Iceland Grand Discovery

Transcription

1 Hosting you since 1937 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery 19 days Eldhraun

2 Welcome to Iceland! To make your stay in Iceland more enjoyable, we would like to draw your attention to the following: This booklet contains a standard itinerary. If you have added nights, please note that the itinerary has not been customized to show such amendments. This itinerary is a guideline for your travel in Iceland. The route may vary according to your overnight stay and road conditions, especially during April/May and September/ October. Even with the long daylight, you will not be able to visit every nook and cranny nor enjoy all the fun things suggested. Please choose between the sites mentioned depending on your interest as time limits your possibilities. The kilometer/mile distance per day is not precise. The distance may vary depending on the location of your accommodation and the detours you take each day. On your accommodation itinerary you will find a detailed address list, describing how to reach your accommodations. The accommodation itinerary also has a reference number, which is valid as your voucher. Official hotel check-in time is 14:00-18:00. If you arrive any later, it s courteous to notify the hotel. Breakfast is always included during your stay, but no other meals. Many of the rural hotels and guesthouses offer a nice dinner at a reasonable price. Sat Nav Speed Limit Seat Belts Road Map Bin the Litter One Lane Bridge Watch out for Animals Gravel Roads 2 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

3 A few favourites from the trip Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 3

4 Day 1: Arrival. Pick up your rental car and explore Reykjanes Peninsula. 104 km / 64 miles. Upon your arrival in Iceland you ll find your rental car help desk in the arrival hall at Keflavik Airport. The desk is open every day from 5:00am 5:00pm and again from 9:00pm- 1:00am. The staff will advise you where to find your vehicle. If you are arriving early enough in the day we recommend driving along the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula. Start your journey with a soak in the Blue Lagoon. Follow road no. 41 towards Reykjavik until you find road no. 43, leading south towards Grindavik. Before you reach Mt Þorbjorn you make a right turn to the Blue Lagoon area. To make it easier you can just follow the steam clouds rising into the air. At the Blue Lagoon you can soothe away the jet lag and relax in the milky waters of the Lagoon and perhaps enjoy a glass of the famous Blue Lagoon cocktail while you let the algae mask bring out the skin s inner glow! If you don t plan on visiting the lagoon at Stykkishólmur Reykjavík Keflavík 1 Hveragerði 11 2 Gullfoss Vík Seyðisfjörður Akureyri Mývatn Egilssstaðir 3-4 Höfn Kirkjubæjarklaustur the beginning of your trip you continue on road number no. 43 until you find your way to Grindavik. Take a left onto road no. 427 and explore the southern coastline on your way to Hveragerdi. Follow this winding road along the shoreline, past stand-alone houses, lava rock formations, and endless sea views. Take a quick detour on road no. 42 to the Krysuvik Geothermal Area and Kleifarvatn Lake, which are a part of the Reykjanes fissure zone. Continue on your journey on road no. 427 until you reach road no. 38, which will take you to the charming village of Hveragerdi. The village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area and because of the numerous greenhouses using geothermal heat it is often called the flower village Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

5 Day 2: Þingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir, Flúðir/Selfoss National Park of Geological Wonders (UNESCO), Spouting Geysers, Massive Waterfall 170 km / 106 miles Today you ll drive east out of Hveragerdi and drive along road no. 1 and road no. 36 to Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir National Park is of great ecological, geological and historical interest. The park itself is situated in a stunning volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flows, on the border of Iceland s largest lake. Surrounding the lake are impressive faults and gorges that are considered among the finest examples of the results of tectonic movements in the world. It is the area where the tectonic plates for Europe and America meet, and one can literally see see the rift valley between the continents. This is also the former site on the oldest parliament in the world, Alþingi. It was founded here in 930 and this is where all the greatest events in Icelandic history have taken place in the past thousand years. In the 18th century. In the 18th century a major earthquake took place at this location, after which the parliament was transferred to Reykjavík. In 2004 Þingvellir was placed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. While in Þingvellir you should visit: Lögberg (The Law Rock), the law speaker, the president of Lögrétta (the Law Council) stood there, facing the gathering below to recite the laws during the period when the old Alþingi was held at Þingvellir. Neðrivellir where Lögrétta was, the most important institution of the ancient parliament, the Alþingi, where the goðar, the local chieftains, and bishops gathered to debate, pass new laws and amend old ones. These two sites are on the eastern side of the Almannagjá gorge. Drekkingarhylur (Drowning Pool) on the Öxará River, where women found guilty of adultery were drowned. Öxarárfoss waterfall, a beautiful waterfall in the Öxará River, which falls thunderously over a steep slope at the edge of the Almannagjá rift. Þingvallakirkja Church, from 1859, situated on the spot where one of first churches in Iceland was built around 1016, shortly after the Icelanders converted to Christianity in the year Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 5

6 From Þingvellir you will drive via Lyngdalsheiði on road no. 365 to the lake Laugarvatn area. Laugarvatn is a geothermal area, and it is said that when Christianity was adopted in the year 1000, the chieftains from the north who refused to be baptized in the cold water of Þingvellir, were brought to Laugarvatn to be baptized in the warm spring. You continue your tour to the beautiful Gullfoss and Geysir region. The Geysir area is a colourful geothermal field where you find geothermal pools and a spectacular erupting hot spring or geyser. In fact the Icelandic word "geysir" is the commonly used generic term for this natural phenomenon. Every 5-10 minutes the geyser Strokkur (the Churn) erupts sending water and vapour shooting skywards in a spectacular display. Please be very careful near the hot pools and geyser and keep to the hiking paths. You continue your journey further north to Gullfoss waterfall, the Golden Waterfall. It is a beautiful two-tiered waterfall that that many believe to be the most scenic in Iceland. It 6 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

7 thunders 32 m (105 ft) over a fault into a gorge, which measures 2.5 km (1.5 miles) in length and up to 70 m (230 ft) deep in places. You head back and return to road no. 35 and turn south. Turn left at a junction to the road no. 31 to visit the bishopric at Skálholt, which played a major role in Icelandic history from the year 1056 to 1796, when the bishopric was moved to Reykjavik following a series of powerful earth tremors. Fun things to do Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths Tel Day 3: Þjórsárdalur, Skógar, Vík, Kirkjubæjarklaustur Hekla Volcano, Thundering Waterfalls, Puffin Colony, Black Sand Beaches, Lava Fields 300 km / 186 miles From your accommodation turn onto road no. 30 and then take road no. 32 to Þjórsárdalur valley, with its landscape of sharply contrasting birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers and waterfalls. Follow the course of the mighty Þjórsá, Iceland s longest river and the most important source of electricity in the country. At the entrance to the Þjórsárdalur valley, you can stop for a short climb to the top of Gauks höfði, a rocky crag with the mighty river at its foot and a splendid view of Hekla, Iceland s most famous volcano. You will see the beautiful waterfall Hjálparfoss, framed by twisted basalt columns before heading for Stöng, the excavated ruins of a Viking-age farmhouse in a fair state of preservation. If you follow the path alongside the brook you will enter a beautiful ravine called Gjáin. The landscape here is heavenly, with brooks and waterfalls where harlequin ducks can often be spotted. This is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the wonderful solitude. If you have time continue on a rugged road to the 120 m (394 ft) high Háifoss, Iceland s second highest waterfall, falling thunderously into a sheerwalled gorge (please note you must hike some distance to see Háifoss). Turn back to road no. 32 going north until you reach the junction of road no. 26 and no. 32. Now you have two possibilities, you can take an optional detour to Landmannalaugar or head straight to road no. 1. Please note! The road to Landmannalaugar and Eldgjá is usually open from mid-june till the end of August. The road to Landmannalaugar is not suitable for small cars, a 4WD jeep is needed, as you need to ford (cross) rivers. Please make sure that your petrol tank is full and that you have packed a picnic lunch before taking the road. Detour to Landmannalaugar: I f you decide to take the optional detour to Landmannalaugar, drive road no. 26 north and take a turn to road F208. Landmannalaugar, one of Iceland s natural jewels, has streams of geothermal and spring water coming from under a high wall of lava and mixing to make streams and pools having the perfect temperature for bathing. Though the altitude is over 600 m, the river banks are covered in grass and flowers. The very colourful rhyolite mountains surrounding it make this area quite unique. Just before reaching Landmannalaugar you could drive right up to the side of Ljótipollur, which is an impressive explosion crater with a lake inside. After the stop in Landmannalaugar you keep on going on road F208 leading to Eldgjá. Eldgjá is a 40 km long volcanic rift reaching from the Mýrdalsjökull glacier to the mountain Gjátindur. It is most impressive at the northern end where it is 600 m (1968 ft) wide and 200 m (656 ft) deep. Extensive lava fields have come from Eldgjá and spread over the lowlands of Meðalland, Landbrot and Álftaver. The lava at Álftaver is the oldest. Continue to road no. 1. You will come back to road no. 1 about 23 km west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 7

8 If you do not take the detour, take a right turn to road no. 26 and drive down that road to road no. 1. While driving on road no. 26 you will be passing through some dramatic scenery as you are in the proximity of the volcano Hekla (to your left). The lunar-like landscape is in most parts covered with thick layers of ash and lava. There is an interesting Hekla exhibition at Leirubakki on road no. 26 where you can learn about volcanism in general and the history of mount Hekla. Open daily 10:00-22:00, tel Mt. Hekla is without a doubt Iceland s most famous volcano. It is still very active, erupting most recently in 1970, 1980, 1981 and in The last eruption started on 26th February in 2000 and lasted for 12 days; the lava from this eruption covers approximately 18 km 2 (47 mi 2 ). Instead of a classic volcano cone, Hekla is part of a rather squat series of ridges, although this is usually hidden behind a thick bank of clouds that earned Hekla its menacing name, which means the hooded one. Soon after the settlement period, in 1104, Hekla showed that it was a presence to be feared as it erupted without warning and devastated 20 farms in the Þjórsárdalur Valley. Indeed the volcano was so infamous that in Medieval times Europeans believed it to be the very gateway to hell. The volcanic eruptions from Hekla are spectacular as the mountain is 1,493 m (4897 ft) high and towers over the lowlands of the south Continue your tour through the fertile farmlands of the south, towards the east through the small villages of Hella and Hvolsvöllur, where trade and services are the main occupations. This is the region where one of the best known Icelandic family Sagas, Njal s Saga is set. You have the opportunity to visit the Viking and Saga Exhibition in Hvolsvöllur where you can learn more about the sagas, tel Rising ahead of you now is the cone shaped Eyjafjallajökull glacier and volcano, 1666 m (5465 ft). On a clear day you can see the Westman Islands to your right. There is a ferry to the Westman Islands, sailing from Landeyjarsandur. Therefore it is easy to take a detour to this archipelago of around 15 small islands. The largest island, Heimaey, has a population of around inhabitants. 8 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

9 Detour to the Westman islands: A few kilometres east of Hvolsvöllur, turn right when you see the ferry sign and drive towards the ocean. The ferry Herjólfur offers several departures per day, please call for information about the schedule and prices. You can either leave your car behind at the harbour or take it along on the ferry. The duration of the sailing is only 30 minutes in good weather. Once in the Westman Islands, you should visit The Pompeii of the North the ruins of the town s houses after the 1973 volcanic eruption, the southern tip of the island Stórhöfði for puffin- and bird watching and hike up to Helgafell and/or Eldfell volcano. A boat tour around the islands is a must for all bird and nature lovers, please call Viking Tours for further information, tel They offer various tours, such as the popular circle tour, whale watching, and deep sea fishing. A visit to the Museum of Natural History offers insights into the islands bird and marine life, houses a rock and minerals collection, an aquarium and a remarkable exhibition on the creation of Surtsey island. From mid-may until mid-september the museum is open May through the end of September, 10:00-17:00 daily. Tel Back on the ferry and you find yourself again on the main-land. Continue on road no. 1 and a stop at the spectacular waterfall Seljalandsfoss, 40 m (131 ft) high, is recommended. There you can actually walk behind the waterfall, but be careful as it might be slippery. Shortly after you pass Seljalandsfoss waterfall, you can pay a visit to the famous Þorvaldseyri farm, tel , which gained worldwide attention, during the volcanic eruption beneath Eyjafjallajökull Glacier. During the eruption, thick layers of ash fell to the ground and rivers flooded their banks, damaging farmland, hot water pipes and flood barriers on nearby farms. The farmer, Ólafur Eggertsson, and his family, have extraordinary images on display, showing the farm and its surrounding before, during and after the eruption. He has now opened a visitors centre in Þorvaldseyri that is worth visiting. Drive onwards to Skógar, where you can visit the Folk museum and Skógafoss waterfall, 60 m (197 ft) high, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. The popular Folk Museum is open daily from 09:00-18:00 from June to August but less in other months, tel Mýrdalsjökull is Iceland s fourth largest glacier. Glacier tongues creep down its sides to the lowlands, the most prominent being Sólheimajökull. Under the south-eastern side of the glacier is Katla, a sub glacial central volcano, buried deep under 400 m (1312 ft) of ice. The caldera is 10 km (6.3 miles) in diameter. Since the settlement of Iceland, Katla has erupted times at an average interval of years, melting the glacial cap and causing catastrophic floods in the plains below. All of this has in the course of time created the vast Mýrdalssandur desert on the south-eastern side of the glacier. Katla last erupted in Continue the journey and pass Dyrhólaey, a magnificent rocky headland with sheer cliffs. It is the southernmost point of Iceland and at the tip of it, is a huge wave-cut arch which boats can sail through. The headland is known for its bird life and is certainly worth a visit. It is about 5 km (3 miles) from road no. 1 on road no. 218, about 8 km (5 miles) before you arrive to Vík village. Dyrhólaey is a bird sanctuary and closed to all traffic during the nesting season from ca. 1st of May until 25th of June each year. Please note that the road to the top is not always passable as it is very steep. If it has been raining severely, the road turns muddy and is not at all suitable for smaller cars and inexperienced drivers. One has to be very careful walking on top of Dyrhólaey, as no fences protect you from falling, so do not walk close to the edge. Before reaching Vík, there is another recommended detour to the so-called Reynishverfi by turning right on road no Reynishverfi offers a beautiful black beach and impressive basalt columns. At one place you can even see and go into a cave called Hálsanefshellir chiselled out by the sea over thousands of years. Depending on the tides the cave may not always be accessible. Please bear in mind that this is the open Atlantic sea and the waves are Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 9

10 extremely strong and treacherous, so be on your guard. You will drive onwards to the quiet village of Vík, which is situated in the mild and fertile Mýrdalur valley which is the southernmost borough in Iceland. The western border is marked by the glacial river, Jökulsá, to the east is the river Blautkvísl, and to the south are the black volcanic beaches and the Atlantic Ocean. Mýrdalur is a farming area with about 600 inhabitants, 330 of them in the village of Vík. It is an area of great contrasts. Lush green pastures lie between vast black volcanic sands. Rugged mountains, scarred by deep gullies, rise from the sands and are topped by the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The area has rich birdlife with the country s largest nesting colony of arctic terns just east of the village. In the cliffs west of the village you will see countless puffins, kittiwakes and fulmars mainly during the months of May, June and July. Please be careful when walking in the nesting area of the arctic terns as they are very protective of their eggs and and their chicks. If you intrude you can expect the adult birds to dive bomb on your head with their sharp beaks. To avoid getting hurt, please put a stick, umbrella or something long above your head since they attack the highest point. Reynisdrangar: These are tall stacks or needles in the sea at the base of Reynisfjall Mountain, supposedly formed when two trolls were trying to drag a three-masted ship to land. When daylight broke they turned into stone. The stacks rise 66 m (216 ft) above sea level and can be seen from Vík. Heiðarvatn: A lake that lies not far from Vík. It offers good trout fishing and is a nice area for walking. Please note that you will need a permit for fishing. You continue your trip to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, an area of great beauty, a growing resort with a number of historical spots. You drive on road no. 1 across the south-eastern part of Iceland through the impressive Skaftáreldahraun lava field, which was created in the volcanic eruption at the Laki Craters, supposedly the biggest lava field on earth coming from a single eruption, and which is now all covered with moss. Fun things to do Snowmobile Tour of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier Duration: 1 hour Arcanum, tel / Glacial Walk with Crampons from Sólheimajökull, with the possibility of some ice-climbing for those willing enough to try Duration: 1.5 or 3.5 hours Icelandic Mountain Guides, tel or Day 4: Fjaðrárgljúfur - Lakagígar Gorge Hike - Volcanic Fissures 200 km / 124 miles. Enjoy a day at leisure. We recommend a hike in the magnificent Fjaðrárgljúfur, one of the most spectacular canyons in Iceland, but if you are travelling in June, July, or August a longer detour to the volcanic Laki craters (Lakagigar) is a great option. The drive, for which you ll need a rental 10 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

11 car category 5.0 or higher, takes you to the site of a catastrophic eruption in , and includes beautiful sights such as Laki, the largest of the craters, which is 818 metres (2684 feet) high and affords a breathtaking view over the craters. To get to Fjaðrárgljúfur turn right onto road no. 1 as if you are returning to Vik but take the next right onto the road towards Hunkubakkar Guesthouse. Drive past Hunkubakkar and to the parking lot at the end of the road. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a gorgeous and impressive canyon, about 100 meters deep and about 2 km long. The canyon has sheer vertical walls, and is somewhat narrow and meandering. The bedrock is mostly palagonite from the Ice Age and is thought to be about two million years old. The river Fjaðrá has its source in the mountain Geirlandshraun and falls off the edge in this stunning canyon until it makes it down into Skaftá river. Fjaðrá has changed throughout the ages. Today Fjaðrá s water level is often rather low and therefore hikers can safely walk inside the canyon. However, wading is necessary fairly often and you have to hike the same way out. Most people choose to walk along a walking path up on the canyon s edge while simultaneously enjoying the view above the canyon. Laki Craters (Lakagígar) is a series of craters formed in a massive eruption in Lava flowed across the flat land and destroyed multitudes of farms before stopping just outside of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. To get there, turn right onto F206 from the Hunkubakkar road, before you get to Fjaðrárgljúfur, and continue up to Laki. You may have to cross a few rivers so a car SUV 4wd is a must here. Overnight stay in Kirkjubaejarklaustur area. Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 11

12 Day 5: Skaftafell Jökulsárlón Höfn Europe s Largest National Park and Glacier, Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs 200 km / 124 miles Kirkjubæjarklaustur was the site of a convent in earlier times, a fact reflected in place name like Systrastapi, Systrafoss and Systravatn, meaning Sisters Rock, Sisters Falls and Sisters Lake, respectively. You can have a look at the famous Kirkjugólf or church floor, at the northern part of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, although it is believed that it was never a floor in a church. It is the surface of huge basalt columns. It is worth a closer look. Near Kirkjubæjarklaustur you will see numerous hills, Landbrotshólar, which comprise the largest area of pseudo craters in Iceland. The area has a lot to offer the visitor; hiking, swimming in the local swimming pool or sightseeing are some of the options. The Tourist Information Centre in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, at Klausturvegur 29, tel can also give you further information on what to do in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. On the way from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Skaftafell National Park you have a great opportunity to see an interesting basalt column formation at Dverghamrar, please look for a sign on the right hand side of the road. Then drive past Núpsstaður, an old farm surrounded by magnificent cliffs, where you will find one of the oldest churches in Iceland with a turf-covered roof. You will also drive past Lómagnúpur; an impressive 688 m (2.257 ft) high precipice. After passing Lómagnúpur, Skeiðarársandur sand plains will appear. Following a volcanic eruption in Vatnajökull glacier in October 1996, millions of tons of water and ice flooded over Skeiðarársandur. The flood washed away large parts of the road and destroyed two bridges. Preliminary repairs were made and the road opened again in December, only two months after the eruption. Some of the icebergs that the flood carried with it were as large as three storey houses. Skaftafell National Park is a masterpiece of seemingly impossible contrasts of nature. On the one hand you have the Skeiðarársandur plains, vast stretches of black sandy wasteland and volcanic debris borne from volcanic eruptions from underneath the icecap of Vatnajökull. On the other hand you have the enormous icecap of Vatnajökull with its valley glaciers descending like fingers in all directions. In the middle lies Skaftafell plateau, like a verdant oasis, where you can see gorges with clear brooks and beautiful waterfalls, birch woods, a wealth of wild flowers and lush vegetation. A walk on the marked paths along the gorges for a look at the waterfalls is a must for all visitors. The most majestic is Svartifoss, the "Black Falls", plunging over a wall of symmetrical basalt columns that recall organ pipes. There is an alternative for those who have difficulty walking up to the Skaftafellsjökull glacier (wheelchair accessible). For further information please ask at the information centre in Skaftafell. Continue your tour and drive from Skaftafell on to Jökulsárlón where it is possible to take a breathtaking cruise amongst floating icebergs on the fantastic 180 m (590 ft) deep glacial lagoon. The icebergs break off enormous ice lobes, advancing down deep valleys from the Vatnajökull icecap. The ice from the glacier is over 1000 years old, but the lagoon has largely been formed over the last century, as the glacier has retreated in the warmer climate. Sometimes you can see seals by the coastline of the lagoon. At the travel service in Hólmur, before reaching Höfn, you can visit a café and Mini- Zoo with all the usual Icelandic farm animals, horses, sheep, dogs, cats, and more. Open daily, 09:00-17:00, tel Brunnhóll farm and guesthouse makes a delicious stop on the way to Höfn, since the farm is known for its own production of homemade ice-cream, tel Höfn is a bustling fishing and fish processing port, as well as a commercial centre, with 12 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

13 considerable farming in the neighbouring area. In Höfn there is an interesting local exhibition worth seeing. The visitors have the opportunity to experience and learn about the area, the nature and the basic glaciology. It's located in the visitors centre in Höfn, tel Fun things to do Trout Fishing, close to Kirkjubæjarklaustur Duration: Variable Efri-Vík farm, tel Glacial Walk in Skaftafell. Duration: 2.5 hours Icelandic Mountain Guides, tel or Boat Tour on the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon Duration: min Jökulsárlón, tel or Jeep Tour or Snow Scooter Tour on Vatnajökull Glacier. Duration: 3 hours and 15 minutes Jöklajeppar (Glacier Jeeps), tel or WD Quad Biking in Hoffell. Duration: 1.5 hours Vatnajökull Travel, tel Day 6: Djúpivogur, Reyðarfjörður, Egilsstaðir Narrow Fjords, Steep Mountains, Picturesque Coastline, Mineral Collection 300 km / 186 miles Today you will drive the Eastern Fjords onwards to Egilsstaðir. Eastern Iceland is a very mountainous region of deep fjords isolated from each other by sheer mountains. There is very little volcanic or geothermal activity there as the region is geologically the oldest part of Iceland. The region is heavily eroded and therefore there are many interesting minerals and semi-precious stones to be found there. The Eastern Fjords are renowned for the history of brave French, Belgian, and Spanish fishermen who hunted whales and fished for cod in the seas off the coast of the eastern shores from the beginning of the 17th century. An Icelandic farmer compiled the world s first dictionary of the Basque language in the 17th Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 13

14 century in order to be able to communicate with some of them. Before you come to the Almannaskarð tunnel you can take a little detour down the road to the right marked Stokksnes. At the end of that road, down at the shore, you will find seabirds, arctic terns and possibly seals out on the rocks. You then drive east through the Almannaskarð tunnel. If the weather is good an option is to drive to a view point on the east side of the tunnel. There you can enjoy the beautiful scenery towards the west. You will see the glacial tongues crawling down from the main icecap to the lowlands. Continue through the Lón area, which many consider to be one of the most beautiful sites in Iceland. The road then leads north to Djúpivogur, at the southern opening of Berufjörður fjord, which is known for its zeolite-crystals. Djúpivogur is a beautifully situated, picturesque fishing town. If you can, take a walk around this beautiful area, please ask for a hiking map of the area in the shops. Djúpivogur might be an interesting choice for birdwatchers because there you can experience unspoiled nature where you can see the bulk of Icelandic birds in their natural environment without difficulties such as long walks or extra travelling. Mammals such as seals and reindeer can also be seen there frequently. In Djúpavogur there are two birdwatching shelters open to the public. You can get more information at the local information office in Langabúð. You will continue your journey through Breiðdalsvík and on to Stöðvarfjörður, where you can visit the famous Rock Collection of Petra Sveinsdóttir, tel Over 90% of the stones in her collection were found in Stöðvarfjörður and the surroundings. From Stöðvarfjörður follow road no. 96 north to Fáskrúðsfjörður. Fáskrúðsfjörður used to be the base for the French fishermen. The French built a hospital and a chapel there and 49 French and Belgian fishermen lie buried in the cemetery at Krossar on the seashore on the northern outskirts of the town. From Fáskrúðsfjörður continue your journey to Reyðarfjörður. On the way to Reyðarfjörður on road no. 96 you should see seabirds and possibly also seals. You also have the option of taking the shortcut through the tunnel straight to Reyðarfjörður. Reyðarfjörður is the largest of the Eastern Fjords. It served as one of the largest Allied bases during World War II. In the village at the base of the fjord there is a small museum of war memorabilia called the Icelandic Wartime Museum, tel Just outside the town there is a big aluminium smelter producing annually tons of aluminium, owned and run by Alcoa, was opened in 2007 providing jobs for 400 people. Continue your tour to Egilsstaðir. Egilsstaðir is situated some distance inland, on a fertile plain on the border of Lake Lagarfljót, which is a huge glacial river. According to local legends, similar to those about Loch Ness in Scotland, you might expect to see a sea serpent called Lagarfljótsormurinn reputedly living in the lake. Egilsstaðir is a natural centre for regional social services and transportation to many of the towns and villages in the eastern part of Iceland. You can make an interesting visit to Hallormsstaður, a state forestry plantation in the beautiful Hallormsstaðaskógur, where 80 species of trees from various parts of the world are growing. Hallormsstaðaskógur is the largest forest plantation in Iceland. From Egilsstaðir to Hallormsstaður the distance is 26 km (16 miles), but if you have the time to drive around the lake, which is altogether 84 km (52 miles), we recommend a stop on the other side of the lake, 20 km (12,5 miles) from Hallormsstaður, called Skriðuklaustur. The building was designed by the German architect Fritz Höger and built in 1939 for the writer Gunnar Gunnarsson. Today it is an institute which enables artists, writers and scholars to stay temporarily to work, but a part of it is open to the public. If you are here in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest refreshments in Iceland. Everything is homemade and served by local women. Fun things to do Boat Tour to Papey from Djúpivogur. Duration: 4 hours, boat leaves at 1 pm every day Papeyjarferðir at or Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

15 Day 7: Seydisfjordur and Borgarfjordur Eystri Eastern Towns 140 km / 86 miles Seyðisfjörður is only 27 km (17 miles) away from Egilsstaðir along road no. 93. It is a beautiful town worth visiting, situated in a deep, 18 km (11 miles) long fjord of the same name. Trading started in Seyðisfjörður in 1834 and in the latter part of the 19th century it became, for a while, one of the largest towns in Iceland. Many beautiful Norwegian-style houses date from that time. Every week the Smyril Line car ferry Norröna comes to Seyðisfjöður. Borgarfjörður Eystri has only 130 inhabitants, the area has plenty to offer, including some of the most populated elfin settlements in Iceland and a wide selection of hiking routes. The area boasts a spectacular landscape which is a dream for every outdoor enthusiast. There is great natural beauty in the area, as it is still untouched by mass tourism. Many of the mountains in the area are light and exceptionally beautiful in colour. It is one of the largest rhyolite areas in Iceland, but volcanic basalt is also very common. The small town of Bakkagerði is situated on the coast of the fjord. The two major industries have long been agriculture and small boat fishing. On the edge of the town is Álfaborg, a unique set of cliffs reported to be the home of elves, including Iceland s Queen of the Elves. Álfaborg is a protected site and there is a viewing platform at the top. Overnight at Egilsstaðir. Day 8: Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, Húsavík, Mývatn Europe s Most Powerful Waterfall, Glacier Carved Gorge, Whale Watching 310 km / 193 miles. Today you will continue your journey and drive on road no.1 over the eastern highlands, heading for Lake Mývatn. You drive across the desolation of Jökuldalsheiði heath, Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 15

16 a mountain pastureland containing many lakes, at a mean altitude of 500 m (1640 ft), and where you will be able to see fine examples of tundra. Remains of settlements dating from can be seen on the plateau, for many of the inhabitants of this area emigrated to America after a volcanic eruption in the Askja caldera in If you take road no. 901 instead of no. 1, you can take F907 and drive a few kilometres in a southerly direction. There you will find the small turf farmhouse, Sænautasel, which is worth the visit. It dates from 1843 was farmed until 1943, except for the period , when ash from the Askja eruption made the farm uninhabitable. Farming and life on this high heath was tough and mainly consisted of trying to keep the livestock alive. The farm has been restored by the local community and is kept open in summer, showing artefacts from bygone times in their proper setting. Traditional refreshments are also available at Sænautasel. You continue over the barren highlands of Möðrudalsfjallgarðar, renowned for their mystical beauty. Stefán from Möðrudalur, a beloved naïve-style painter, used to live here. Möðrudalur and its charming Mountain Café is just a little detour from the main road on road no Please note! If you are not travelling between mid- June and mid-september, please note that road no. 901 can be closed. The roads to Dettifoss are usually just open from mid-june to mid-september, because of wet and muddy conditions caused by melting snow and ice. Please ask locally for information on road conditions before leaving Egilsstaðir. If the roads to Dettifoss are closed, you must take road no. 1 to Lake Mývatn and on to Húsavík by road no. 87 and no. 85. If the roads are open, continue your journey northwards by taking road no. 862, until you reach Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon National Park, the largest and most rugged gorge in Iceland, through which flows Jökulsá, one of the country s mighty glacial rivers. Once there, you should visit: Dettifoss, Europe s most powerful waterfall, contrasting strikingly with the smaller waterfalls of Hafragilsfoss and Selfoss. Hólmatungur Nature Reserve, also at road F862 with beautiful, colourful rock formations and rich flora. The Nature Reserve of Hljóðaklettar (The Echo Cliffs) on road F862 from Ásbyrgi, a great labyrinth of crags and rock formations which, like other strange rock formations and canyons in the National Park, is the result of catastrophic floods and water erosion. Ásbyrgi, on road no. 861, a natural horseshoeshaped rock enclosure, whose impressive walls reach a height of 90 m (295 ft), sheltering fertile and lush vegetation. You drive road no. 85 round the Tjörnes peninsula, famous for its fossiliferous layers and bird life, to Húsavík. Húsavík is situated in a picturesque fjord surrounded by majestic mountains capped with snow, even in summertime, and is a commercial centre for the agricultural area, as well as a busy fishing port. The Húsavík Whale Museum provides information on whale species, their evolution and biology, whale stranding and the history of whaling. Open from 8:30-18:30 in May-September but less in other months, tel Recommended cafés and restaurants in Húsavík are Gamli Baukur located right on the pier in a charming house made mainly of drift wood and Salka restaurant. Take road no. 85 and 87 or 845 to Lake Mývatn depending on your accommodation. Fun things to do Whale Watching from Húsavík. Duration: 3 hours Norðursigling at Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

17 Day 9: Lake Mývatn Bizarre Lava Formation, Geothermal Activity, Rich Birdlife, Lunar Landscape Varies Mývatn is one of the country s most fascinating places. The unique ecology of the lake and its unusual environment has made it one of northern Iceland s greatest attractions. Lake Mývatn is famous for many things, such as rich bird life, beautiful landscape influenced by volcanic activity and boiling solfataras. In and near the lake, all the Icelandic duck species, apart from the eider, breed annually, in all 15 species. During the summer the lake is teeming with birds feeding on the lake s rich food supply. The area is protected by international law as a very important breeding place for different birds. Birds to look out for, apart from the ducks, are great northern divers, red-necked phalaropes, Slovenian grebes, red-throated divers, merlins and gyrfalcons. There are several remarkable natural phenomena in the district worth visiting, such as: Skútustaðargígar pseudo craters: A cluster of colourful and beautifully formed pseudo craters situated close to Skútustaðir and easily accessible from there on foot. Höfði, Nature Park: With rich flora, fauna and a beautiful view of the lake. Dimmuborgir: Translated as Black Castles, a landscape of rugged crags and strange lava formations. There are 3 different routes marked for walking. Please stay on the paths, as this area is like a labyrinth. Hverfjall: A huge explosive tuff crater. It looks like a giant circular stadium with a crater bowl of 1,040 1,200 m ( ft) in diameter and 140 m (459 ft) in depth. It stands only 150 Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 17

18 m (492 ft) above its surroundings so it is not difficult to hike to the top. Well worth visiting and exploring by foot. Vogafjós-café: A small café located inside a cowshed where you can see the milking of the cows. It is possible to taste the fresh milk and even try your hand at milking. The cows are milked twice a day. The emphasis is on home made local food such as smoked trout, Mozzarella cheese from their own milk and geyser bread baked in the warm earth. You will find Vogafjós by road no. 1 where it goes round Lake Mývatn, a 10-minute drive from the village of Reykjahlíð. Gamli Bær is a small café with a nice atmosphere close to Hotel Reynihlíð, where you can sit outside on a good day during summer. Námafjall: A mountain ridge singed and boiled by sulphurous vapours. The area is famous for the colourful solfataras and bubbling pools of hot viscous mud of amazing patterns and colours. Please be very careful here and do not get too close to the bubbling pools as they might splash hot mud. Grjótagjá: One of Iceland s best known chasms that is half full of hot water, making it a popular bathing spot for a long time. Today the temperature is too hot and so bathing is no longer possible. Please watch your step if walking down to the pool. Krafla: A high temperature field with active volcanic craters, where a steam-powered electricity generating station has been built. The Nature-Baths: The geothermal spa called, Mývatn Nature Baths is the latest addition to the region s many visitor attractions and are well worth visiting. It contains a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal microorganisms. It s open all year around: 1 June - 31 August from 09:00 to 24:00 and from 12:00 to 22:00 in the wintertime. For directions you can call the baths directly tel , or ask local hotels and service-centres in the Mývatn area. 18 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

19 Bird Museum (Fuglasafn Sigurgeirs): A private collection of birds, now open to the public. For directions you can call the museum directly, tel Leirhnjúkur: Part of the Krafla fissure complex. It is one of the most interesting sights in the Mývatn area. A highly active volcano and a small but very colourful high-temperature geothermal field situated west of Krafla, which last erupted in a series of nine eruptions from West of it are a series of craters and volcanic fissures of the same name. In this area you can also see the lava fields from 1984, which are still hot. A vast magma chamber lies under the region, in some parts as close to the surface as 3 km (1,9 mile). From the car park, a circular footpath leads you around the volcano and up to its summit from where there is a beautiful view over the impressive volcanic landscapes surrounding it. This is a very interesting walk but one has to be very careful when crossing the high-temperature area. It is important to wear good walking boots. On rainy days there is considerable mud in the geothermal area and it can become very slippery there, so one has to take extra care when crossing it. Overnight stay in Myvatn area. Day 10: Akureyri and the North of Iceland Bizarre Lava Formation, Geothermal Activity, Rich Birdlife, Iceland s Second Largest City 91 km / 57 miles After exploring the Myvatn area, head for Akureyri, via road no 1. On the way to Akureyri, which is the capital of northern Iceland, you will pass Goðafoss waterfall, one of Iceland s most beautiful and renowned waterfalls. Driving 18 km (11 miles) from Goðafoss towards Akureyri you could make a detour to Akureyri by taking road no. 835 to visit the Laufás Museum. Here you can see one of the country s best preserved turf/sod farmhouses. The museum is open from mid May until mid September from 10:00 18:00. From Laufás you would continue on road no. 83 to drive to Akureyri. Akureyri boasts some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored. Because of its excellent natural harbour and good communications, Akureyri has become the northern center of education, culture, trade and industry. Akureyri has a whole street in its centre, Listagil (Art Gorge), devoted to arts, crafts and design, where it is ideal to visit the Akureyri Art Museum. This charming town is located inland at the base of Eyjafjörður Fjord, the longest fjord in Iceland, which means that Akureyri, together with Egilsstaðir, is one of the two towns in Iceland closest to the centre of the country. This provides Akureyri with a climate, which is more continental than oceanic, with colder winters and warmer summers than in most other towns in Iceland. Therefore, in spite of its location, about 70 km (44 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, the town is verdant with a public park and botanical garden, Lystigarðurinn, which was opened in It was originally only planted with various kinds of trees, but it now also includes over 400 to 450 Icelandic vascular plants. There are many other interesting places and museums in Akureyri. One is Nonnahús, a museum and former home of children s writer and Jesuit priest Jón Sveinsson, Nonni. (It is located at Aðalstræti 54b). Next-door, and equally interesting, is the Akureyri Museum. Akureyri also has a new swimming pool with an indoor- and outdoor swimming pool, along with a children s pool, jacuzzis and slides. At the Tourist Office in the Hof Cultural Centre you can pick up a map and get further information. Overnight stay in Akureyri. Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 19

20 Day 11: Siglufjordur, Varmahlíð/Hvammstangi/ Laugarbakki Troll Peninsula, Fertile Farmlands, Folk Museum, Viking Horses 250 km / 155 miles Drive on road no.1 and then turn onto road no. 82, heading north. Just before reaching Dalvík village, you will pass a bird-sanctuary by the river. The main industries in Dalvík are fishing, fish processing and trading. In Dalvik, recreations such as whale watching and horse rental are available and there is always the option of visiting the museums in town or trying the local swimming pool. The museum is a traditional folk museum with an unusual twist, representing Jóhann Svarfdælingur, known as the Giant, once being the tallest man in the world. You can try on his huge shoes and view his specially made bicycle and chair, amongst other things. Continue driving the coastline, through the tunnel, to the famous herring town of Siglufjörður. Siglufjörður was an important herring centre from 1904 to recent times, when the herring disappeared. A very interesting museum, offering a glimpse into the glory days is the Herring Era Museum, recreating the town s bustling harbour of the 1950s. You might be lucky enough to witness a show of salting herring into barrels, singing and dancing to accordion music on the museum dock. The museum is open in June-August from 10:00-18:00 but less in other months. Tel From Siglufjörður you will drive on road no. 76 and then on road no. 75 to Sauðárkrókur. On the way you will pass Hofsós village, where you will find beautiful columnar basalt by the coast and also the Emigration Museum. If you still have time, a visit to the old bishopric in the north, Hólar, is recommended, on road no The Hólar Cathedral is beautiful, with many objects dating all the way back to Catholic times (before 1600 A.D.) From Sauðárkrókur drive towards Skagafjörður fjord and the small village of Varmahlíð on road no. 75 and you can pick up the itinerary from below. In Skagafjörður fjord and valley you will find a small village called Varmahlíð. Skagafjörður stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the highlands and is one of the cradles of Icelandic history", playing a leading role in the events in the 13th century civil war and in cultural developments for centuries afterwards. Skagafjörður is one of the most important areas for river rafting in the country, as there are several large glacial rivers originating from the highland interior, ideal for that purpose. Varmahlíð is a small village situated at the junction of road no. 1 and road no. 75. We suggest you visit Glaumbær Museum on this day, as you have a long drive ahead the next day. Glaumbær is located on road no. 75 only about 14 km (9 miles) from Varmahlíð - watch out for a signpost. This is an old farm with turf buildings in traditional style, some parts of which date back to the 18th century. Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir, the first woman to go to America and who gave birth to the first American of European descent, lived at Glaumbær in the 11th century. A part of the museum is a charming café called Áskaffi serving traditional pastries in an old parlour setting. Before you head off on road no. 1 to Húnaflói, we suggest a visit to the small turf church Víðimýri, located very close to Varmahlíð, but on the other side of road no. 1. It is open 09:00 18:00 from 1. June August. Heading towards Blönduós and Hvammstangi on road no. 1, you will pass some of the finest salmon rivers in Iceland. You will drive past the small town of Blönduós situated on both sides of the glacial river Blanda. Blönduós is a long established trading and service town, and the administrative centre of the region. Þingeyrar Church (road no. 721) is worth a visit. At the junction of road no. 721 and road no. 1, you will see numerous small hills, which are the result of a landslide, the uncountable Vatnsdalshólar hills. Approximately, 16 km (10 20 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

21 miles) further west we suggest that you drive along road no. 718 and go to the spectacular Kolugil canyon. You can take road no. 715 on the way back to road no. 1. Short detour to Vatnsnes peninsula: T ake road no. 711 to Vatnsnes peninsula. The distance from road no. 1 and back is approximately 82 km (51 miles) mostly on a gravel road. The main attraction here is the Hvítserkur (White Cowl) stack standing right at the shore. It resembles a fantastical animal drinking and reaches a height of 15 meters (50 ft). The name is probably derived from the white colour of the bird droppings that cover Hvítserkur. This area is very peaceful and seals can often be spotted here as well as in Hindisvík, which is right on the end of the peninsula. In Hvammstangi (on road no. 72) you can pay a visit to the Icelandic Seal Centre, open daily from 09:00 to 19:00, June-August, please call tel Fun things to do Ferry to the Island of Hrísey Ferry line, Hríseyjarferjan Sævar, tel Duration: 15 min. in the ferry to the island Horse Show in Skagafjörður Duration: 1 hour Varmilækur Farm, tel or Horseback Riding in Skagafjörður Duration: hours Hestasport Tours, tel or Seal Watching and Sea Angling from Hvammstangi. Tel Duration: 1 hours and 45 min for Seal Watching, 3 hours for Sea Angling Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 21

22 Day 12: Strandir, Hólmavík, Drangsnes 250 km / 155 miles You will continue driving on road no.1 to Staðarskáli, a popular rest-stop, where you can get light refreshments and use the washrooms before taking road no. 61 (in 2010 road 61 changed to road 68, road 68 then changes back to 61 upon approaching Hólmavík) to the town of Hólmavík. Please note! General road conditions in the western fjords are not as good as in other parts of the country, so please drive safely, especially on gravel roads. On the way you should stop at Borðeyri, the smallest village in Iceland! Borðeyri is on Hrútafjörður s west side, a hamlet on a small sandbank. Borðeyri is the district s service centre with a local supermarket, a bank and a service station. On the way up Strandir you will find a number of rivers, rivulets, and small lakes and in many places the shoreline is dotted with driftwood from Siberia. There are quite many and large eider colonies along the coastline and the inhabitants collect the down from the nests, hunt seals, process the drift wood and do some fishing. Continue your drive up the magical coast of Strandir until you reach the town Hólmavík, a small village in Steingrímsfjörður fjord. Its inhabitants are mainly employed in the fishing industry, agriculture and commerce. Trade began in Hólmavík just before the turn of the century and the town grew rapidly afterwards. In Hólmavík you can visit the Witchcraft Museum, which tells the story of sorcery and witchcraft in the Strandir area from the 17th century, tel Overnight in the Hólmavík area. Fun things to do Puffin Watching on Grímsey Island Vesturferðir, tel Duration: 3-4 hours 22 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

23 Day 13: Ísafjörður Capital of the Westfjords Scenic Coastline, Striking Fjords, Steep Mountains, Seals and Birdlife 221 km / 137 miles You will drive from Hólmavík across the high pass of Steingrímsfjarðarheiði heath into the spectacular region of Ísafjarðardjúp. The 75 km-long Ísafjarðardjúp stretches all the way from the mountains around Bolungarvík at its mouth to the shores of Ísafjörður fjord, the most easterly of the nine smaller fjords that make up the southern coastline of this extended arm of the Denmark Strait. Approaching from the southeast, descending from the Steingrímsfjarðarheiði on road no. 61, the views of Ísafjarðardjúp are spectacular. Look across the bay and, on the northern shoreline, you ll see the snowcapped mountains of Langadalsströnd and Snæfjallaströnd, themselves divided by the glacial lagoon Kaldalón, which is fed by meltwater from the only glacier in the West Fjords, Drangajökull. Until just a couple of decades ago these coasts were dotted with isolated farms making an uncertain living from sheep farming and the odd crop. In addition to working the land, many farmers also eked out an existence as fishermen on Ísafjarðardjúp. Nowadays, the bay is better known for the rich shrimping grounds found at its mouth, as the whitefish have moved further out to sea. You drive along the countless uninhabited fjords with beautiful coastlines, teeming with seals and bird life, to Ísafjörður, the largest town in this area. Overnight stay in Ísafjörður. Day 14: Ísafjörður and Surroundings West Fjords, Local Museums, Hiking in Hornstrandir Natural Reserve Variable Today you have the day at leisure in Ísfjörður and its surrounding. The beautiful town of Ísafjörður, the regional capital of the West Fjords and the major centre of commerce and culture, is situated by Ísafjarðardjúp fjord which is the largest of the West Fjords. Eight narrow and long inlets cut its southern coast while its northeastern coast has only one prominent inlet. On its northern coast, near its mouth, it is deeply cut by the magical Jökulfirðir or glacier s fjords, so called because of the Drangjökull glacier situated at their centre. Northeast of Jökulfirðir is the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve where nature becomes breathtaking in its rawness and astonishingly rich vegetation. Abandoned by a farming community during the first decades of this century, and free from the destructive grazing of sheep, plants and wildlife alike thrive on a scale unknown elsewhere in the country. In some areas, as for example in Aðalvík bay, you can wade knee-deep in meadows of wild flowers fertilized by the guano of countless seabirds, and in the tranquillity of the fjords you can listen at sundown to the music of nature, the sound of seabirds and, if you are very lucky, to the haunting bark of the arctic fox. This is now one of the most popular areas for hiking in the country. Ísafjörður boasts a lovely old town centre with some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored. Some of these old buildings are now a part of the Ísafjörður Maritime and Folk Museum. Ísafjörður is a popular ski resort in wintertime; while in summer tourists visit the town, not just for its charm and beautiful surroundings, but also for the popular Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 23

24 trips to Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Jökulfirðir and the Island of Vigur. The island Vigur has earned a great reputation and has become a must for visitors to the area. It s like time stands still on the island. A leisurely walk around the island gives you an opportunity to see an abundance of birds in their natural environment. The island is home to thousands of birds e.g. eider ducks, arctic terns, puffins and more. After exploring Ísafjörður you can take road no. 61 to the north to the nearby town of Bolungarvík. The harbor in Bolungavík is often bustling with life; boats arriving and people busy landing the fish, while seagulls and other birds are flying around. Close to Bolungarvík is the restored fishermen s hut, Ósvör Museum tel You continue on road no. 60 and drive through the tunnel and over Gemlufallsheiði heath on to Þingeyri village, the oldest trading post in the western Ísafjörður district. The name Þing indicates an ancient assembly site. Just before reaching Þingeyri you drive through Dýrafjarðarbotn, which is a beautiful area with a majestic mountain range and considerable flora. Fisheries are the main activity of Þingeyri, but there is some commerce and farming. The area around Þingeyri is of particular natural beauty, with high mountains and beautiful scenery. The highland area between Dýrafjörður and Arnarfjörður to the south is often referred to as the Alps of the West Fjords. For all the above tours, please call Vesturferðir, Aðalstræti 7, tel The Tourist Information Centre is housed in the same building, tel Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

25 Day 15: Bíldudalur, Látrabjarg, Flókalundur Small Picturesque Villages, Striking Waterfall, Red Sand Beaches, Sea Cliffs with Birdlife 287 km/ 178 miles The tour continues along the West Fjords, which geologically speaking contain some of the oldest parts of Iceland with rock formations millions years old. You continue your drive over Hrafnseyrarheiði heath to Hrafnseyri, a church farm in Arnarfjörður and the birthplace of independence movement leader Jón Sigurðsson (the anniversary of whose birthday, June 17th in 1811, is Iceland s National Day) and where there is a memorial museum to this great statesman. Arnarfjörður abounds with natural wonders and should not go unexplored. The most famous of its natural wonders is probably the waterfall Dynjandi, a 100 m high cataract of unusual beauty. Some kilometres beyond here the road splits in two. Turn onto road no. 63 which leads you through the small fishing villages of Bíldudalur, Tálknafjörður and the larger town of Patreksfjörður, named after an Irish bishop called Patrick, whose foster son was its first settler. Trade began here in 1570 so it is one of the oldest trade posts in the Western Fjords and is now the trade and service centre for west Barðarstrandasýsla district. Across the fjord from Patreksfjörður there is a small museum, Hnjótur in Örlygshöfn, where it is well worth taking a break and having some refreshments. Take road no. 62 and then road no. 612 to Látrabjarg, the westernmost point of Iceland. Látrabjarg is a 14 km long and up to 450 m high cliff teeming with different species of nesting seabirds. In Breiðavík Bay, seals can often be spotted in the crashing waves. Please be careful, there are no safety rails and the soil can be slippery near the edges. Rauðisandur ( Red Sand ) is an extensive, white sandy coastal area southeast of Látrabjarg, thought by many to be one of the most picturesque places in Iceland. It is ideal for strolling along its amazing golden sands and beautiful shore. Access is from road no The distance from the junction of road no. 614 and road no. 612 is about 17 km, driving on a rough gravel road and not for those who fear heights. Please contact Sæferðir, tel and confirm your seat on the ferry Baldur for tomorrow. Day 16: Ferry Baldur, Breiðafjörður, Stykkishólmur Ferry across the Bay, Picturesque Islands with Birdlife, Quaint Fishing Villages 50 km / 31 miles. Time is your own until noon. This is an excellent opportunity to go on an easy hike in the surrounding area. Then you sail on the ferry Baldur from Brjánslækur, across the bay of Breiðafjörður, with a short stop in Flatey Island, and on to the village Stykkishólmur, ca. a three-hour sailing. Detour to Flatey: Beautifully kept old houses in cheerful colours line the path through the settlement of Flatey island. Walk through it, and at the end of the settlement, the path becomes even narrower and more crooked, taking you through a dense colony of birds. Two families stay on the island throughout the winter, but many more migrate during the summer. In a charming way, it feels very much like a movie set. And so it is. A number of movies were shot on the island, most notably The Honour of the House based on a short story by Nobel Prize winner Halldór Laxness, and White Night Wedding, a movie by Baltasar Kormákur. In fact, Baltasar s father painted the unusual altar piece in the island s church, making it worthy of a visit. Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 25

26 Stykkishólmur is the largest town of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It has a fine natural harbour sheltered amongst beautiful rock formations. Fishing is the main occupation with emphasis on shellfish. Trade began in Stykkishólmur in the late 16th century. Iceland s first meteorological observations were made here in 1845 by Árni Thorlacius, who in 1832 built the Norwegian House, a fine timber building that has been beautifully renovated and houses the local folk museum. The Café Narfeyrarstofa is located in the centre of the village in one of those older houses. While in Stykkishólmur, we recommend the museum Vatnasafn or Library of Water, tel , in the former library building, overlooking the ocean on one side and the harbour and town on the other. Ice from 24 glaciers around Iceland was extracted and the results are stored in liquid form inside glass columns scattered through the building. This is a work created by American artist Roni Horn in collaboration with Art Angel as a multi faceted long-term installation and community centre in the town of Stykkishólmur. Overnight stay in Stykkishólmur. Day 17: Snæfellsnes, Borgarfjörður Picturesque Waterfalls, Europe s Most Powerful Hot Spring 272 km / 170 miles Continuing from Stykkishólmur, you take road no. 58 and road no. 54 along the northern coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is a good idea to take the short detour on road no. 577 to the farm and museum of Bjar 26 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

27 narhöfn, where you can see a small church and may learn how shark meat was cured in the old days, tel Continue your journey through the small fishing villages on the northern shores of the peninsula, Grundarfjörður and Ólafsvík. Hellissandur, a busy fishing village stands on the edge of the sea on an elevated coastal plateau near the outermost tip of the peninsula adjacent to another seaside fishing village Rif that faces the open sea. In medieval times, Rif was an important trading port. The Snæfellsnes peninsula is volcanic in many places, with older rock types in between. At the western end you will find the strato volcano Snæfellsjökull. Snæfellsjökull is considered to be one of the most beautiful glaciers in Iceland, and believed by many to have supernatural powers. Snæfellsfjökull first became famous after the publication in 1864 of Jules Verne s Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The glacier itself and its surroundings were established as a National Park in the year of Take road no. 574 going west. At the tip of the peninsula, near Dritvík, look for a sign saying Djúpalónssandur, a small inlet used as a landing for small fishing boats in earlier centuries. The fishermen got wages according to their strength; measured by weight stones, still to be seen down on the beach. Here the roar of the ocean cannot drown out the sound of the seagulls constantly on the move. You drive by the romantic little fishing villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi, both known for their rock formations in the shapes of arches, caves and stacks, as well as cliffs teeming with huge bird colonies. At Hellnar there is a small café by the seashore, worth visiting. Here in Hellnar you can visit the Snæfellsjökull National Park s Visitor Centre, which displays a part of the country s commercial history and the geology, geography and fauna of the park. It also serves as an information centre and is open daily from 20. May to 9. September 10:00-18:00. Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 27

28 In Arnarstapi local fishermen can be seen fishing and landing the catch of the day. A suggested walk is from one of Iceland s most picturesque harbours along by the basalt cliffs, ravines and grottoes, which surround Arnarstapi pier, towards the man-made stone troll Bárður Snæfellsás. There are myriads of birds in the ravines, especially kittiwakes. Be careful of two things: walk only on the path to avoid falling into the ravines and be aware of the arctic terns nesting close to Bárður Snæfellsás. Another recommended walk, especially for bird watchers, is from Arnarstapi to Hellnar. Approx. 45 min. walk. Drive further along road no. 574 and road no. 54 to Búðir, which is picturesquely situated by the shore, surrounded by Búðahraun lava. This is a unique place to walk in the sandy lava fields, see the charming black church and stroll on one of the few yellow beaches of Iceland. Here you get endless possibilities for photographing. You continue on road no. 54 eastwards. At the junction of roads no. 54 and 56, you will find a small shop and a cafeteria. It might be a good place for a break. If you haven t seen basalt columns so far you should stop at Gerðuberg, which is an interesting rock face with high uniform basalt columns. It is one of the longest rock faces in the country. Look for a sign with Ytri-Rauðamelur on the left-hand side. An interesting sight on the right-hand side is Eldborg, a perfectly-shaped crater; there is a marked hiking path all the way to the top of the crater from the farm Snorrastaðir. The walk is relatively comfortable and takes about 1 hour. Keep on going in the direction of Borganes, the largest coastal community in Iceland that is not dependent on fishing. The town is built on a scenic headland jutting into the picturesque fjord Borgarfjörður, close to the spot, Borg, where the Viking poet and warrior, Egill Skallagrímsson, the main character of one of Iceland s most famous Sagas, 28 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

29 Egil s Saga, lived in the 10th century. It s a good idea to visit the Icelandic Settlement Centre in Borgarnes, tel , which opened in The museum is operated in three buildings. The main floor of the centre houses an exhibition entitled The Settlement of Iceland. Turn onto road no.1 and then take road no. 50 towards Reykholt in Borgarfjörður, and stop at the hot spring Deildartunguhver on the way. Deildartunguhver is probably the largest hot spring in the world with a volume of 180 litres of 98 C (208 Fahrenheit) hot water every second. It is located a bit north of the junction of road no. 50 and road no. 518, which lead to Reykholt. At the car park you can purchase fresh tomatoes, grown in the local greenhouses and packed for travellers who stop at Deildartunguhver. Your next stop will be Reykholt. Reykholt is an educational centre today and one of Iceland s most noteworthy historical sites. Snorri Sturluson ( ), the best known Icelandic Saga writer and scholar, lived in Reykholt, where he wrote famous works such as Heimskringla, Snorra Edda and perhaps Egil s Saga. In Reykholt you will find the exhibition Snorrastofa, which is a culture- and medieval centre founded in memory of Snorri Sturluson. Snorrastofa manages various research projects and provides reception, souvenirs and information for tourists. A little bit further than Reykholt there are the picturesque waterfalls Hraunfossar, as they pour from under a lava field, in a succession of cascades, into the river Hvítá. Barnafoss waterfall is nearby. Return to Borgarfjörður for your overnight. Fun things to do Snow Scooter Tour to Snæfellsjökull Glacier from Arnarstapi Duration: 1.5 hours Snjófell, tel Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 29

30 Day 18: Reykjavik Picturesque Fjord 118 km / 74 miles Continue south along the beautiful coastline of Hvalfjörður, one of Iceland s longest fjords (30 km / 19 miles), on road no. 47. During World War II, Hvalfjörður became one of the most important Allied naval bases in the North Atlantic as a refuelling station for the Allied fleet. The many large oil tanks around the village of Miðsandur, often the cause of much tourist curiosity, are indeed remnants of this refuelling station. This was later converted into Iceland s only whaling station, which is still in operation. Leaving Hvalfjörður you will drive along the base of the beautiful Mt. Esja (918 m or ft) into the city of Reykjavík. We suggest a visit to Laugardalslaug swimming pool or one of the many swimming pools in Reykjavík. There is also a botanical garden and family park in the Laugardalur area you might enjoy visiting. You can also stroll around the old city centre of Reykjavík, with its many shops, galleries, museums, cafés and restaurants. Recommended sites to visit if walking are: Hallgrímskirkja Church, the City Hall, Tjörnin Lake, the harbour area, Harpa conference and music hall, and the sculpture Sun Voyager. Just outside the city centre you can visit the Höfði House. If you have not planned any extra activities in Reykjavik and would like to add an experience to your stay there, be sure to take a look at our day tours selection on our web 30 Self Drive Iceland Grand Discovery

31 Day 19: Departure Departure from your accommodation is recommended 3 hours before the departure of your flight, as it takes approx. 1 hour to drive to the airport and check in will start two hours prior to departure. If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your way to the city on day one, but have time to spare today you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport. For this detour, please be sure to allow for at least hours extra to make sure you ll have ample time at the lagoon. The rental car should be returned to the airport service area which is located only 2 minutes from the airport terminal. A shuttle will then transport you to the departures hall. We at Iceland Travel hope you have enjoyed your stay in Iceland and wish you a safe journey back home. It would great to hear how your holiday went when you get back home! You can either log on to our website s comment section at or visit our TripAdvisor profile. Iceland Grand Discovery Self Drive 31