Ölfus has a black sand beach that stretches from Þorlákshöfn to Ölfusá river. A long walk on the beach surrounded by black sand and lyme grass is the perfect way to unwind from the day to day stress. The beach is also a popular surfing spot…
There are many caves in the lava fields in Ölfus and the largest being Raufarhólshellir. A journey into Raufarhólshellir is a unique experience and a great opportunity to witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption which occurred about…
A unique waterfall in the river Seljalandsá. It is 60 meters high with a foot path behind it at the bottom of the cliff, but with a thin cascade. The waterfall is very picturesque and therefore its photo can be found in many books and…
In 1783, a huge lava flow streamed from Lakagígar in what became known as the “Skaftá Fires”-eruption. This is believed to have been one of the greatest lava flows in a single eruption in the history of the world.
Skagás is a beautiful grove in serene surroundings. It’s easily accessible and open for everyone but please take care not to leave any litter behind. Barbequing is allowed only in a specially designated area.
The 60 m. high Skógafoss waterfall has a legend of a buried treasure from the age of the viking settlers. The settler Þrasi is believed to have buried his chest of gold somewhere under the Skógafoss Waterfall.
The cave was formed at a latter glacial period by sea erosion. Sea levels have been higher than now several times and signs of sea erosion can be seen on more cliffs in the area, which are made of around 0, 7 – 3, 1 million year old…
In 1186 a nun monastery was established in Kirkjubær. It was later called Kirkjubæjarklaustur and the name Systrastapi is connected to this time, “SistersCliff”. Folklore says that on top of it, two nuns of the monastery were…
One of the greatest natural attractions of Iceland, The Great Geysir has been dormant since 1916 when it suddenly ceased to spout. It came to life once in 1935, and as quickly went back to sleep. It is not exactly known when Geysir was…
Þingvellir þing = parliament, vellir = fields Parliament Fields The most important place in icelandic history. The birthplace of a nation. In the year 930 AD Alþingi, the oldest parliamentary institution in the world, was founded. The…
Þjórsárhraun Lava Field is the result from the greatest lava flow on earth since the end of the last Ice Age. The lava came from an enormous eruption around 6700 bc, possibly in Heljargjá canyon in Iceland´s highlands. The lava’s…
Timburhóll is a beautiful grove where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings. You could even barbecue using the barbecue facilities provided but use caution with the fire and make sure not to leave any litter. This is also a memorial site…
Urriðafoss is a waterfall in Þjórsá River. Þjórsá is Iceland’s longest river, 230 km. This mighty river drops down, 360 m3/sec by the edge of Þjórsárhraun Lava Field, in beautiful and serene surroundings. Þjórsárhraun lava field is the…
Kerlingarfjöll, 800 – 1500 m., is in a chain of mountains and glaciers framing the Kjölur area. The area is full of small steaming hot springs, mudpools and water fountains. It is truly a hikers paradise. It is one of the largest…
An interesting cave, Arnarker, is in the Leitarhraun lava field. A marked path leads from the information sign by the road to the cave, and a ladder has been placed at its opening, down some 16 m. The cave is about 516 m. long.
Vatnajökull National Park, established in 2008, encompasses not only all of Vatnajökull glacier but also extensive surrounding areas. These include the national parks previously existing at Skaftafell in the southwest, and Jökulsárgljúfur in the…
Reynisdrangar are basalt sea cliffs located under the mountain Reynisfjall near the village Vík, which is framed by a black sand beach. Legend says that the stacks originated when two trolls dragged a three masted ship to land unsuccessfully…
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a magnificent and massive canyon, about 100 meters deep and about two kilometres long. The bedrock in Fjaðrárgljúfur is mostly palagonite from cold periods of the Ice Age and is thought to be about two million years old. …
The subglacial Esjufjöll Volcano at the SE part of the Vatnajökull icecap consists of the Snæhetta central volcano and a large caldera. Most of the volcano, including the 40 km2 caldera, is covered by the icecap, but parts of the SE flank are…
The Grímsnes volcanic system has not been active in the last 7000 years. The 12 km long and up to 7 km wide system is one of the smallest and least active volcanic systems in Iceland with 12 small eruption sites, producing small basaltic lava flows…