Dramatic coastal landscapes, adventurous hikes and pristine winter wilderness — Iceland is surreal and uniquely beautiful with lush black sandy beaches, snow-capped mountains, sculpted glaciers, rugged deep gorges, stunning waterfalls, and crystal blue waters. Iceland is the most scenic sublime natural wonders in the world — and its savoring solitude and natural awe overwhelm the spirit creating an unforgettable adventure. Here is what you need to know.
Skógafoss
The waterfalls throughout Iceland are amazing, Skógafoss is one of the most beautiful and tallest in the country at 200-feet. The lush noir-colored sand and dramatic cliffs against the powerful rushing white waters and mist are incredible. On the eastern side of the falls, there is a shuffled trail to the top with a trekking trail that leads to Fimmvörðuháls.
Skógafoss is the backdrop to many movies and TV series — most recently in Game of Thrones where Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow kissed. It was also in the History Channels series Vikings, Thor: The Dark World, and comedy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
Jökulsárlón
Glacial river lagoon in southern Vatnajökull National Park — Jökulsárlón is incredible with milky white and crystal blue icebergs moving down river and fluctuating with the tide towards the Atlantic Ocean. Then getting entrenched in the mouth of the river and cast into the sea — only then washed upon the blacken sandy shoreline of Diamond Beach like beautiful jewels.
Jökulsárlón allows you to experience the ice transformation from start to finish with hiking trails along the Glacier, Lake Jökulsárlón, and Diamond Beach.
Kirkjufjara Beach
A natural wonder, lush beautiful black sandy beaches along the rugged cliffs east of Dyrhólaey Arch and west of Reynisdrangar in Southern Iceland. The Kirkjufjara Beach is stunning against the whitecap waves and jagged rocky shoreline—however, don’t let its beauty draw you too close — it has taken many lives and one of the most dangerous beaches in the world due to the rugged waters, narrow shores, and large sneaker waves.
Dyrhólaey
The door hill island known as Cape Portland—Dyrholaey is a small peninsula with an arch-shaped rock formation created in volcanic rupture. Dyrholaey Lighthouse sits at the top of the cliffs with spectacular coastal views and ridge-line hiking trails to Kirkjufjara Beach below in the east. It is one of the best overlooks rich in color, natural tones, and fresh coastal air.
Reynisdrangar
Reynisdrangar is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with dark black sand, iconic cliffs—basalt columns of Mt Reynisfjall, and basalt sea stacks frozen in the rugged waves. It is also one of the wettest places in Iceland. According to folklore, the beautiful rock pillars formed when trolls waded out to capture a passing ship—and were instantly frozen to stone when dawn unexpectedly broke.
Vík í Mýrdal
The village is on the southern coast about 110-miles from Reykjavík — Vík stretches the black basalt beaches of Reynisdrangar and has a population of fewer than 300 people. The town's most notable feature is the picturesque 1929 hilltop Reyniskirkja Church — offering amazing panoramic views of the village, snowy mountainside, and basalt beaches.
Almannagjá
The rugged narrow gorge within Þingvellir National Park marks North American and Eurasian tectonic plates known as the Mid-Atlantic Rift running through Iceland. The gorge defines the boundary between two continents and is constantly expanding as the two plates pull away from each other — Iceland is in both North American and Europe.
Þingvellir National Park is on the northern shore of Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake. The Öxará river flows through Almannagja and forms waterfalls called Öxarárfoss. The rocky gorge or Lögberg walls also known as the Law Rock create a dramatic backdrop traversing throughout the park. Beyond the natural beauty and miles of scenic hiking trails — Almannagja has historical and cultural significance for Icelanders. It was the first settlement for national unity, independence and a place leaders gather to make laws eleven hundred years ago.
Seljalanndsfoss
Originating from the Eyjafjallajökull a volcanic glacier in the north — Seljalanndsfoss is an impressive 197-feet drop with a distinctive cavernous path encircling the falls along the cliffs and allowing visitors to hike behind. The short rugged trail gives a unique perspective to this natural wonder and beautiful waterfalls.
Gljúfrabúi the canyon dweller is a short hike from Seljalanndsfoss — the 131-feet tall waterfall is hidden within the canyon walls requiring you to wade through the cold river and narrow crack in the cliffside. The small cavern opens to the sky with water and mist filling the air — it is a refreshing and tranquil experience.
Gullfoss Falls
One of the largest attractions—Gullfoss or Golden Falls along a narrow gorge on the Hvítá river flows from Hvítárvatn lake on the Langjökull glacier in the highlands of Iceland. The cascading staircase waterfalls at 105-feet are an impressive and great excursion for nature lovers.
Hallgrímskirkja
Reykjavik’s best-known architectural highlight—Hallgrímskirkja took 41 years to build, starting construction in 1945 and completed in 1985. Designed in 1937 by Guðjón Samúelsson, Iceland’s most influential architect who also designed the National Theatre, Landkot Cathedral, and University of Iceland. The style resembles expressionist architecture used in Copenhagen's Grundtvig’s Church and Iceland’s landscape with stacked basalt sea cliffs, mountains, and glacier formations.
In the front of the Cathedral is a statue by Alexander Stirling Calder of Leif Erikson (970-1020 AD) the Norse explorer and son of Erik the Red — thought to be the first known European to arrive in North America (excluding Greenland), half a millennium before Christopher Columbus. It was a gift from the United States commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Iceland’s parliament. Known as the Alþingi — it is the oldest surviving parliament in the world.
Sólfar — Sun Voyager
The dreamboat intended to convey the promise of discovery, new territory, living dreams, hopes fulfilled and progress of freedom—Sun Voyager is a sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason (1931-1989) created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the City of Reykjavík and the Scandinavian art project of the 1980s. The glimmering steeling sculpture revealed in 1990 after Árnason’s death and on a scenic walkway overlooking Kollafjörður Bay is a wonderful spot to watch the sunsets.
Viðey Island
The largest island in Kollafjörður Bay off the coast of Reykjavík — Viðey Island is a jewel and wildlife sanctuary rich in birdlife with over 30 species, 156 species of plants, grey basalt landscapes and peat covered bogland set in the coastal backdrop of Esjan mountain range.
The deserted island has not been inhabited since 1943. The archaeological remains dating to the 10th century and is where the Skuli Magnusson lived, considered the "father of Reykjavík" for being the first Icelandic governor appointed by the Dutch. On the western side of the island is Viðeyjarstofa House constructed in 1753 by the Danish Government and the Imagine Peace Tower envisioned by Yoko Ono in honor of her late husband John Lennon of the Beatles. The island reached by ferry and has many hiking and horse riding trails.
The Blue Lagoon
The famous lagoon and picturesque milky baby blue geothermal spa on a lava field in southwestern Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is rich in salt and algae and averages 37–39 °C (99–102 °F). It is only 12-miles from Keflavík International Airport making it a great stop before a long flight home to soak and relax after days of strenuous hiking and sightseeing.
Iceland offers many more waterfalls, tranquil hikes, and amazing landscapes — so get out and explore. Return for future posts on Nashville, Santiago De Compostela, and Nantucket. All prints are available — shop here or DM for more information.
Sources: Wikipedia, Iceland Travel