The Kjölur Route
The mountainous center of Iceland, with its glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields is like nothing else you have ever experienced. A true pearl for all nature lovers, far away from the world’s turmoil. You will discover the fascinating wilderness of one of the most popular and inaccessible highland roads of Iceland. The Kjölur route, only accessible during the summer, is intimately associated with many legends and mysteries of Icelandic history. Discovered by the earliest settlers and recorded in the Book of Settlements, Kjölur area was known for outlaws, thieves , ghosts and evil spirits. The desert and hard conditions of the region provided them a shelter… This unique road offers amazing natural treasures and breathtaking panoramas.
Geysir & Strokkur
Two perfect examples of the raw power of Icelandic nature. Geysir, a geothermal field located in the southern part, is a set combining hot springs, a dome and a volcanic cone, which are the remains of an old volcano. This volcanic area became active for about a thousand years. Geysir may reject a column of boiling water in the air, up to 70 meters. However its eruptions are not frequent. However Strokkur is extremely active and never stops. Every 5 or 10 minutes, hot water rises up from it and could reach 30 meters up. Its power as much as its regularity always impress the visitors. The pools of boiling mud (with boiling water and steam) that are located in the geothermal field are also a curiosity not to be missed.
Gullfoss
The waterfall of Gullfoss is named “The Golden Waterfall” due to the rainbows that offers golden colors above the gorges on days with a good weather. The waterfall up of 32 meters are nourished with the soft water of Langjökull glacier. The water rushes noisily in a large canyon. Some bright droplets, hanging in the air, decorate it. When the weather is fine, you will be able to go down next to the falls and approach closer to the gorges. You will letting yourself taken away with the powerful and incessant sounds of the waterfall. The Gullfoss site is a true natural treasure, a symbol of the delicate and wild Icelandic landscapes, an unforgettable vision.
Langjökull
We continue our journey on the road near “The Long Glacier” (about 50 km long and 15-20 km wide). The glacier lies over a massif of hyaloclastite mountains that rise highest in the south and the east. The tops of these mountains can be seen in certain places on the glaciers. The landscape is mind-blowing, and once again the nature shows us that it does wonders.
Hofsjökull
If the weather is clear we will be lucky to see Hofsjökull, the third largest glacier in Iceland and the largest active volcano in the country. The area is still dynamic and a great geothermal activity takes place in the surroundings. The environment is very diverse, both in shape and color. When you look this amazing place, you truly understand the amazing power of the nature.
Kerlingarfjöll
The mountain massif Kerlingarfjöll is the main ornament in the chain of mountains and glaciers framing the Kjölur area. Kerlingarfjöll means the ”Old Woman’s Mountain”. This name was inspired by an ancient folktale about an old lady troll who was coming back to home after hunting and who forgot to retreat from the light. She was turned to stone in the sunrise… You can get a glimpse of her silhouette carved in a tuff stone pillar of 25 meters high. Formed by a volcanic eruption, Kerlingarfjöll is a fascinating place with an incredible flow of colors due to the diverse geology of the mountain. The volcanic rhyolite stones of shimmering red brings out the wonderful colors of yellow and green of the numerous hot springs and rivulets. The place have been used as a filming location several times for the stunning, dramatic surroundings and landscapes. The colorful volcanic system is crossed by gorgeous valleys and offers a lot of hiking paths – suitable for all, in this peaceful and remote place.
Þingvellir
An unusual place in the world. Over thousands of years the geological movements have formed what is now the land of the national park. An ancient glacier warmed up, a rift between the tectonic plates has been opened, a volcano extinct. All of this makes the incredible character of the landscape of this region. The nature is luxuriant, some flamboyant colors contrast with the dark ground. The park’s wildlife is also very rich. The place has also a great historical meaning : the world’s oldest existing parliament established since 930. At the south of the park is the lake Þingvallavatn. It is the largest natural lake in Iceland. Because of the peculiarity of the ground, the lake ecosystem is particularly abundant with flora and fauna extremely diversified. Since 2004 þingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is considered to be a national treasure.
