Second trip to Iceland (page 4 of 4)

GUNNUHVER GEOTHERMAL SITE

Location:

63.81842, -22.68722 Parking 63.81911, -22.68595 Viewpoint 63.81941, -22.68417 Gunnuhver

Gunnuhver is a geothermal site in Iceland. It’s one of the hottest places in the country. The ground temperature can reach 300°C.

There are wooden walkways that let us stroll around the site, which isn’t very large.

This is where we felt the phenomenal power of all the energy rising from deep within the earth the most.

Among other things, there’s a pool where water and steam erupt with an infernal noise. You’d think you were hearing the roar of airplane engines.

Steam rises from the ground, a sign of the extreme heat beneath. The soil also has different shades created by sulfur deposits.

A legend tells of the ghost of a woman named Gunna who once haunted the area. A plan was devised by locals to lure the ghost into a hole to get rid of her. When she finally fell in, the site was named Gunnuhver in honor of the event.

https://youtu.be/I_whpMzLdXY

REYKJANES PENINSULA - REYKJANESVITI LIGHTHOUSE

Location:

63.81444, -22.70416 Parking 63.81502, -22.70397 Steps 63.81559, -22.70437 Lighthouse

We climbed the steps leading up to the lighthouse. From up there, we had a panoramic view of the Gunnuhver geothermal site.

https://youtu.be/_UJUPl52C4c

REYKJANES PENINSULA - VALAHNÚKAMÖL - REYKJANESTÁ

63.81272, -22.71550 Parking

Reykjanestá is the southernmost tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula (Reykjanesskagi) in Iceland.

Off the coast, you can spot Eldey Island, which is home to the world's largest gannet colony.

On the opposite side, the Reykjanesviti lighthouse stands atop a small hill in the heart of a stunning valley. It’s the oldest lighthouse in Iceland.

https://youtu.be/yuUWHT3NBAs

ÆGISSÍÐUFOSS

Location:

63.8142, -20.4160 Parking 63.8191, -20.4167 Ægissíðufoss

The Ægissíðufoss waterfall is located on the Ytri-Rangá River. It’s just a few kilometers from Hella, a small village in southern Iceland.

This waterfall, which is absolutely stunning, is a well-known fishing spot on the river and has a salmon ladder.

https://youtu.be/9BNPrc9058s

SUPER JEEP EXCURSION TO LANDMANNALAUGAR

63.83421, -20.40057 Hella – Bus stop

We bought an excursion that allowed us to explore Landmannalaugar in a Super Jeep, located in Iceland’s Highlands, one of the most beautiful regions in the country.

We went to the bus stop in the village of Hella for boarding.

Along the way, we made a few stops that let us discover the active volcano Hekla, which offers a stunning view of the region; the crater lake Ljótipollur with its turquoise waters and red coastal hills; Lake Frostastaðavatn, surrounded by black lava fields and colorful rhyolite mountains; and Sigöldufoss, a magnificent horseshoe-shaped waterfall.

You’ll get a glimpse of these sights in this video.

https://youtu.be/uAF1R1bhf_g

HIKING IN LANDMANNALAUGAR

Landmannalaugar is an astonishing natural phenomenon that makes it one of Iceland’s most beautiful regions.

Its rugged landscape, magnificent colors, bubbling hot springs, lava flows, and clear rivers make this place a paradise for hikers.

We did a loop hike that starts with the famous Laugavegur trail, which allowed us to discover extremely varied landscapes—from the black lava of the Lagahraun lava field to the colorful Mount Brennisteinsalda, passing through steaming hot springs, green moss, and of course, the Bláhnúkur volcano with its blue and black walls.

The cliffs around us display a stunning palette of colors. It’s a feast for the eyes!

After our hike, we headed to the natural hot water pool. Several people were bathing there.

Actually, it’s a stream hidden among the grass, accessible via a wooden footbridge. The place is incredibly soothing.

https://youtu.be/Ng35kNv1jh0

SCENERY SPOTTED ALONG THE ROAD

When conversations turn to the trips we’ve taken, I’m often asked: What’s your favorite destination? It’s hard to say since the attractions vary from one place to another. But I can confirm without a doubt that Iceland is definitely one of them. This country is packed with natural beauty.

After covering over 3,600 km on its roads, I can assure you I never got tired of admiring the stunning landscapes that unfolded before my eyes.

I wished I could’ve captured the vastness of Iceland in photos and videos. It’s completely unrealistic, of course. Still, I couldn’t resist snapping shots here and there as we traveled around the island.

I won’t comment on these videos. A picture is worth a thousand words, after all.

So I invite you to watch them. You’ll get the chance to explore Iceland’s roads from the comfort of your armchair.

Part 1:

https://youtu.be/cK-wvsstohk

Part 2:

https://youtu.be/6KfCRGX6yJY

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