If you’re looking for a truly out of this world experience in Iceland, head to Namaskard Geothermal Area in Mývatn. Namaskard means mine crack, and aptly so because the area was mined for its rich source of sulphur deposits to produce gunpowder. The first thing you’ll notice as you step […]
Yearly Archives: 2018
313 posts
Enter a lava cave to discover an extraordinary ethereal hot spring, turquoise in color. Grjotagja Cave is an easy stop in the Mývatn area for a quick and unforgettable adventure. Two out of the three entrances to the rift are open, descending takes only a minute on the rocky path. […]
Since 1890 the Vogar family has run a farm, today they have 120 sheep, 40 cows, and welcome tourists to enjoy a slice of their life. Whether you’re looking for a nights rest in the guesthouse or a meal at Vogafjós Cowshed Café, this is a delightful place to stop […]
Take a hike up to see the best preserved circular volcanic crater in the world, in Mývatn. You may think if you’ve seen one crater, you’ve seen them all, but I promise you that Hverfjall is different. An explosion 2,500 years ago created one of the largest tephra craters on […]
It is said that when Satan fell from Heaven he landed in Dimmuborgir, creating the Catacombs of Hell. Translating to dark castle, it’s not hard to see why this ominous landscape in Mývatn would bare such a tale. The remarkable jagged stacks make up one of the most visited lava […]
Stroll through an enchanted forest to see strange formations at the end of a peninsula shooting into Lake Mývatn. Hofdi is a place that is different than most in Iceland, it has trees. A couple who summered in the area planted these trees over the years. When the husband passed […]
As you enter the town of Mývatn, the first things you’ll notice on the side of the road are bubbly craters emerging from the water. These aren’t your average craters, with a magma conduit connecting them to the earth’s surface…these are the Pseudo Craters of Skútustaðagígar. Their formation is a […]
Iceland began as a Pagan country, where Vikings worshiped Norse gods. At the turn of the century in year 999 the Speaker of Icelandic Parliament, or the Althing, had a decision to make with increasing pressure for the conversion of his country to Christianity. Thorgeir Thorkelsson himself was a pagan […]
Iceland’s second largest city is nicknamed the Capital of the North, Akureyri is located beside a picturesque fjord, surrounded by mountains. This terrain helps protect the city from strong winds and creates a relatively warm climate. It is a great place to explore and stay between traveling from the Westfjords […]
Dark and mysterious, Icelandic culture is heavily bound with magical elements, from elves to trolls, and darker constituents with deadly human consequences. The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft, also known as Strandagaldur, covers the historical witch trials from the 1600s and describes the casting of bizarre spells to control […]
Picture this: A trinity of oceanfront hot tubs built right into the seawall of a sleepy Westfjord village. Driving through the eastern stretches of the region just around the bend of a mountain are the Drangsnes Hot Pots, set a few feet below the road smack in the middle of the tiny […]
We didn’t have anything major planned on the itinerary for the long drive between Ísafjörður and Drangsnes, other than enjoying the Westfjords scenery – so stopping off to search for seals was a perfect opportunity to stretch our legs. The farmers in the infinitesimal town of Hvitanes have set up […]
After a few days of driving through the Westfjords, characterized by quaint fishing villages and serene picturesque countryside, I’d gotten used to the quiet. Entering Ísafjörður felt like diving into a cosmopolitan city, despite its petite population! It is indeed the largest town in the region, with plenty of excellent […]
Only 2% of visitors to Iceland reach the remote Westfjords, of those few who make the labored journey on the desolate mountain roads mustn’t miss the epic seven-tiered Dynjandi Waterfall. It is the biggest waterfall in the region and one of the most spectacular in the entire country. Dynjandi translates to […]
The drive through the Westfjords is utterly enchanting with its seaside vistas and roadside waterfalls, but at times the journey up and down the gravel mountain track can take its toll on the driver of a little 2WD Toyota Yaris. Located right smack on Road 63 the main road in […]