarfjördur)
This tiny enchanted rock garden 20
minutes from downtown Reykjavík
is the perfect place to zen out on a
sunny day. With a café, small pond
and moss-covered lava rocks, they
have taken care not to curtail the
savage charm of Hafnarfjörður’s lava
fields. And it’s probably for the best,
since the rocks there are said to be
home to the hidden people (known as
elves to the normos).
Previous Winners
2022: Geldingadalir Volcano (RIP)
2021: Geldingadalir Volcano (RIP)
2020: Reykjanes
Best Summer Hike
Glymur Waterfall
Hvalfjörður
After a scenic drive to the end of
Hvalfjörður, you arrive at the foot of
Iceland’s second-highest waterfall,
with its nearly 200 meter drop.
Not only is the hiking route easily
accessible, but it takes you up a
varied landscape, darting through
shrubbery, along cliff sides, through
a small cave, and you can even cross
the river right above the drop on
the return (if you are not afraid of
meeting Óðinn a little early). Overall,
it’s a relatively easy hike but with a
couple of spots that hoist it up to
moderate difficulty.
Runners-up
Reykjadalur
Hveragerði
This is the one you’ve no doubt
caught on Instagram. People bathing
in a geothermal river in the Icelandic
wilderness. Of course, what’s missing
is all the other people snapping up
pictures, but the 2-3 hour round
trip and 347 metre elevation does
deter some tourists, so the crowding
doesn’t get too bad outside of peak
tourist season. Even if you forgot
to pack a bathing suit (or feel some
kind of way about changing behind
a simple wooden divider), the views
and fresh air are still well worth the
hike.
Esjan
Kjalarnes
This is Reykjavík’s mountain, more
or less. It’s the one we see when we
cycle to work, when we ditch school,
when we drive to that out-of-town
wedding, when we hit rock bottom
arguing with a cormorant at the
marina. It’s always there in the
distance like…well…a rock. It’s also
one of the most popular hiking routes
in the country for good reason and
barely needs mentioning.
Previous Winners
2022: Volcano lava field
2021: Akrafjall
2020: Esjan
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2023
Activities
Doing stuff is great!