ahoyne9Our mission today (July 25th, 2022) was to drive as far as we could until we were ready to rest, and it turned out to be an exhilarating 9-hour drive.
Our first stop was the east side of Dettifoss, which we had seen people exploring during our visit to the west side. The east side provided a much better experience, with a 1.5-kilometer (0.9-mile) hike that’s easy in parts but moderate in others. The views here are unparalleled, and if you have to choose, the east side is definitely worth the trek. This also gives you much better views of Selfoss.
Next, we drove 2.5 hours to Stuðlagil Canyon in Iceland’s Eastfjords, a breathtaking site known for its towering basalt columns and vivid turquoise river. There were two options to view this canyon, one was to do a bit of hiking which does lead to the “Instagram” famous spot where you see people jumping into the canyon off the basalt columns. To do this it is a short 1-kilometer (0.6 miles) hike from the parking area to the canyon floor. We opted for panoramic views from the upper viewpoint, which required driving a rugged path along the riverbank, instead of hiking to the canyon floor. The upper viewpoint offered stunning vistas without the hike to the canyon floor.
En route to our next destination, we stumbled upon Rjúkandafoss, a hidden gem with a serene, less-visited charm. The falls cascade gracefully over rock formations and are accessible via a short hike from a nearby parking area, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers and photographers.
Our main hike for the day was to Hengifoss, one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls. This 128-meter (420-foot) cascade, framed by striking red and black layers of volcanic rock, is reached via a 2.5-kilometer (1.6-mile) trail that takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The hike offers fantastic views of the waterfall and its geological features, with a smaller but picturesque waterfall, Litlanesfoss, along the way.
With energy to spare, we continued our drive to Hofn, passing several more waterfalls and enjoying the rugged scenery. Although we initially planned to stay at Fossardalur Campsite near Sveinsstekksfoss, lack of cell service and non-functioning Wi-Fi led us to push on to Hofn.
Our final highlight of the day was Vestrahorn, a dramatic mountain range on the coast with jagged peaks rising up to 1,200 meters (3,937 feet). Known for its black sand dunes and reflective lagoons, Vestrahorn is a fantastic spot for capturing stunning photographs of the mountain’s rugged profile.
We camped at Camping Höfn, which costs 1,500 ISK (about $11 USD) per person per night. While it’s recommended to book in advance, we were able to secure a spot without any issues.
Tomorrow marks the last leg of our adventure before heading back to the airport. Cheers to more Icelandic exploration!
