My first plan was to go to the Westfjords. But plans change, situations change. It is a bit of a risk to go there with a normal car that time of year, plus locals tell me one week is way too less to explore everything there, aside from tough driving conditions. So with pain in my heart I postphoned my plan to go to Westfjords, instead focus for that on a trip in summer 2017 or 2018 together with Landsmót.
Then it was my idea to explore the south coast, but well I have to be in northwest Iceland and it would be a lot of driving time either over the west or east coast. So that plan didnt make it either. A while ago I found a nice horse guesthouse near Geysir, opting that to combine it with the ever desired wish to hike Hekla. But then still I had one week in an area I know by now, and has too much tourists for my liking, and not adding too much new things for me. Then maybe combine it again with Snæfellsness. But thats also a thing, was there last year already. Enough still to explore but it wasnt giving me the right spirit to go there two consequtive times.
My other two out of the way options were visiting Westmann Island or even Greenland. The last would be tricky if weather wasnt having mercy I could see it all go to waste. It would be better to leave that as a part of the bigger picture in a few years.
Last option was visit northern Iceland again. And yesterday I made myself clear that is where I will be heading to. Still a lot to explore there.
In 2014 I also went to Akureyri, but I was not staying in Iceland very long, I had 2 nights there, meaning only one day to visit the area. I choose to visit Myvatn but underestimated the distance it took to drive. Well you can find that day trip in my 2014 blogs, including my quite naggy search for a gas station.... I by far havent seen everything I wanted to see. And reading through my Iceland travel guides made me exited.
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| Melancholy while viewing towards Burfell |
I will now have 5 days to explore, and I found a nice hike in the Krafla area, and a total amazement about Asbyrgi canyon, which I wanted to visit but didnt have time for. And due to Bardarbunga/Holuhraun eruption, Dettifoss also wasnt easy to visit. I didnt want to cross the bridge over Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, but only the east road to Dettifoss was open. As there was a small risk if Bardarbunga would blow up, in response to Holohraun eruption going on, this bridge would most certainly collapse and I had to drive all around Iceland to get back to Akureyri, it even was closed few times for this risk. It may sound like I am too chicken, but really at the time I was there, this was the situation. Jökulsá á Fjöllum is an extremely strong and potential violent river, giving Dettifoss its credit to be the biggest waterfall in Europe. Not in size but in the unbelievable amounts of water that falls down every second. I probably would be chickenshit if I finaly face this fury, those moments I tremendously respect nature in all its forces. It will be a very special moment if I see Dettifoss, Im sure of that. But well, in 2014 I only saw Myvatn, Namaskard and a little bit of Dimnuborgir. It was raining every once in a while, and I had only one day. So the whole Diamond circle is still awaiting me, as is Grottagjá in which I really hope to have a dip if it isnt one of its cooking days.
I already drove near this canyon in 2014, while I expected to be on the road to Husavik, but instead was driving the ringroad towards Égilstadir. Its a moonscape, all flat, sandy, dead looking, rained by rocks area. Completely giving you the idea you teleported to the moon. Probably reason why the astronauts often had practise here. But in this desert like ocean of sand and rocks is this canyon wich is incredible beautifull with its many waterfalls and colors, somewhat reminding of grand canyon. More beautifull than Dettifoss must be the waterfall Hafragilsfoss and Sellfoss spreading 800 meters wide with many falls. Oddly enough I was amazed by a picture of Hafragilsfoss on facebook the other day, it caught my attention, but had no idea where this waterfall is situated. Probably somewhere in the highlands and I didnt thought of it much longer. But yesterday I found out it is a walking distance downstream of Dettifoss. I might be in for a hike here! If that hike isnt too 'dangerous' and weather permits of course.
My plan is to stay in Husavik 2 nights, near Myvatn 2 nights and one in either Akureyri or Blonduos the first night because driving from Reykjavik to Husavik in one go, is a bit too much. I did in 2014 from Hafnarfjordur to Akureyri, non stop in 6 hours, because it was storming so badly, didnt stop didnt leave the car. It was impossible anyway. It scared the hell out of me sometimes, but more than that it really drained my energy focussing on driving. Its different than a Dutch storm. If that happens again, I wont be happy so I plan a stop in Blonduos. Then to Husavik, maybe go whale watching there (if there is a chance to see whales) one day drive the Diamond Circle, with a few little hikes on the way, permitted road 264 is as they say 'acceptable' for smaller cars. There is little discussion about it, but I am used to gravel roads by now. Only this road is like 84km long... so maybe I have to improvise and visit Dettifoss on another occassion by driving via Myvatn. Relocate to a guesthouse near Myvatn next 2 nights. On the other day do the hikingstuff near Reykjahlid. Leaving me with the remaining time to visit Dimnuborgir, Grottagjá and some other places I still want to see.
Then the last day it isnt a long way to Gauksmyri I guess 4-5 hours easy driving. Horseys horseys and horseys. After Gauksmyri I have 2 days left, its my safe time in case bad weather closes down the mountain pass Holtavörðuheiði. I probably hang around Reykjanes/Keflavik, but I think this year I choose another town, maybe Viking hotel again. Or Reykjavik for once.It all depends on how it fits my budget.
So, yes I am all rather exited about going to north Iceland again, so much still to explore! I cant wait and so today I will find the places to stay. Only 3 more months to wait!
In the time coming up, I will maybe blog a bit about places I plan to go visit. Tell about their history, their Viking meaning, or geological history.
