SI 6 – Four Days – Reykjavík to Laki and Glacier lagoon via the South Mountain Road and back to Reykjavík via the North Mountain Road

This is a four day tour going west to east from Reykjavík to Klaustur via the South Mountain Road (F210) on day one, a trip into the interior to the Laki crater area on day two, a trip to Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell and the Glacier lagoon on day three, and then back east to west to Reykjavik on day three via the North Mountain Road (F208). The east – west routes can be reversed. Opens around July 1.

Day 1
Departure from Reykjavik not later than 9am heading east along the main road via the village of Hveragerði (coffee stop available), the small town of Selfoss and the village of Hella. There we turn left for a stop at Keldur, an old turf house where you can experience how Icelanders lived in the past. For centuries, turf houses were the homes of the majority of Icelanders. The turf farm at Keldur is an excellent example of old Icelandic architecture and housing, that blends almost seamlessly into the natural landscape.

From there we continue on to Syðri Fjallabaksleið (F210), one of the most remote roads in Iceland, an old highland route north of Mýrdalsjökull glacier that winds through beautiful landscapes and across small rivers and streams. We have brief photo- and stretch stops on the way and then cross the river Bláfjallakvísl and then head on to Mælifellssandur, a vast desert of volcanic sand just north of the glacier and continue on to the beautiful mountain Mælifell.

From there we cross the river Hólmsá and can go for a hike to Hólmsárlón and Rauðibotn, two marvelous very remote places if you wish (about 2 km. walk each way). We look at the Axlarfoss waterfall and continue on top of the mountains down to the Klaustur area area where we spend the night.

Day 2
Departure from the Klaustur area no later than 9am and head inland to the Laki craters with a brief stop at Fjadrargljufur (Feather canyon), a stunningly beautiful canyon carvaed out of the volcanic tuft by a small river. Then we head on to the waterfall Fagrifoss whose name translaated to English is The Beautiful fall and it certainly lives up to it´s name.

We continue into the Vatnajökull National Park and the Laki area (Lakagígar) a long volcanic fissure area that erupted in 1873 for over eight months, resulting in a 25 km. long row of approximately 130 craters, with devastating consequences for the population and livestock in Iceland. For a better view, actually a stunning view, the hike up the mountain Laki is not difficult as it has a trail and the elevation is only about 200 metres. We drive around the Laki area with viewing stops and stops at craters filled with water before heading back to the Klaustur area for the night.

Day 3
Departure from the Klaustur area no later than 9am. Heading east to Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell which is the original part of the national park, and the Glacier Lagoon. We might go off the beaten track and travel along the dirt road that is closer to the glacier mounds that line the edge of Skeiðarárjökull if possible.

In Skaftafell various hikes and shorter walks are available, something for everyone. Hike up the hill for a splendid view of the area and continue to Svartifoss, Black fall, a beautiful waterfall perched in a gorge of black basalt columns and then back down again, or continue across the heath to the eastern edge to get a an aerial view of Skaftafellsjökull.

For a shorter walk on level ground one van walk directly to the edge of Skaftafellsjökull and we´ll also drive closer to the edge of Svínafellsjökull for a great view of that glacier.

Then we continue to the Glacier lagoon for a boat tour of the lagoon and some stretching and walking around before returning back to the Klaustur area for the night, with a possible stop at another lagoon, Fjallsárlón, on the way.

Day 4
Departure from the Klaustur area no later then 9am and head inland north on Nyrðri Fjallabaksleið (F208) and along the river Skaftá to Eldgjá, one of the largest canyons in Iceland, 60 km. long and up to 600 meters wide and 200 meters deep. The canyon was formed in a gigantic eruption in 934 AD that lasted for several years resulting in the largest lava flow known in historic times that covers more than 800 square kilometers.

From there we continue west on top of the mountains or at the bottom of gorges, crossing small rivers and creeks on the way to Landmannalaugar, a hot spring area and a popular place for lunch, hikes, photos, a bath in the warm springs, or whatever you feel like doing.

From there we continue on road F208 to view Sigöldugljúfur, The Valley of Tears, as some people call it and then continue to Hrauneyjar for a coffee stop and then on to Reykjavik via the beautiful valley of Thjorsardalur.