Driving Routes for Iceland 2019
A GPS log to show where we have driven around Iceland for this 17 days trip. There were some gaps due to GPS logger not getting GPS signal, at times, when we start our daily journey.
Öxarárfoss
The waterfall Öxaráfoss (The waterfall in the Ax River) is positioned inside ravine Almannagjá in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, part of the Þingvellir National Park. The waterfall is rather small, only about 20 metres high and may differ in volume as the source, the river Öxará or Ax river, is quite different from one season to the next. It was documented in the saga Sturlunga written in the 12th and the 13th century, that the river Öxará was moved hundreds of years ago, to channel the water into the ravine Almannagjá in the ninth century - to provide water for the members and visitors of the Icelandic parliament Althingi in the 9th century. With this diversion, it forces the water over the cliff hence becoming a "human-made" waterfall.
Smiður
Smiður - the Carpenter is a churning and bubbling hot spring in the Geysir Hot Springs Area, and is an oddity at the park because it billows steam from the chimney of a small hut. Prior to the royal visit of the Danish King Frederik VIII, apparently, a carpenter dug out Smiður and thus it got its name. Sometimes soap was added to Smiður, which made it erupt 3-7 m in the air but the practice stopped in 1992. In the background is Laugarfjall Mountain, and with its elevation of 613 feet, it is easy to climb for a panoramic view of the Geysir Hot Springs Area.
Strokkyr
The Geysir geothermal area is named after the Geysir (in Icelandic term, is derived from the verb gjósa, which means to erupt). However, Geysir becomes dormant after 1916 and may erupted again for a certain period of time after big earthquakes. Hence the Strokkur is the main attraction at the Geysir geothermal area in current times.
Strokkyr is formed in a big earthquake back in 1789 and was active until 1896. It erupts now with approximately an 8-minute interval some 25-35 m into the air. But it may erupt within a shorter timing from time to time. It usually show some signs prior to eruption, so you can keep an eye to the bowl. When it is about to burst, you will see blue bubbles appearing.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss ('Golden Falls') is found in the Hvítá river canyon in Southwest Iceland. Part of the highlights of the Golden Circle, and is easily access from Reykjavík on a day trip. Gullfoss is a tiered Cataract, with a total height of 32 m. It has two falls, of which the longest drop is 21 meters tall. The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70 metres, descending into the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon. During summer, it may be possible to see rainbows form in the spray when it catches the sunlight.
Kerið Crater
Kerið is a volcanic crater lake close to the three major sites that comprise Iceland's world-famous Golden Circle sightseeing route. The caldera itself is approximately 55 m deep, 170 m wide, and 270 m across. Kerið's caldera is one of the three most recognizable volcanic craters because of its red (rather than black) volcanic rock. This is due to its 'young' age of approximately 3,000 years old, half the age of most volcanic calderas in Iceland. The iron deposits are, geologically speaking, fresh.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland's best-known waterfalls. The 60 metres (200 feet) waterfall is located in the South Region, right by Route 1 and the road that leads to Þórsmörk Road 249. Eyjafjallajökull glacier feed meltwater to the river Seljalandsá and descend off the Seljalandsheiði heath in the form of Seljalandsfoss. The most unique feature of this waterfall is the pathway that stretched around it. The cliffs behind the falls have a wide cavern with paths that allow guests to fully encircle it in summer. Visitors must be prepared to be dampened by the perpectual mist of the falls, along with walking cautiously on the slippery pathway.
There is a 40 metre (132 feet) waterfall, Gljúfrabúi, partially hidden behind a rock face that is within walking distance from Seljalandsfoss, and is often overlooked by visitors.
Skógafoss
Skógafoss is one of Iceland's biggest waterfalls with an astounding width of 25 metres (82 feet) and a drop of 60 metres (197 feet). It is located on the Skógá river near the small village of Skógar, south of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano. It is visible from Route 1 and is one of the few waterfalls where the land is flat which allows visitors to walk right up to the wall of water (and being drenched by it in the process). Due to the amount of spray it consistently produces, a single or double rainbow could be visible on sunny days.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, 100 meters (328 feet) deep and two kilometers (1.24 miles) long, with its sheer, turning, and twisting walls where the Fjaðrá river runs through it from a nearby glacier - full of oddly-shaped salient and bumps dotted with soft grass and patches of moss.
Unfortunately, due to its skyrocketing popularity because it was featured in Justin Bieber's I'll Show You video clip, the canyon had to be close for a period of time each year since 2019 to ensure the canyon environment can recover from the damage due to the increase in tourists traffic.
Svartifoss
Svartifoss is a 20 metres (80ft) waterfall surrounded by black columnar basalt formations (which gave rise to its name, Black Fall) in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. The waterall is fed by the ice-cold meltwater from the Svínafellsjökull glacier.
A hike uphill of 1.5 km from the Visitor centre is required. There are other waterfalls, such as Magnúsarfoss, to view along the way. It will take around 90 minutes back and forth with photo stops. Recently, the the waterfall has been fenced off for nature protection, hence viewing will be at a distance.
Breiðamerkurjökull
Breiðamerkurjökull, a glacier tongue from the larger parent Vatnajökull glacier which is the Europe's biggest ice cap. This glacier has retreated by 5.6 km over the last century (15% volume in terms of ice cap), leaving the Jökulsárlón lagoon in its place. It is also the only glacier in Iceland that meets the sea.
By the way, this area is famous and featured in many Hollywood movies and TV shows.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Icebergs
Pieces of icebergs floating in the Jökulsárlón glacier area. Two shades of icebergs can be seen here, milky white or bright blue - colour depends on the air trapped within the ice and is an interplay of light and ice crystals. There are streaks of greyish black lines slicing through them formed by the ashes of volcanic eruptions centuries past.
When they finally make it across the lagoon, they either drifted out to the sea or wash upon the nearby shore.
Breiðamerkursandur "Diamond Beach"
An area nicknamed as "the Diamond Beach" due to the icebergs washed up on its shore, glistering against the black sands of Breiðamerkursandur. This is the place to see and touch the icebergs that floated out of the Jökulsárlón lagoon.
Lindabakki Area Mountains
A cloudy morning, as we were preparing to continue our journey towards Fáskrúðsfjörður. If it was a clear sky, I was told, that we would be able to have a clear view of the Vatnajökull glacier. Despite that, the mood and feel of the area, I felt, is reflected well in this shot.
Seyðisfjarðarkirkja
One of the more recognized churches in Iceland - outside of Reykjavík, especially with the unique blue colour (different from the traditional black colour ones), and the colourful rainbow road that leads to the church. It is an Instagram worthy location, right in the heart of Seyðisfjörður. Troughs of tourists will bide their time to just have photo memories of this location when visiting. Other activities this town has include trail hikes and of course, waterfalls...
One of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty film location was the Seyðisfjarðarvegur road which leads Seyðisfjörður, where with a glimpse of the Fjarðarheiði waterfall in the background as Walter Mitty skateboard down towards the town.