My recent trip to Iceland was one of my favorite adventures. It’s impossible to describe the country’s natural beauty without using superlatives. Volcanic activity is evident everywhere. Clouds of steam billow from volcanic vents, geysers shoot boiling water high into the air, and natural hot springs are abundant. In early June, the rugged moon-like terrain is covered with purple lupins, and the volcanic crags are home to thousands of nesting water birds. Waterfalls, each one more stunning than the one before, are around every corner.
We rented a car and drove the popular Golden Circle Route in Pingviller National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site) with its numerous waterfalls, views of distant glaciers, and the site of the first parliament in Iceland. At Geysir Thermal Area we watched hot steam erupt 20 meters into the air from the Great Geyser, while bubbling mud pots of boiling water surrounded us. Gullfoss (Gold Waterfall) and the nearby volcanic crater are stunning.
The Ring Road led us to the small, picturesque village of Vik. Along the way we visited countless gorgeous waterfalls. At Seljalandsfoss, we were able to walk behind the waterfall. An incredible experience! Well worth the soaking from the spray. Sea arches, basalt columns, sea stacks, and sea caves sit amidst black sand beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a two-hour drive from Reykavik, is an area where few tourists travel. Hexagonal basalt columns, deep ravines, volcanic craters, cliffs, sea arches, and a miles-long beautiful white sand beach are overseen by a towering volcano topped with a massive glacier.
Next we flew to Eastern Iceland, and from there we travelled an hour to the tiny fishing village of Borgarfordour. We spent the next five days trekking in this rugged, pristine area through knee-deep snow, and across steep volcanic slopes with beautiful vistas of glacier-covered mountains. The hiking was strenuous and the wind biting, but the adventure was well worth the effort as we watched seals frolick in the aquamarine waters of a small bay and a herd of reindeer ford an ocean inlet. Hundreds of nesting puffins watched us from their perches on the volcanic rocks.
The local food of fish and lamb and hearty bread is delicious, to say nothing of the milk chocolate-covered liquorice treats I inhaled by the handful. The people are friendly and generous, and combined with out-of-this world scenery, Iceland is a must-see country.
c.b.clark 