Iceland’s favorite waterfalls

Iceland has a great variety of beautiful and powerful waterfalls all around Iceland. Some are hidden in canyons or in the highlands but others are right by the round road. Here I’m going to guide you to Iceland’s favorite waterfalls, where they are and how to get there. At the bottom of the article there is a map to give you a overview of the these great natural wonders.

Gullfoss 

Gullfoss waterfall is located in the southwest Iceland, in the canyon of Hvítá and is one of the three stops in The Golden Circle (including Þingvellir and the geysers of Haukadalur).

Gullfoss is certainly among the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, hence the name Golden waterfall.

A century ago there were some plans of using Gullfoss or other parts of Hvítá to generate electricity by building power plants, possibly destroying the waterfall. One woman, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, was determined to preserve Gullfoss and threatened to throw herself in the waterfall. Fortunately, the plans were abandoned but a stone memorial is devoted to her.

How to get there: You’ll have to drive a little further than Þingvellir, pass Laugarvatn and Geysir and you will get there. The falls are well marked. The parking lot is right by the platform so no hiking is needed.

Seljalandsfoss 

Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls. It is located in south Iceland, between Selfoss (town) and Skógafoss waterfalls. It is actually close to the famous Eyjafjallajökull.

The falls drops 60 m (200 ft) over the cliffs of the former coastline of Iceland. During the ice age, a glacier covered Iceland and the weight from the glacier pushed the land down and made the coastline. The glacier than melted and the land rose, leaving the old coastline far inland. You can take a short walk on a walking path that leads you behind the falls, which is particularly beautiful during a sunset.

How to get there: It’s right by route 1 (the ring road) and you can see the falls from the road. Can’t miss it!

Skógafoss 

Skógafoss is located in the south of Iceland, a little further than Seljalandsfoss. The cliffs are a former coastline, much like Seljalandsfoss. Those cliffs, among other mountains, mark the borderline between the coastal lowlands and the highlands of Iceland. Skógarfoss is astonishingly white.

According to the history, a Viking from this area, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a treasure in a cave behind the waterfall. Many years later a boy found the chest but was only able to grasp the ring on the side of the chest before it disappeared again. When you are looking at the waterfall, you can see that on its right side are steps that lead up to the upper end of the waterfall giving an amazing view of the waterfall and all around it. That is the beginning of a popular hiking trip over Fimmvörðuháls, between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull and ends in Þórsmörk.

How to get there: The waterfall is right by the Round Road and is easily seen from it.

Dettifoss 

Dettifoss is a waterfall located in Northeast Iceland, in Vatnajökull National Park and gets its water from the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, a river originating in Vatnajökull glacier.

Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe and has an average water flow of 193 m3/sec. The falls are 100 m wide and the fall is 45 m down Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.

How to get there: You can drive up to the waterfall. However, drive carefully, the last spot is a gravel road. It’s best to see this powerful waterfall from the east bank. There is a panel, which gives a great view over Dettifoss and tracks around it to more points of view.

Goðafoss 

Goðafoss is a waterfall located close to Mývatn in the Northern part of Iceland.

The waterfall gets its name from an old story about the Law speaker Thorgeir Ljósvetningagoði. He made the decision that Christianity should be the official religion of Iceland in the year 999 or 1000. This decision was controversial in the Viking times. It is said that on returning back home from Althingi after his conversion, Thorgeir threw his statues of the Viking gods into this waterfall.

How to get there: This beautiful waterfall lies right on the ring road (Road 1) so you can’t miss it.

Glymur 

The waterfall Glymur is Iceland’s highest waterfall with 196 m fall.

It’s located in Hvalfjörðurin the western part of Iceland and takes less than an hour to drive from Reykjavík. Many tourists only go to see Gullfoss and Glymur often is forgotten. The hike up to the waterfall takes about an hour and it’s great to make a little picnic of the trip. The south and north roads start at the same spot but the south one branches off to the right. The best view is from the south side of the river Botnsá. But be careful, the south side trail is somewhat more difficult along the edges of steep drop-offs. When it drops over a small cliff face and descends through a cave down to the river, you can cross it to the southern side.

How to get there: You will have to drive to the end of Hvalfjörður (don’t take the tunnel) and hike from there. The waterfall can be accessed from Botnsá parking area and you can hike up from there on marked hiking paths.

Dynjandi

At one and a half hour's drive from Ísafjörður, Dynjandi is perhaps Iceland's most picturesque - a bold statement for sure, especially since there are many contenders, but it's hard to disagree when you stand in front of the majesty of "Thunderous".

Actually Dynjandi itself is only the tallest in a series of seven waterfalls collectively called Fjallfoss, but while the top one gets all the photo attention, the smaller waterfalls you'll pass on your short hike to the top certainly add to the charm.

There are plenty of beautiful sights on the way to Dynjandi, most notably the stunning fjord trio of Önundarfjörður, Dýrafjörður and Arnarfjörður. You will get enough time for photo stops and also time at Dynjandi to enjoy the views. On the way back we stop at Þingeyri village.

John & Berglind Rós, Iceland24h.blogspot.com
Junio 2014

Eldey Island (Southwest Iceland)

Eldey is a 77 m. high rock around 15 km. southwest of the Reykjanes peninsula, only 0.03 km2 in size. The last of the great auks, a species of bird now extinct, was killed at Eldey in 1844.

Its sheer cliffs are home to large numbers of birds, including one of the largest Northern Gannet colonies in the world, with around 16,000 pairs. This colony can now be watched live via two webcams that are located on top of the island.

The island formerly supported a large population of Great Auk after they moved there from Geirfuglasker following a volcanic eruption in 1830. When the colony was discovered in 1835, nearly fifty birds were counted. Museums, desiring the skins of the auk for preservation and display, quickly began collecting birds from the colony.

The last pair, found incubating an egg, were killed there in July 1844, with Jón Brandsson and Sigurður Ísleifsson strangling the adults and Ketill Ketilsson accidentally cracking the last egg of the species with his boot during the struggle.

The steep island was first climbed on 30 May 1894, and in 2008 a webcam was installed on the island to provide constant footage of the birds' daily lives.

Jóhanna, Iceland24h.blogspot.com
June 2014

Reykjavík Restaurants & Clubs

For a country that banned full-strength beer until 1989, Iceland sure knows how to party.

Beyond the traditional beer halls with pounding music, the 11 nightspots below let you sip craft cocktails in style or dance until dawn.At the end of the list, you'll find some Reykjavik bar-hopping tips to help you fit in.

Kex Hostel

One of the happier stories borne out of Iceland’s 2008 economic crisis, Kex is housed in an abandoned biscuit factory that escaped demolition when plans to build skyscrapers in its place ran out of cash.

The owners transformed the building into a chic hostel, bar and eatery, naming it after the Icelandic word for biscuit.Travelers and Reykjavikers come here to drink beer and catch impromptu gigs.

Johannes Agustsson, founder of local indie record label 12 Tónar, says keep your eye out for up-and-coming female artist Mr Silla and three-piece band Samaris playing at Kex.

Kex Hostel, Skúlagata 28, +354 561 6060

Kaffibarinn

Established for so long that the current staff can’t remember the full story behind its London Underground-styled logo, Kaffibarinn remains one of Reykjavik’s most popular nightspots.

“We put a lot of energy into hiring good DJs and our staff are very close knit, which helps our customers feel engaged,” says a manager, Katherina Hauptmann.

By day it’s a cool coffee shop, but Kaffibarinn gets fiendishly busy at night, when it turns into a bar. Worth trying are Topas or Ópal (local liquorice liqueurs) and Reyka, Icelandic vodka.

Kaffibarinn, Bergstaðastræti 1, +354 551 1588

Gallery Bar (part art gallery - part club)

An example of a hotel bar you’d actually want to visit, the Hotel Holt’s Gallery Bar is one of the smartest spots in town to quaff a quality beverage in peace.

“The bartenders here really know how to make drinks -- not a given elsewhere in Reykjavík, where most people just drink beer,” Andersen says.

There are red leather club chairs to sink into and tempting cocktails of the day.

“You might have the place to yourself, but you’ll be in good company with paintings by some of Iceland’s most renowned artists on the walls.”

Gallery Bar, Bergstadastraeti 37; +354 552 5700

Snaps

Winner of the Reykjavik Grapevine’s “best goddamn restaurant” award for the past two years, Snaps is a top spot for a social drink and a good-value meal.

With its glass walls and hanging plants, the venue feels like a giant, cozy greenhouse -- people drop by for a quick beer and then find they have no reason to leave.

There’s a piano in the corner if you feel like banging out a tune.

Snaps, Þórsgata 1, +354 511 6677

Le Chateau des Dix Gouttes

Known as Tiu Dropar (Ten Drops) by day, this intimate, grandma-chic basement cafe gets a mini-makeover from owner David Bensow every evening before he reopens the venue as a French-themed lounge bar.

One of a few dedicated wine bars emerging in Reykjavik, Le Chateau sells Iceland’s only wine brand, Kvöldsól, made from crowberries, rhubarb, blueberries and Icelandic herbs.

Le Chateau also serves cheese, waffles and charcuterie to the strains of Edith Piaf.

Le Chateau des Dix Gouttes, Laugarvegur 27; +354 551 9380

Micro Bar (need for beer)

Iceland’s newest microbrewery bar, this funky city bolthole supports small brewers from all over Iceland and beyond.

With mountainous wall murals by the native cartoonist Hugleikur Dagsson, it’s a sweet space to pull up a stool and try anything from a local Kaldi draft to a Tactical Nuclear Penguin from Scotland.

Micro Bar is located in, but not affiliated to, the Center Hotel if you can’t be bothered walking home.

Micro Bar, Austurstræti 6; +354 847 9084

Slippbarinn (cocktail bar)

It opened only a year ago, but this vintage-styled watering hole tucked into the foyer of the Scandi-chic Reykjavik Hotel Marina was the city’s first proper cocktail bar. “Cocktail culture in Iceland is very young but catching up quickly,” explains Slippbarinn’s master mixologist, Ásgeir Má.

On any given night you’ll find as many Reykjavik residents as hotel guests sampling Má’s ever-changing creations, all mixed with house-made syrups and freshly squeezed juices.

Located right on the harbor, it’s possible to see the Northern Lights from your bar stool in the right conditions.

Slippbarinn, Mýragata 2; +354 560 8080

Loftið

One of Reykjavik’s newer bars making a concerted move beyond beer, Loftið draws a mix of expats and mature, moneyed locals with its quality cocktails.

Being one of the only establishments in town to enforce a strict dress code helps Loftið maintain an added element of class -- but while you won’t find anyone dancing on tables here, the mood is far from stuffy.

Loftið, Austurstræti 9, +354 551 9400

Kaldi (best Icelandic beer by far)

Designed as a healthier alternative to the additive-heavy international beers widely consumed in Iceland since the end of prohibition, the country’s own Kaldi beer (brewed to a special Czech recipe) went down well with Icelanders on its 2005 launch and has sold well since.

Fortunately, you don’t have to head to its northern Icelandic brewery to drink it fresh -- this industrial-styled Reykjavik brew bar offers four varieties on tap, including the brand’s unfiltered crowd favorite.

Kaldi, Laugarvegur 20b

Source: CNN Travel
Iceland24h.blogspot.com, June 2014

Where Do Icelanders Come From?

How long has Iceland been inhabited? Who are the natives? Where do the Icelanders come from?

Settlement in Iceland 

Historians agree that Icelandic settlement began in 874 when a Norwegian Viking called Ingólfur Arnarsson was the first one to settle in the country. He landed in a bay where he saw steam rising from the earth, which he mistook for smoke. He named this place 'Bay of Smoke' or in Icelandic 'Reykjavík'. It wasn't until almost a millennium later that this location became a city (in 1786) and later the capital of Iceland.

The Icelandic Age of Settlement is considered to have taken place between 874 and 930 when the parliament, Althing, was founded in Thingvellir. Þingvellir forms a part of the Golden Circle, a popular tourist route, if you are interested in the Icelandic history you can also combine a tour of the Golden Circle with the Saga trail.

Recent excavations in Reykjavík revealed ruins that date from 871 (+/- 2 years) and there is some mention of Norse Vikings encountering Gaelic monks living in Iceland in the settlement years. Still today, it is possible to read about the Vikings in the Icelandic Sagas.

Icelandic Ancestry 

In fact, Icelanders have about 60% Norse origins and the rest is Scottish or Irish heritage. This is because the Vikings would stop on their way to Iceland in Scotland and Ireland and take people hostage and transfer them to Iceland to use as slaves.

Obviously with time, some 'merge' took place. This explains the fair complexion of Icelanders, with the majority of them having blonde or slightly ginger hair and blue eyes. Some people joke that this explains why the Icelandic men are strong and the women are beautiful, through the strong 'survival of the fittest' Viking genes and the beauty from Gaelic belles.

Icelandic Independence

Iceland was ruled by Denmark, then Norway and again Denmark for centuries and didn't gain it's independence until 1944. Iceland's independence day was chosen to be the 17th of June, the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, the leader of the independence movement in the 19th century, even though he died in 1879.

Interestingly, Jón is often called 'Jón president' and some people mistake him for being Iceland's first president. That is obviously not true since he died years before Iceland gained independence but this is because he was a president of an Icelandic Literature Society in Copenhagen and also a president at Althing several times. You can see Jón's picture on the Icelandic 500 ISK note or look at the statue of him at Austurvöllur.

Modern Day 

Iceland Today, around 320 thousand people live in Iceland. Only about 30 thousand are immigrants - from various different countries. Native Icelanders can still trace their origins hundreds of years back, simply by looking it up in the National Registry online.

Source: Guide to Iceland
May 2014
Iceland24h.blogspot.com

Travel Safety Info to Appear on Screens Around Iceland

Thirty screens with travel safety information will be set up at the main tourist spots around Iceland. The monitors are part of a new information system run by the Safe Travel project.

The screens will be installed at large information centers, transportation centers, airports, large hotels and gas stations. Preparation for the project involved extensive consultation with the Icelandic Met Office, the Civil Protection Agency, the tourism industry and the Icelandic Road Administration.

Providing information to visitors is an important tool in accident prevention, particularly in a country where weather conditions can change rapidly.

The screens will include warnings, weather forecasts, travel tips, the 112 national emergency number and road conditions via webcam.

Johanna, Iceland24h.blogspot.com
Source: Ferdamalastofa

The islands of Iceland

Iceland has surprisingly few islands big enough to explore and/or live on. This probably has something to do with how the country was made. The islands we do have, however, add a little bit of extra adventure to any exciting holiday in Iceland.

Iceland’s neighbours across the sea in places like Scotland and Norway seem to be absolutely awash with islands; but then they are physically older landmasses where erosion has been busily breaking up the rocks and currents have consistently been piling up sand and silt into monumental mounds – many of which are now islands.

Iceland, on the other hand, is a volcanic land still being created from a seam between tectonic plates as they move apart. As the lava bubbles up to fill the gaps, we are left with a remarkably circular shaped country, compared to most. As well as this, the forces of nature have not had a very long time to work on island building so far.

Iceland can boast about 30 so-called ‘big islands’ ranging from 13.4 sq. km down to 20 sq. m. We have thousands of rocks and skerries as well, but they are classified as ‘small islands’ and not therefore counted.

Of Iceland’s 30 main islands, nine are of particular interest and can be visited, or viewed from offshore. That number is ten, if you include the island of Iceland itself…Here they are:

1. Heimaey

This is the only one of South Iceland’s Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) which is inhabited by humans. Actually the island has one of Iceland’s bigger towns on it and is worth visiting just for that. But Heimaey is famous for two things above all else: puffins and the big scary 1973 volcanic eruption. The former nest on the island in numbers not seen anywhere else on the planet and the latter kept the islanders away from home for nearly seven months and destroyed a lot of houses. Now you can explore some of those houses, Pompeii style.

2. Hrísey

This delightful, peaceful little island is full of history and has been permanently inhabited since the settlement of Iceland. It is the second biggest island off the mainland and only 15 minutes’ ferry ride from the mainland. The island is today part of the Akureyri municipality and its 170 inhabitants are mostly famous for the seafood they create – especially the beautiful mussels.

3. Grímsey

A fair way further offshore out to the north lies Grímsey – famous mostly for being the only part of Iceland to cross the Arctic Circle*. It’s one of those little human landmarks that we like to go to. See the line. Jump over the line. Jump back again. Take a photo straddling the line. You know how it goes. Fishing and tourism are the 90 inhabitants’ main livelihood.

4. Viðey

Viðey is less than five minutes by boat from Reykjavík. It has a lovely cliffy beach to explore, a small adventure playground, a café and the renowned Lennon Ono Imagine Peace Tower, which is very much worth seeing, even when the lights are turned off.

5. Surtsey

Surtsey is another one of the Westman Islands. Although it wasn’t before 1963. The volcanic eruption that created the island lasted until 1967 and Surtsey has been a natural laboratory ever since, allowing scientists to study how life colonises new land. As a result, you can’t go there. Sorry. But you can get close to it on a boat.

6. Flatey

Flatey in Breðafjörður is the quintessential image of rural Icelandic charm. The green agricultural island has a winter population of just five people, but many more in the summer. The ramshackle, but welcoming village was the set for the Icelandic comedy film Brúðgumminn. The ferry between Snæfellsnes and the Westfjords stops at Flatey and it makes a great overnight stopover.

7. Vigur

Vigur island is one of the Westfjords town of Ísafjörður’s biggest attractions. The island is not in the town, but the ferry departs from there… Vigur is famous for the quality of the farmer’s cakes and waffles, for having the smallest post office in Europe, and for its eider ducks, which are quite unafraid of people and provide some of the world’s most valuable and sought after eider down.

8. Kolbeinsey

This is one you almost certainly can’t visit. It is a tiny rock way above the Arctic Circle famous for nothing more than being Iceland’s northernmost point. In the name of frontier building and political shenanigans, Iceland built a helipad on the rock – which is almost the same size as the whole island. By regularly landing Coastguard helicopters on the island, Iceland proves its sovereignty of the island. At least that was the idea before the helipad crumbled into the sea. The whole island may not be far behind it.

9. Lundey

Lundey is another one just off the coast of Reykjavík, and another one you unfortunately can’t go and walk on. But if you take a whale watching tour, there is a very big chance you’ll stop very close to the island to observe all the nesting puffins from a safe distance. The island’s name means Puffin Island – and that’s precisely what most tour guides call it.

Source: Wow Magazine
Iceland24h.blogspot.com, April 2014

Moustache March in Iceland

For the third year running, men in Iceland are encouraged to grow moustaches this March to raise awareness for the Icelandic Cancer Society.

If you visit Iceland in March don’t be alarmed by all the rugged male handsomeness and the incredible number of moustaches going around.

Icelanders grow their moustaches in March for a good causeIn most countries, November is a time for growing your moustache for a good cause. Icelanders, always trying to do things a little differently, use March for their moustache growing. Because this is such a small island this trend really catches on so the number of moustaches becomes monumental during this time.

Some grow it just to fit in but others to compete, either solo or in teams, and raise funds for cancer research. Overall, this fun event encourages men of all ages to talk about the dangers of cancer with each other and get checked out.

Ragnheiður Haraldsdóttir, director of the Icelandic Cancer Society, told RÚV that their goal is to raise 35 million ISK this month. Men are encouraged to grow moustaches this month to show their support for the drive - the more visible moustaches, the more visible support, which then hopefully leads to more donations.

She says that the goal of raising about one million crowns per day might seem high, but the Icelandic Cancer Society intends to make a large promotional effort for the drive, a great deal of it happening on the internet. Moustache March is a crucial part of that drive.

Ragnheiður points out that many people try to raise money by making their own products for sale, whatever they may be. The important thing about the event is to make it fun, from beginning to end.

If you are a male in Iceland of moustache-growing capacity, you are hereby encouraged to leave your upper lip alone this month.

Berglind Rós, Iceland24h.blogspot.com
March 2014

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in Iceland. An adventure you'll never forget!

Jökulsárlón is today one of Iceland's best known and most popular natural wonders, and for a good reason. A magnificent view welcomes you as you arrive there and it's almost like stepping into a fairy tale landscape.

Jökulsárlón (literally "glacial river lagoon") is a large glacial lagoon in southeast Iceland, on the borders of Vatnajökull National Park. Situated at the head of Breiðamerkurjökull, it evolved into a lagoon after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

The lake has grown since then at varying rates because of melting of the Icelandic glaciers. The lagoon now stands 1.5 kilometres away from the ocean's edge and covers an area of about 18 km2. It recently became the deepest lake in Iceland at over 248 metres depth as glacial retreat extended its boundaries.

The size of the lagoon has increased fourfold since the 1970s. It is considered as one of the natural wonders of Iceland. The lagoon can be seen along Route 1 between Höfn and Skaftafell. It presents a picturesque parade termed as “A ghostly procession of luminous blue ice-bergs through the 17 km2 Jokulsarlon Lagoon”. Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies - A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, Tomb Raider and Batman Begins - A postage stamp depicting Jökulsárlón was issued in 1991 with a face value of 26 krónur.

The tongue of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier is a major attraction for tourists. Tour operators conduct snowmobiles and jeep tours to visit the glacier along the winding iceberg studded Jökulsárlón Lagoon. The base station for visits to the area is at Joklasel, which is approached from Höfn. It is termed as Tourist Conveyor belt.

FAUNA

The lagoon is filled with fishes that drift in from the sea along with the tides. Seals gather in large numbers at the mouth of the lagoon to catch fish during the winter, which is a sight to watch. Large numbers of sea birds, particularly arctic terns, which nest nearby also gather to catch herring, trout, salmon and other fishes and krill.

LANDSCAPE

The white cap of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier dominates the lagoon and its icebergs. Jökulsárlón is separated from the sea by only a short distance, and the combined action of the glacier, the river that empties from the lake, and the ocean may eventually transform it into an inlet of the sea. There are plans to prevent this from happening, since the only road in the area passes over the narrow isthmus.

HOW TO GET THERE

Sterna (buses)
Jokulsarlon-Skaftafell
Reykjavik-Laugarvatn-Reykholt-Gullfoss-Geysir
Reykjavik-Hofn
Reykjavik-Hvolsvollur-Vik
Reykjavik-Arnes-Fludir
Vatnsmyravegur 10
101 Reykjavik
Tel.: 562-1011
bogf@bogf.is

More information about Vatnajökull Region
Jókulsárlón panoramic view

Berglind Rós
Iceland24h.blogspot.com
Mars 2014