The lake is fed by nutrient-rich springwater and has a high abundance of aquatic insects (Chironomidae) and Cladocera that form an attractive food supply for ducks, thirteen species of which nest here. The duck species composition is unique in the mixture of Eurasian and North American elements and of boreal and arctic species. Most of […]
On the 3rd day we forcussed on the area around Mývatn.Mývatn is a shallow eutrophic lake in an area of active volcanos in the north of Iceland, not far from the Krafla volcano. The lake and its surrounding wetlands have an exceptionally rich fauna of waterbirds, especially ducks. The lake was created by a large […]
Akureyri is a city in northern Iceland. Akureyri is an important port and fisheries centre, with a population of some 17.500. Akureyri is Iceland’s second largest city, after the greater Reykjavík area.The area where Akureyri is located was settled in the 9th century but did not receive a municipal charter until 1786. The city was […]
After Goðafoss we visited Vaglaskógur.Iceland’s largest continuous forest, which covers most of the eastern valley side south of Ljósavatnsskarð pass. Extending north from it is Hálsskógur forest and to the south are Lundskógur, Thórðarstaðaskógur and Belgsár- and Bakkaselsskógur forests. The different names are due to the land they belong to, but they are in fact […]
AldeyjarfossOn our way to Aldeyjarfoss we still could see Vatnajökul to the South and north of it Askja appeared in the horizon. The Aldeyjarfoss waterfall is situated at the northern part of the Sprengisandur highland road. One of the most interesting features of the waterfall is the contrast between the black basalt columns and the […]
Hrafnarbjargarfoss in the highland east of Akureyri. Hrafnarbjargafoss waterfall is one of the hidden secrets of Þingeyjarsveit County and is found a few kilometres further south in the same river. From Aldeyjarfoss continue to drive along the same road you came in on (842). This road changes into a tertiary road, F-26, a so-called Fjallvegur […]
In the middle of the track through Sprengisandur are a few houses Nýidalur owned by the Icelandic Hiking Club.Nýidalur is a valley on Sprengisandsleið (F26), south of the glacier Tungnafellsjökull. It is a frequent stop for travelers of the highlands.We stayed overnight and were ready to continue at 6 aim where the water was lowest […]
Sprengisandur means three things in Iceland 1. A certain part of the Highlands of Iceland between the glaciers Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull 2. The highland road traversing this region. 3. A very remote airfield with two runways near (but not connected to) the Sprengisandur highway in the highlands On Sprengisandur road The Sprengisandur highland road is […]
Before we went off to Sprengisandur we passed Þórisvatn the largest lake of Iceland, situated at the south end of Sprengisandur highland road within the highlands of Iceland.Þjórsá is Iceland’s longest river at 230 kilometers. It is in the southern region of the island. Þjórsá is a glacier river has its source on the glacier […]
Landmannalaugar (Icelandic, meaning the people’s pools) is a region near the volcano Hekla in tion of Iceland’s highlands. The area displays a number of unusual geological elements, like the multicolored rhyolite mountains and expansive lava fields. The many mountains in the surrounding area display a wide spectrum of colors including pink, brown, green, yellow, blue, […]