Iceland 4

November 2, 2016

Western Ring Road

The west coast of Iceland is a different creature than the southern Ring Road. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is considered by many to be “mini Iceland” due to the variety of terrain. It’s long been a special place, thanks to Jules Verne’s book Journey to the Center of the Earth: where the entryway to the center of our planet is through Snæfellsjökull Volcano on the tip of the peninsula.

Landbrotalaug

Off of Road 54, behind an abandoned farmhouse, lies a tiny hot pot of geothermal water. Park in a cleared space and walk across this lake.

The hot spring feeds into this large pool, however it is very shallow.

If there are people inside this tiny pool, hang out in that larger one until this one opens up.

This tiny hot pot fits 2-3 people and is about 95F degrees. It is hidden by this rock wall on the right, and will provide any and all **namaste** necessary. BYOW/B

If I had to choose the coolest Icelandic experience, it would be this moment.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The roads North/South on the peninsula are gravel and bumpy. The views, however are not.

**Gerðuberg Cliffs,** basalt columns in the Autumnal colorings.

An example of typical Icelandic beauty- old farms on a backdrop of a painting.

Icelandic fish soup and Einstok beer, a great lunch!

Hellnar to Arnarstapi

This hike is along the SW coast of the peninsula. Wear hiking boots and extra layers, its cold and windy here.

The hike is through these lava rocks and the beautiful moss covering it.

Points of interest in the Peninsula that we will have to visit next time:

Djupalonssandir

15 min drive to hike from Djupalonssandir to Dritvik. 30 min hike.

Skardsvik Beach

20 min drive

Budir Church (Ingjaldsholskirkja)

10 min drive

Kirkjufellsfoss

Kirkjufellsfoss is a small waterfall adjacent to Kirkjufell mountain. It’s an iconic landmark on the peninsula.

Recommended restaurant near Kirkjufell:

Bjargarsteinn mathus

On our last evening in Iceland, we drove north to Hvitserkur (the elephant/ troll rock on the beach). However the clouds rolled in and cut our sunset photo op off early, causing us to make the very rocky journey (30 min pothole ridden road) for nothing. We’ll have to see you next time.

Glymur

After the cave, cross the river on a log. Don’t worry, it’s shallow water and there’s a wire to hold onto.

Climb up some rocks, careful for the mud and hold onto the rope.

The Glymur hike takes about 3 hours, includes climbing into a cave, crossing a river over a log and then a rope climb to the highest waterfall in Iceland.

(Recently discovered waterfall in Vatnajokull National Park on Morsárjökull glacier in 2011 is now the tallest waterfall in Iceland however Glymur is still considered the highest one.)

Accommodations: