Iceland 2024 - Part II

We relocated to Hvolsvollur to a rented apartment for the remainder of our stay. On Tuesday, we had booked a super-jeep tour of the interior with Midgard Adventures, conveniently located a few blocks away. We had a wonderful driver/guide and she started us off with a drive along a black sand beach near Landeyjahofn. The seas were angry and the wea

The tour began in earnest as we ventured inland on Road 249, which turned into F249 and then the real fun began! F-Roads are rough gravel and rock "roads" which only 4x4 vehicles can travel, which often include several unbridged river crossings. We followed F249 up the river valley and into stunning Thorsmork to a summer camp. We hiked up steep Valahnukur for a scenic panorama of the valley and glaciers on either side, Myrdalsjokull to the left and Eyjafjallajokull to the right.

After a picnic lunch at the base of the hill, we started back, stopping for another hike into gorgeous Stakkholtsgja canyon, one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones. Our guide also took us to a secret troll cave, where we hiked up and in and then down into the cave. On our way back to town, she made one final stop at Gluggafoss waterfall before returning us to the Midgard base camp. We stayed and enjoyed an incredible burger and some local smoked salmon and craft beer.

The next day, we caught the ferry to the Westman Islands off the south coast, and made a chilly ascent up the Eldfell volcano. In 1973, this one erupted and buried much of Heimaey town in lava. At the base, we walked the lava field with maps showing the various buildings buried thirty feet below our feet. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch at Voruhusid in town before walking back to the ferry terminal.

After another long and tiring day, we returned to the apartment to make dinner and relax for the evening, with an eye on the skies for more Northern Lights! With few TV channels to choose from, we found a Polish station playing rock and pop videos from the 70's, 80's and 90's to entertain us as we charged our devices and recharged our own batteries. 

Midgard Super-jeep!

River crossing following F249 into Thorsmork

Stunning Thorsmork valley and Myrdalsjokull glacier

Walking back down Valahnukur

Hike into Stakkholtsgja canyon

Emerging from a troll cave!

Borg Apartments in Hvolsvollur

Catching the electric ferry....

...to the Westman Islands!

Part of Heimaey town buried under lava

Hiking Eldfell volcano

Waiting to catch the ferry back to the "mainland"