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Icelandic horses

One of the highlights of traveling Iceland is admiring their horses.

The Icelandic horse is a breed … developed in Iceland. Although the horses are small, at times pony-sized, most registries for the Icelandic refer to it as a horse. Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into the country and exported animals are not allowed to return. …

The mane and tail are full, with coarse hair, and the tail is set low. … a double coat developed for extra insulation in cold temperatures. …

These days they are mainly kept as tourist rides.

losing fur in early June
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Iceland of the midnight sun

This is a graphic representation of the hours of darkness in Reykjavík, Iceland.

The months are represented across the bottom (Jan = I, Dec = XII)

Now in June (VI) there are no hours of darkness. You could golf all night.

Many find it difficult to fall asleep during the night when the sun is shining. In general, visitors and newcomers are most affected. Some natives are also affected, but in general to a lesser degree….

Wikipedia – Midnight sun

I’ve hiked in Alaska, Yukon and Patagonia during long days, but it’s never been this bright at night.

Weird.

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no go Landmannalaugar

The most famous hike in Iceland opens June 15th. Or 17th. Or 20th. Or later.

It’s been a hard, cold Spring.

I had hoped to do the trek before the official opening, to avoid the hordes. That’s not going to happen.

Today I drove to the campground at Skogar, one of the trailheads. Two young German guys had just come out. There’s still a LOT of snow and mud. It’s not fun.

They convinced me not to go.

… so I’m looking for an alternative backcountry hike, perhaps 75km, over the next few days.

I fly out on the 17th.

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Snaefellsnes volcano, Iceland

Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth starts at Snaefellsnes volcano.

photo by corscri

Earlier Icelandic sagas are set here, too.

Mystics and spiritualists oft list this as a ‘Power Place’ of sorts.

Another story tells of a slam poetry contest between a great Icelandic writer named Kolbeinn Jöklaskáld and the devil. The devil lost the duel and had to throw him self to the bottom of the sea near this spot (north of Hellnar).

I scrambled up and left a Summit Stone on the stark volcanic outcropping.

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Látrabjarg bird cliffs, Iceland

trip report by besthike editor Rick McCharles

The most popular hike in the Westfjords.

The cliffs of all cliffs, Látrabjarg, are home to birds in unfathomable numbers. This westernmost point of Iceland (and Europe if Greenland and the Azores are not counted) is really a line of several cliffs, 14 kilometres long and up to 441m high. And it’s as steep as it gets, dizzyingly so. Safe from foxes, the birds are fearless, and provide stunning photographic opportunities from close range. Bird photography for dummies, you might say. The puffins are particularly tame (VIDEO) …

Látrabjarg is thus deservedly the most visited tourist attraction in the Westfjords. The cliffs are easily accessible by car and when you’re there, a walk along the cliffs awaits. The whirling sensation will not fade, and neither will the memories.

westfjords.is

Looking top down at a bird colony …

Somebody seemed to have collected some dud eggs for a photo op.

The shape of the egg makes it less likely to roll out of the nest.

It’s a bit of work getting to Látrabjarg. I drove most of these roads looking for Puffins.

See the rest of my birdy photos from this day hike

Note that they now are automatically geotagged with GPS data.

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in search of the Iclandic Arctic Fox

I twice saw the elusive Arctic Fox, the only land mammal native to Iceland.

An Arctic Fox Centre opened June 2010, a new tourist attraction.

They lived on birds, I assume. (Why are there not more rodents on this island? Ground squirrels or marmots would thrive here.)

It was a thrill like that of seeing the Patagonian Fox.

But if you like foxes, visit Charlottetown, PEI, Canada. They roam like house cats in that city.

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1st besthike Iceland

by site editor Rick McCharles

My first hike in Iceland was a half hour loop up and over the town of Holmavik, pop. 420.

You know it for the famed Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft. But I went there to fuel up my rent-a-car before setting out for remote fjords.

A “best hike” in Iceland MUST finish at a Hot Spring.

I parked at the Swimming Complex trailhead …

… looped up to the highest viewpoint …

… and back down to the stern Church, an essential feature of all fishing villages, no matter how small.

Here’s the rural Icelandic equivalent of Starbucks. (They are not much for signage in this land.)

In the window was a Blundenhottie (Icelandic for Barista) waving me in. I would have missed the place otherwise.

more photos

The Hot Springs were wonderful.

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hiking Iceland …

I pick up my rent-a-car today. Seven days circle touring the island in search of the best day hikes.

I’m staying in hostels, en route.

On my return I’ll immediately head out to Landmannalaugar for 4-5 days back country.

Leave a comment if you’ve any advice on best hikes Iceland.

This is my first visit.

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best hikes in Arizona

ArizonaHiking.org Weekend Warriors has a good, personalized list:

Best Easy Hikes
Best Medium difficulty hikes
Best Hard hikes
Best Fall leaf watching hikes
Best hikes for solitude
Best hikes for spectacular views
Best water hikes
etc.

See the full FULL LIST of hikes

Bright Angel Trail

See more interesting photos tagged “Arizona Hike” on flickr.