ALL ALONE IN ICELAND

Taking in the view before descending into the next valley

Arriving in the port of Djupivogur on the south eastern coast of Iceland reinforced the solitude of the communities in this part of the country.

Another attractive coastal town but it was what lay beyond that would be the focus of today's excursion.

Setting off in our “super jeep” we travelled the coast road along Highway 1, the narrow two lane highway that encircles Iceland.

Angelica Canyon

Soon we were off road travelling along a narrow track. The scenery, one for the picture books.  

Reindeer Jawbone

Our first stop was a deep canyon known as Angelica its rock formations varied and colourful.

Crystal clear spring water flowed rapidly through the canyon, its taste pure, its temperature frigid despite the sunny day. The rock formations are made up of calcium, iron and copper tones making it an astonishingly colourful landscape.  

Glacial river bed in the valley

Magma from an ancient eruption had forced itself through some of the rock face giving the cliff a look of an egg salad sandwich.

Driving effortlessly over small boulders and rushing streams we made our way to a narrow winding track that traversed the mountainside.  While washed out in places our vehicle made little work of navigating, the views below and above breathtaking.  

Glacial rivers, the bright green new growth on budding birch trees and the backdrop of mountainsides coloured sage, cranberry, teal and grey were literally a kaleidoscope of colour.

Young reindeer

Our next stop was Arctic Fox Nest Canyon and its cascading waterfall.  We sat on the rocks to eat our picnic lunch while taking in the view.

Reindeer were introduced to Iceland from Norway in the 18^th Century because of their adaptability to harsh environments but they roam wild, Icelanders preferring to tend their sheep instead.

Hidden waterfalls

A group of young males caught our attention, their antlers covered in black hair this early in the season.

As we returned along the winding trail through the mountains to the highway there was another surprise in store when we were introduced to a hidden series of waterfalls. 

Walking over the lichen covered boulders we followed a bubbling stream as it turned a corner where the waterfall complex came into view.

The main waterfall thunders down from the glacier in front of an open cave presenting an enticing opportunity to walk behind it. 

Two smaller waterfalls flank the horseshoe shaped outcrop while steep snow covered mountains overlook this fusion of bubbling water as it crashes its way to the sea through the boulder clad stream.

The power of nature had struck again today, very forcefully.