Travel in Iceland between Volcanoes, Glaciers and Northern Lights

Iceland is fashionable. To be honest, until recently I did not have the remotest idea of what this country could offer us. When the possibility of traveling to Iceland last winter came up, I loved the idea. During the preparation for the trip, I was already thinking that I was going to a place that I am not used to. My parents kept telling me to be careful with the snow, the ice, the road, and the glaciers.

My idea was to drive around the country. I decided to trust a travel agency to advise and book the accommodations that best suited our itinerary and budget. I had to travel via London. In addition, the travel agency already warned us that it is a quite expensive country and that in one day we can have four seasons from spring to winter. So when I was recommended to hire a 4x4 I did not think twice and I did so.

For the period that I was going to travel, I put thermal clothing, the ski jacket (just in case), blizzard glasses, hiking boots, and many warm sweaters (in addition to sausage, ham, and cheese) in the suitcases.

Day 1 - Reykjavik

It's 10:30. I just opened my eyes on the plane after a long nap, which is sure to come in handy for the day ahead. When I look out the window of the plane and observe Iceland from the sky, I begin to realize the magnitude of the island and perceive all the contrasts that I will discover during the next days.

The plane lands normally after the stopover in Frankfurt. We got off the plane and got ready to pick up our carry-on luggage. Once we have collected our luggage, we go to the car rental house, but before, we stop to have our first breakfast at the airport. We ordered a cappuccino coffee and donut.

We hired a car and set course to Reykjavik. We make a visit, but without delay, through the capital. We went to our accommodation in Reykjavik which is very well located on highway 40. We arrived easily taking the 41 from the airport to the detour from Highway 40 that goes directly to the Guesthouse. It is on the third and fourth floors of an ugly gray building. The reception is on the third floor inside the dining room and it was not easy to find it. We were received by a very nice girl.

We have a room with private bathroom and breakfast included. It is without a doubt the worst accommodation we have had, but I do not say it is bad. The room is a bit shabby, but the beds are very comfortable. The duvets are gorgeous. The heating is great and the bathroom small, but it's worth it. The only downside is the price. With what we paid we expected a little more luxury, although it was the cheapest thing I found with private bathroom.

We got warm and took umbrellas because it rained a lot and we got to see the capital of Iceland. We had put the GPS to go to the Hallgrimskirkja, which is the church. All cars try to access and none could. There was no way to get close to the center of the city. Everything was cut.

And looking for the way to access, we ran into a policeman who noticed that we did not have a front license plate. He pulled us aside. We explained that it was a rental car and that we had been told there was no problem. We showed him the contract. After about ten minutes he told us we could continue, but that the police were going to stop us all over the country.

During the trip, we saw very little police and none stopped us. We have seen many cars without front registration and some without registration. And thanks to this since the cop ordered us to pull down a street, we found parking in a field where we parked free and very close to the center, next to the port.

From the car park, we were very close to this famous hot dog stall located on Tryggvagata Street. We were not hungry with what we had been fed on the two flights, but it was lunchtime and we had to try them. They are very good, and the secret is the mustard sauce with honey and the crunchy onion.

Next to the hot dog stall begins the main street of Laugavegur. It is a pedestrian street that has a lot of charm. There were musical groups singing and many things that caught our attention. We reached Lake Tjornin from which there are beautiful views of the Frikirkjan I Reykjavik church and that was all cloudy.

From Laugavegur street, we walk to the Hallgrimskirkja, Lutheran Church, spectacular on the outside and inside. In front is a statue of Leif Eriksson who arrived in America 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The Church was full of people singing and playing classical music. They gave us a little book so that we could join the song, but it was in Icelandic and we did not understand anything.

Our next stop was the most important sculpture in Reykjavik called Solfar, which is the skeleton of a Viking ship. Moving on, we come across the Harpa, a modern building that houses a concert hall and conference center. It was crowded with people. Inside there are restaurants, bars, and exhibitions.

In the harbor, very close to the Harpa Building and from where we left the car is the famous and picturesque Saegreifinn. The grandfather was a fisherman who kept his nets in this building that became a tavern. Here the costliest and cheapest fish in Reykjavik is served. It was already dinner time and we were very clear that we wanted to have dinner. There were many people and we had to wait a while, but it made up for it.

The prices are affordable and the fish is so fresh that it does not smell like fish. It has a counter with products and prices. We choose what we want. They give us a number and they serve us at the table. The most famous is the lobster soup with pieces of lobster served with plenty of bread. According to the New York Times, it is the best lobster soup in the world.

There are also skewers of different fish that are delicious and are so fresh that they do not taste like fish. We have the salmon skewer, which is exquisite. We also tried one of a white fish that we did not know and that was delicious.

The whale cap is very typical. There is also a large whale steak. We took the lid, to try and is not bad, but the other fish are richer. The place is a bit seedy, but it has the charm of being a traditional place and the food is to die for. After dinner, we went to sleep after a long day and tomorrow we had to get up early to start the journey to the island.

Day 2 - Akureyri

It's 7:30 am when the alarm goes off. The night before we looked at a breakfast place that opens at 8:00. There is toast, cold meats, cereals, some sweet or muffins, hard-boiled eggs, tomato, cucumber, yogurt or skyr, coffee, infusions, jams and some fruit. We have breakfast, we collect and we leave. It was cold, but the sun was shining.

We have little time since we have to go more than 400 km to Akureyri. We want to make the most of the daylight hours, as it dawns around 9:15 and the sunset is at 5:50 pm. We decided to go many kilometers on the first day, to be able to visit the north on our trip, since we did not want to give up anything. After strolling through the capital and visiting the most famous church (Hallgrimskirkja) we set off on the way to Akureyri.

Before leaving, we went through a supermarket. It is easily recognizable, in its logo. We make a purchase to have food during the trip. We begin to realize that Iceland is a very expensive country. Practically, the whole trip is through the Ring Road. The road is not what we expected, rather bad and somewhat narrow. On this route, we have to overtake several trucks.

Following the 1 before arriving at Akranes there is an underwater tunnel and is the only toll road in Iceland. Before reaching Borgarnes and before crossing the bridge over the lake, we took the Hvanneyri road on the right and continued on until we came to the right on 518. Following 518 we passed through the town of Reykholt. It is famous because it was the birthplace of Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic writer.

We continued on the 518 until we saw a sign to the left that indicates Hraunfossar and that leads to a parking lot. All these roads, although they are of double direction, are good and are paved. There are two pedestrian paths from the parking lot. The one on the left leads to the Hraunfossar waterfalls in less than a minute and the one on the right to Barnafoss, although at the end the two roads meet and form a unique circuit.

Haraunfossar waterfall is different from all the others. Normally the waterfalls inside a river, however, Hraunfossar is a set of jets that come out as from inside the earth and fall to the river Hvita. It was our first waterfall and we loved it. In the same Hvita river, a little higher is Barnafoss waterfall.

It has a macabre story of some children who drowned years ago at Christmas. Apparently, there was a natural stone bridge to cross the waterfall and the children fell. The mother destroyed the bridge and now they have made a wooden bridge. We go back and continue on the north and immediately left a detour to Deildartunguhver.

It is a thermal area from which water comes out at 90 degrees and which serves as heating to nearby towns. It's typical to bring sausages and eggs to cook them in the water and eat them right there, but we did not see anyone who did it. We continue to Akureyri. After a few kilometers, we saw the sign that announced Glanni on the right.

At the entrance the road forks in two. We take the one to the left and reach the parking lot, where there are a cafeteria and a shop. The pedestrian path goes straight on until we start to hear the noise of the waterfall. Located on the Noroura River, they say it is the home of Elves and Trolls.

Our next stop was the village of Blonduos. We wanted to see the church called Blonduoskirkja that has the shape of a volcano crater. We take the opportunity to exchange money in a bank and to buy in a supermarket some salads, cold meat, a small bread loaf pack, and water.

We stopped to eat on the road on the way to Akureyri, in a place with wooden tables. On all the roads of Iceland, it is common to find places with tables to eat. Sometimes they are located in beautiful places. The problem is that often an icy wind blows and there is no stopping. Our next stop is Akureyri, which is the second largest city in Iceland, after Reykjavik.

We parked next to the Akureyrikirkja, which is the main church. It is up and we have to climb a nice flight of stairs full of flowers. From above the views of the harbor are very beautiful. From Akureyri, we continue to Godafoss, where we have our accommodation next to the waterfall. A few kilometers before arriving we can already see the cloud of water.

We check-in our accommodation. The room has a private bathroom and is more than enough to spend the night. Before we take a tour of Akureyri, we visit its small port and stroll for a while. We start the trip in our car, always by the hand of the Ring Road. After settling in, we went to see the Cascade.

We are on our way to Godafoss. Once we have arrived, we get off and observe that wonder of nature. We are there for a good time. We observe it from several sides, take photos, and videos. At times we slip on the ground at this time, since there are many frozen areas.

On highway 1 we take the detour to the right to begin our visit with the pseudocraters. Located around Lake Stakholstjorn which is a small lake south of Lake Myvatn. They are called pseudocraters because they are volcanoes from which lava has never come. I do not know why I thought I was not going to like it, but I loved it.

There is a path on the left that leads to a garden with flowers. Through the garden, we reach the lake, where the Klasar is, which are lava formations in the water. The whole set is beautiful. We continue on 848 and on the right is the sign of the detour to Dimmuborgir. They are black lava formations with strange shapes.

There are several routes all marked by stakes of different colors. We choose the shortest route and follow the red stakes to the Kirkja a formation that they say is like a cathedral, although to me it seems more like a cave or a tunnel.

We get back on track to go to the volcanic ash cone of Hverfjall. From the road, we identify it with ease, that perfectly defined cone that as we approach, we realize the size. The access road is not paved, but it circulates quite well, even with a tourist. Already at the base, we ascend to the crown by the path towards it and discover the interior. We see unbeatable views of Lake Myvatn, fumaroles and other places around it.

We continue on highway 848 until we reach the 1. We take to the left towards the town of Reykjahlid which consists of a gas station, a supermarket, and hotels. We loaded gasoline and bought a salad, salmon, tomatoes, peaches, water and a baguette. At the door of the supermarket, there were many large wooden tables to eat. We look for a place and we take our refreshment.

We see the Storagja. It is as if the ground had been cracked and inside it has a lot of vegetation. Following the road 1 to the right, there is a detour to Grjotagja, an asphalted road that leads to the parking of the cave. There is a panel that explains the history of the cave and says it is dangerous because stones are shed. It is a very photogenic cave and it is one of the places we were most interested in seeing.

We continue along the 1 until we find the sign to the right of Hverir. Before the detour, fumes can be seen from the road. Hverir is a geothermal area of fumaroles and boiling mud. It is an amazing landscape and the smell of sulfur is very intense.

We take the car again to go to the Krafla Power Station. Not long ago, this volcano last erupted! We visited the Viti crater, with its famous lake inside. It is beautiful, and all snowy around with fumaroles everywhere. We get one of the best views so far. The brown color of the volcano contrasts with the blue of the water. Here also that intense wind blew that does not let us breathe, that leaves us frozen and that makes it difficult to take pictures. But the place is beautiful.

After Krafla, we set course for Dettifoss, but a calculation error with gasoline, makes us turn halfway and change the order of the route. There are stretches where we do not see a gas station in hundreds of kilometers and if you do not make a good forecast, you can have a very unpleasant setback. Going back on 863, we go out to the right and take the detour to Leirhnjukur.

On this road, we can see large esplanades with curious bulges on the ground that I do not know what they are, but I liked them and I photographed them.

We returned practically to Lake Myvatn and we took advantage of the return to visit the Myvatn Natural Baths, which we had planned for the last hour, but decided to overtake it. It was an interesting experience to bathe at 40 degrees being outdoors at about 2 degrees. The worst of this experience is the stretch from the locker room to the water with the cold outside! It gets dark at the lagoon.

On the way to our accommodation, we have to postpone the visit to Dettifoss for the next morning at first hour, due to the calculation error with the fuel. Our accommodation is in a place in the middle of nowhere, ideal to see auroras, away from anywhere. It is a house with several rooms and shared bathroom.

We took the swimsuits, bathrobes, towels, and flip-flops and went to the Jardbodin Myvatn Nature Baths. They are thermal baths similar to the Blue Lagoon, but a little smaller and cheaper. We had a huge luck because it was 6 in the afternoon and it was sunny. The water is hot that gives pleasure.

As soon as we enter we begin to notice that the skin becomes soft. The hair does not get wet. We spent two hours in the water enjoying and relaxing. We also tried the sauna that was at a higher temperature. To end the day, we decided to try our luck with the local cuisine. We look for a place to have dinner.

There are not many people in the streets or on the premises. We chose one near the hotel and we opted for what in principle would be a salad and a sandwich. Both are not what we expected. We went to our cabin that was warm and very nice.

Will we be lucky tonight with the northern lights? Tonight I put the alarm clock at 00:30 and 2:30 am. At that time, there was foresight, that the sky was a little clear. When I go out with half an eye open and expecting to meet Aurora, there is not one, and I go back to bed feeling sad. Another night that escapes us and without news of the northern lights, maybe, because the skies are mostly cloudy.

Day 3 - Djupivogur

The day dawned with an intense fog. In front of our cabin, there were two tents on a field of green grass. The day was sunny, although it was a bit cold. After having breakfast we left for Dettifoss. We have to go back about 15 km on our route, but without a doubt, it's worth it.

On the way to Dettifoss even on the Ring Road, we had to be careful, as the road is totally frozen. The winter tires, with their nails installed, do their job perfectly and the truth is that we practically do not notice the ice circulating at an adequate speed.

We left the Ring Road, to take the 862. This road defines Iceland to perfection. In just 30 kilometers, we get to see three completely different landscapes. We begin with all the white landscapes of the snow of the previous night, to go to the places of golden color with their endless fields and rivers. Later we find dark landscapes.

Everything the Iceland travel guide tells us about Dettifoss is little. Until you are there and you truly feel it, with its flow, that enormous force that it gives off. The deafening sound of its fall is something almost indescribable. This mighty cataract in Europe, without a doubt, is wonderful. On the way back, we took the route to visit its little sister, Selfoss where we see a rainbow.

We left soon, as we have a long drive ahead of more than 400 kilometers ahead. The day is very cloudy and something tells us that it will be a very hard day. The initial idea is to get to Egilsstadir and from there take the 92, then take the 96 and skirt the eastern fjords with the car on the way to our accommodation in Hofn.

The road to Egilsstadir was beautiful, full of waterfalls that fell from the mountains, but suddenly there was a closed fog that we saw nothing. It forced us to move very slowly. We thought it would be a mountain pass, but the fog no longer abandoned us all morning. We arrived at Egilsstadir after going through beautiful landscapes.

The city of Egilsstadir was also mired in fog. We eat there in the restaurant, guided by the opinions of Tripadvisor. We have a hamburger, a salad, and a coke. We entered a supermarket to restock the food. We stop to buy at the supermarket a can of tuna, chips, yogurt, a salad, sliced bread, cold cuts and some other things.

We also load diesel at the gas station. We left for Hofn, via fjords east. From this moment, it starts to rain until we arrive at the accommodation. Our idea was to explore one of the most spectacular Mjoifjordur fjords, but the weather was against us and in the end, we could not.

The fog was very intense, but we still wanted to try it. The 953 is a difficult and narrow gravel road, with steep climbs and descents. The problem is that as we entered each time the fog was more intense and there came a time when we did not see the road. We do not see any car. We did not know where the road continued and what we did know, because we got off the car is that we had a river and a cliff on both sides of the road.

To turn around was an odyssey because there was no space. In sections, the rain becomes very intense and we have to drive very slowly. The road does not help since most of what we have at the sides is water and more water. This is the most stressful time of the trip because we have to pay close attention to driving and the conditions are horrible.

We were very sad because this fjord was one of the things we were most excited to see. At the crossroads where 96 becomes 1, there are several indications. We took the one to Djupivogur. Our next stop is this fishing village that preserves an 18th-century house, the famous Langabud red house. In front of the house, there is a little harbor.

On Highway 1, after passing the new tunnel, after a few kilometers, we take a path to Dynjandi. The guesthouse is next to Highway 1 and can be seen from the road. It is a set of white houses with red roofs. After an exhausting trip, we finally arrived at the bed and breakfast. It is the cheapest accommodation we have had in Iceland.

With a private bathroom, everything is very new and the staff quite attentive and friendly. Will the Aurora come tonight? The forecast is not good, but we do not lose hope.

Day 4 - Vatnajokull

A new day begins, with completely clear skies. It invites us to think, that tonight may be the time to see the Aurora Borealis. In the accommodation we have breakfast. They also have a very large map in the corridor, on which they gave us a series of explanations and tips. The first visit we are going to make today is the Flaajokull Glacier.

We left on the way to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. It is another glacial lagoon of the Vatnajokull Glacier. We passed the white bridge and parked on the other side. Seals are seen from that area and indeed, we saw a few, although they are elusive and we did not have time to photograph them. I have to admit, I did not have too many expectations at this point, despite reading other travel blogs on this place.

When we are on your way along the road we start to find those huge tongues of the glacier which appear in the mountains. We begin to realize that something big is about to be visualized. When we get to the lagoon and see the huge ice debris, which wanders through the water, to the open sea, it is a unique sensation. The picture is spectacular.

The real icebergs collide and hit the water. We spent a lot of time watching the lagoon, observing all the details and do not get tired of looking again and again. A magical place that impressed us like no other. Then we go down to the beach to see more closely the huge pieces of ice that are stranded on the shore.

The lagoon is beautiful with lots of drifting icebergs. It has a part that overlooks the sea where ice blocks escape. Precisely for that reason, it does not freeze, because the water of the lagoon is mixed with salt water. We continue along highway 1 until the detour to the Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon of leaves on the right.

This lagoon is smaller, but very beautiful because we can see the tongue of the glacier very close. We go to Skaftafellvegur following it until the end we reach the parking of the Skaftafell National Park.

We leave for the Vatnajokull National Park. We have read that the round trip to Svartifoss is 1:30 hours approximately, so we go with margin to complete it with hours of light. The road is quite pleasant, as the views that the glacier gives us of snowy mountains of Hundafoss are quite spectacular.

Svartifoss is beautiful, like almost everything on this island. It is a magical fall. We can observe the fall of the water for several minutes without blinking. We went back to the parking lot, bought groceries at the supermarket and ate right there at some wooden tables. We continue until on the right the asphalted road Geirland comes out.

Immediately to the left there is a parking lot next to a gate with a gate. We open the door and follow a path that runs parallel to Highway 203, until in the middle of the field we come across the church floor or Kirkjugolf, which are hexagonal slabs that seem to be made by man. On the same road further on is the Stjornarfoss waterfall.

Following the 1, we took the 206 Laki on the right. We go to Fjadrargljufur canyon. It is a deep gorge through which the Fjardrar river passes forming small rapids and pools. There is a road next to the canyon marked with stakes and ropes. It ends with a small waterfall of a jet. We return to the road to go to our new accommodation. Tonight we sleep in Kirkjubaejarklaustur.

At the reception, they ask us if we want an alarm in case Aurora appears there. The prediction is at 3 on the scale from 0 to 9, which leaves the level at a moderate. He explains that the skies are completely clear and therefore it is likely that we will be lucky. We crossed our fingers.

We wanted to have dinner at the famous restaurant on Highway 1. Upon entering it is a kind of store and at the back is the restaurant. There are dishes at a good price like fish and chips, hamburger, soup. We have burger, sandwich, and beer.

It's 11:45. I've been going through several websites that predict the activity of the Northern Lights. Everything indicates that this will be our great night. The tripod is deployed, camera settings prepared (ISO 800, f1.8) and the battery is at full charge. We keep warm clothes next to the door and then someone rings the doorbell.

A tingling sensation runs through my whole body. The sensation is similar to that of a small child, who gets up in the morning on the Three Kings Day and expects to find everything full of toys. The first reaction is to go outside. I run back to take the camera and pretend to have not seen anything in the sky.

I run with the camera in hand and look north and there it is. It is not very intense, but enough to enjoy it. It seems to dance. I move, I stumble, and I do not want to lose any detail. It's a magical, unique event, that I do not want to see it end. We enjoyed our date with Aurora for about 15 minutes. It has been magnificent. I feel peace within. It's time to rest, but I can not sleep. I can not stop looking at the pictures again and again.

Day 5 - Selfoss

We get up early from sleep. It has been a magical night. We come to the dining room to regain strength. I greet everyone as I feel good. We pick up and take the car once more to continue with our path. Our first stop is in Vik I Myrdal. We take the opportunity to pour gasoline and replenish our supplies.

A little further on is the road to the beach from which we get the best views of the three trolls called Reynisdrangur, which are three basalt rocks in the sea. In the end, there is a parking and some stairs to go down to the black sand beach.

From there we went to the Dyrholaey beaches. I love the sea, its strength, and the waves crashing against the rocks. Those black sand beaches transmit strength. We spent a good time watching the picture left by the beaches and the sun. Then we went to the gravel road that leads to the lighthouse and the Dyrholaey cliff.

We set off to visit the abandoned plane on the black beach of Solheimasandur. We see a Douglas DC-3 airliner that crashed in the 70s and belonged to the US Navy. All the crew members were saved, but they left the plane abandoned and since then it has become a benchmark for lovers of photography, especially on the polar light nights.

It's about 10km before we get to Skogar. On highway 1 after passing a road on the right that indicates Myrdalsjokull 10, further on there is another road on the left that leads to the plane. The road that reaches the plane is closed and therefore, we continue on foot. From the car park to the plane are 4 km. So we make a sign at the beginning.

Well, we finished, a walk of 8 km, but the place is interesting and the history of the plane, even more. What remains of the plane, is well preserved. It is a good place for photography lovers like me. There is also a food stand that sells hot soup and some salmon sandwiches. We ate in front of the waterfall on some wooden tables.

We headed towards Skogafoss, one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. It is beautiful from a distance and when we get close until we almost get under, it leaves us breathless to feel the force of the waterfalls. There is a path, which goes up to the top, which gives us another perspective of Skogafoss. The stage is 12km to Thorsmork, but we only made about 4km and we came back.

Our next stop is Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the supposedly unique one, which we access behind the falling curtain of water. We do the trek to see its interior, where we have a different perspective when observing these wonders of nature.

At the exit, we discovered almost by chance, that there is another Gljufrafoss waterfall also called Gljufrabui. It is a waterfall with a lot of charm since we have to access the inside of a cave, crossing the small river that comes out of it on foot. 10km further on, following the F249, through which normal cars can not circulate, is the Nauthusagil waterfall.

From here, we went through the Eyjafjallajokull Visitor Center, a center created as a result of its last eruption. We learned a lot of information, but nothing new that I cannot find on the internet. It is a passage on our way to the golden circle. We decided to go to rest, because the walk has been hard and we prefer to charge batteries, for the next day.

We went to Selfoss where we have our accommodation. This city is very well located to visit Landmannalaugar and the Golden Triangle. It is also one of the cheapest accommodation places. We have rented an apartment very well located in front of the church of Selfoss, the Selfosskirkja.

We went to a pizzeria and ordered a BBQ pizza, to take away. They told us to come back in an hour, so we went to the supermarket and buy breakfast and food for tomorrow. We ate the pizza in the apartment warm because in the street the wind blew and it was cold to death. We went to bed early.

Day 6 - Landmannalaugar

We are going to make one of the most desired excursions to the mountains of colors at Landmannalaugar. From Selfoss, we took the highway 1 towards Vik. On this road, we find the last gas station in Hrauneyjar. Due to the construction of the Hrauneyjar Hydroelectric Plant, the entire route is paved roads.

There was a time when we thought we are lost. We did not see any cars and there are places where there is no road or there seems to be no road. Finally, in the distance, we saw that a bus was coming towards us in the opposite direction. When we passed we saw that it was going to Landmannalaugar. That meant we were going well.

Then on the right, we take the F224, which is also infernal, ending at the Brennisteinsalda campsite. Upon arrival, we leave the car in a parking lot that is just before. Then we come to the campsite where there is a cafeteria, and an Information and Tourism booth. Next, to it, there are boards indicating the different routes. We take the simplest route to the Brennisteinsalda Mountain.

We take the path indicated by Laugavegur and we follow the red stakes. The first thing we find is a jet of very hot water that goes to the river and that is the one that heats the water in the pool where people bathe. Next to the jet begins a steep and ascending road, which scared us a little. We thought that the whole way was going to be like that, but fortunately, it becomes flat within a few meters.

The road goes around inside the Laugahraun lava field, full of black and rough rocks. From here we can see the Brennisteinsalda, a large, brown mountain that stands out above all others. Afterward, we climb some slopes and arrive at a fumarole area with a sulfur odor.

At the end of the fumaroles, several roads come together and you have to change the color of the stakes. Now we follow the green ones that lead to the top of the Brennisteinsalda. The climb goes bordering the mountain and is simple, although as it is logical to be climb tires. The views from above leave us speechless and the strong wind cuts our breath away.

Up there was only us and a Chinese man, who asked us to take a picture of him. To go back we took the Graenagil road, following the white stakes. This road is shorter, but it is a goat trail, going up and down rocks constantly. We met some Japanese who came with big backpacks for trekking and asked us if there was much left.

Once at the campsite, we considered whether to swim in the pool of hot water, but it was very cold. We saw people shivering. We decided to take our sandwiches and continue on our way. Just where the roads F208 and F225 meet, on the right, a horrible road comes out, the worst of all we have done. It leads to the top from the Ljotipollur crater that has a lake inside it.

I do not know if it was the road or the wind that was up, the fact is that it seemed really ugly. Back to Selfoss on Highway 35 just past a bridge over the Fossa River we got on a track to the left that leads to the waterfall. We go to visit the Kerid Crater (the most beautiful of all the craters we have seen) and the Golden Circle. It is a red crater that has a deep blue lake in the center. The beautiful thing is to see it from the highest part with its three colors of red earth, green moss, and blue water.

It is time to rest, so we go to our accommodation, very close to Geysir. We have a double room with shared bathroom. Upon arrival and check-in, they give us a strange news. We are the only guests, so the hotel is for us alone. We have a huge room with kitchen with all kinds of utensils and other.

It is a house completely made of wood, with rooms and common areas. It also has a jacuzzi on the outside, but the water is for peeling chickens. I almost lost both feet when trying to get into it. We went out for a while to see if we can see the Aurora Borealis, and we were lucky. We went back to see it.

The skies continued to be clear and the arctic lights could be seen, although this time with less intensity and form than the previous night. However, we are gratified to be able to see them for two nights.

Day 7 - Thingvellir

The day is horrible. It has not stopped raining all night and it is very strong. Our first point for today is the magnificent Gullfoss. When we reach there, it continues to rain. We got out of the car and climbed up some stairs to try to see it from the top. It's brutal, that crack that swallows all that flow of water. The views are impressive. We cannot enjoy everything we would like, because time is very less. We enjoy everything that we see and we continue.

From here, we go to Geysir, to visit the legendary geyser. The most active is Strokkur, which releases water every 10 minutes, at a height of 20 meters. We managed to see it release water up to 3 times in just a few seconds. There is more in this area, but some are not active and others expel water at greater intervals, which makes it fun to observe them with some control.

On the way, we see the Thingvellir national park. We go ahead with some optimism. We thought, if it had been every day like today, the trip can become a real hell, but we have been lucky in this aspect. In the park, we visited the mythical crack that separates the tectonic plates of Eurasia and North America. It is impressive only to think what can originate there.

Next to parking 1 is this viewpoint, from which we can see almost the entire park and the largest Thingvallavatn lake in Iceland. From the viewpoint, there is a path that passes through Almannagja gorge. Walking inside the fault we find Logberg, which is the point where the Parliament met.

A little further on is Drekkingarhylur, that area of ​the river where people who committed some crime were drowned. There is a poster with pictures that explain how they did it. They tied their feet and hands, blindfolded them, put a rope around their necks and pulled the rope from the other side so they could fall into the river.

Finally, we make a visit to the Oxararfoss waterfall, which is nothing other than the Oxara river water that falls to the Almannagja fault. We stroll through the houses on the other side of the lake. On returning from the waterfall we cross and next to parking 3, there is the bridge from which we can see the Flosagja fault, which is beautiful and full of water. This is an interesting place, with an old cemetery where the remains of local shops and a beautiful church rest.

With this our Iceland tour ends. We go to our last accommodation in the Keflavik airport itself. Our flight departs in the morning and we choose this option to facilitate the process. Next, to it, there are the delivery offices of all the car companies, therefore, it makes the matter much easier. In our case, we deliver the car without incident.