We set off early
on this daytour, and start by driving eastwards across the Hellisheiði plateau,
past Hveragerði and, turning north off the main road at Ingólfsfjall, on to the
splendid volcanic crater Kerið in the Grímsnes
county. At the old bishopric Skálholt, which was the prime religious and spiritual
centre of Iceland for centuries, we will visit the new cathedral, which is renowned
for it 's architectural splendour and acoustic excellence.
After a short halt
for refreshments at the small village of Flúðir, we will head up the Þjórsárdalur
valley which was devastated in the year 1104 by a huge eruption in Iceland 's
most famous volcano, the Hekla.
In that valley,
we can start by admiring the beautiful Hjálparfoss waterfall,and
then visit the excavated ruins of a viking age homestead at Stöng and thereafter
visit "Þjóðveldisbærinn",
a reconstructed version of it built on top of a hill near the Búrfell hydroelectric
power-station.
To the north of the Búrfell high dam, we will encounter scores
of workers and engineers with heavy equipment which are busy building a new extension
to the existing power installations in the area, and shortly thereafter we will
cross eastwards over Iceland 's longest river, the Þjórsá and from there hopefully
catch our first panoramic view of the impressive volcano Hekla whose last eruption
dates back to February 2000.
Crossing alongside the mountain over vast stretches
of pumice and lava fields, we will try and get a glimpse of one of the newest
lavaflows in the area at Skjólkvíar (1970),and visit the little Hekla museum at
Brúarlundur before heading back home in the afternoon.(on the way,in case someone
is interested, there are several farms which offer riding trips to visitors)via
the towns of Selfoss and Hveragerði, with a look into the Eden Greenhouse, and
thenback to Reykjavík.
Duration of tour: 8-9 hours,
Departures: Wednesdays
at 8:30 a.m.,andby request.
Price per person, (for 4 passengers or more):
Price:
(click inside box to select your currency).
Conditions
of sale.
Services included: Four-wheel drive transportation and guidance.
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