Ring Road Iceland - Reykjahlíð

When I arrived in Reykjahlíð I rolled out my map and pinned everything I wanted to see in this area that didn't include the two waterfalls I had to see halfway between Akureyri and Reykjahlíð. There is no end to the breathtaking scenery in this country. So grab a cuppa and let me regale you with my exploits.

On my way to Reykjahlíð, I took a very short detour at Fossholl to checkout Goðafoss. It is a 30m (98ft) wide curved waterfall with a 12m (39ft) drop. Legend says that a lawmaker, who was also a pagan priest, meditated for one day and night and decided in favour of Christianity. When he returned home, he threw his Norse god idols into the nearby waterfall which is now known as Goðafoss, "the waterfall of the gods". The story is illustrated in the window of Akureyri's main church. A further 500m (1,640ft) below Goðafoss is the smaller Geitafoss at about half the width and height which is thought to be swallowed up when the depth of the river increases within the gorge due to floods.

When the volcano Krafla erupted 300 years ago, the townspeople of Reykjahlíð fortunately survived as they huddled in the church up on higher ground where the lava flow stopped. The town itself was completely destroyed. Thankfully today I can use it as a place to visit the nearby natural wonders.

I started with the Myvatn volcanic lake. With its high level of biological activity it provides a habitat for waterbirds such as ducks (15-16 species of duck). The lake began 2300 years ago when a basaltic lava erupted. South of the lake are pseudocraters (aka rootless cones) which look like volcanic craters but are actually formed by steam explosions when flowing lava crosses a wet surface like a lake.

There are many hot springs in the area with contradictory advice if swimmable or not but the following two are worth exploring. Stóragjá for instance is an ancient subterranean cave filled with naturally heated thermal springs. It is a bit of an adventure climbing down a very narrow ravine before clambering into the cave using ropes followed by carved steps. The beautiful blue colour of the water is very inviting but the dangerous algae and lack of filtration makes the spring unsafe for bathers.

The more popular Grjótagjá Cave rose to fame after its appearance in an episode of Game of Thrones. It used to be a popular bathing location until the mid-70s when following an eruption the water temperature rose beyond 50°C (122°F). Due to the liquid rock a mile beneath the surface the temperature remains high making swimming unsafe.

Once I surfaced from the subterranean caves, I took a hike onto Hverfjall Crater. Described as a tephra cone or tuff ring volcano, it is one of the largest of its kind in the world due to its 1km (0.6mi) diameter. The 396m (1300ft) walk up a steep path and around the crater's rim provides a great view of the Myvatn region and nearby lava fields.

The Myvatn Nature Baths is beckoning me for a leisurely steam bath in its alkaline lagoon but first one final stop at Hverir to see the boiling mud pits and steaming fumaroles that emit sulphuric gases. The pits are surrounded by colourful sulphur crystals which unfortunately give off a strong egg-like smell. The area's high acidity levels inhibits vegetation from growing.

It's time for my geo-thermal soak.

Cheerio,

Richard



PS. Experience our virtual challenges in real life - The Conqueror Adventures

The team at The Conqueror Challenges
https://www.theconqueror.events