As the little hike and the weather ate pretty much of energy, drove to a restaurant and ate and continued to Dyrhólaey. As we left Skogafoss, the scenary changes from flat road to long hilly roads and the mammoth Myrdalsjokull leaves nothing else to view. Its bad enough that we cant see anything other than the base of it. Clouds covered the rest of it and the drizzling turned itself into a strong rain. I was worried about the rest of the day but had hopes that it wont be that bad. A quick right turn from the road “1” to “218” takes us to Dyrhólaey.
This is a promontory with steep cliffs that extend into the sea with the highest elevation at 115m. There are 3 gaps pass through at water level. This island was formed by a volcanic eruption 100 thousand years ago. Haidrangur is the highest of the sea stacks here.
This place is full of corroded sea cliffs quietly show the vastness. The place and its ash (almost black) colored beach earned its name Black sand beach. Some pictures that I took here exactly black and white in normal modes. A small walk on the beach would be a one in lifetime experience. The way those small pebbles rumbling under the shoes itlsef say 100 things. Cliff views and beach walks wanted me to stay there for longer, but honestly I hadnt even crossed half of the destination, let alone return to base.
Actually route 218 splits just before Dyrhólaey and generally people take the straight road but the right turn takes us on a mountain road thats just good enough for skilled driver and a supporting 4×4 which is the real Dyrhólaey viewing point. The other one takes us to the black sand beach. That drive was really thrilling but the Kia Sportage didnt even moan about it. I was the one who was pale whenever a car wanted the side of the road to cross and I had to face a bus as well. I just prayed that the SUV stays on the slippery mountain road.
Reynisdrangar
This place is actually ‘seen’ from Dyrhólaey itslef but to reach there one has to go back to route “1” and then take route “215” which is little more than 20 kms and the drive the drive will ask for constant alertness as the road is really small. An impressive sight from the shore, the sea stacks are called as Reynisdrangar are only a short distance from land. They are named Skessudrangur, Langhamar and Landdrangur.
Halsanefshellir
Even though I was way behind my schedule, didnt want to miss this place for anything. We drove to this place thinking no one would be around just to see more than 50 cars parked. We walked to the beach and the wind was nothing less than bone chilling. There is a famous cavern called Halsanefshellir one of the basalt formation which could be explored only when the weather permits. We were lucky enough to take a quick walk into it.
Laufskalavarda
Almost every tourist passby this road create a small tower stacking small stones. The reason is, in 894, an eruption destroyed Katla (this farm). The neighboring farm was Dunskogar, home of the settler Hrafn Hafnarlykill, and the region was known as Dynskogahverfi. Sources state that there were 24 doors on iron hinges at Laufskalar. The lava mound which is known as Laufskalavarda named after this farm. Entire area is made of the molten lava and right after the rain, green moss comes to life and makes the place very unique.
Skaftafell (Vatnajokull nationak park)
Officially marks the entrance to the Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður, give up reading the name please. 🙂 Serious hikers are seen here. This is a place one can walk up to the mouth of a glacier. However, the weather and time didnt permit me for either of it. So I had to use a small break and rushed to my last stop before going back all the way to selfoss. Skaftafell has a hiking track that takes to Black waterfall on asphalt rocks – its a 2km trail from skaftafell visitor center.
0 Comments