After a day in Fjallabak, we drove from the Þjórsá river valley to the Snæfellsnes peninsula via the majestic Kaldidalur route between the huge Langjökull glacier and the Ok mountain (its glacier had already melted…), visiting on the way three fine waterfalls.
The first waterfall, Brúarfoss, is one of these typical internet-driven tourist attractions of Iceland. To the shock of landowners and habitatants of the nearby collection of summer houses, a few years ago hordes of tourist suddenly appeared and started to penetrate the area in the search of this newly discovered and so well-hidden treasure, a true insider tip, etc. disturbing everyone and everything on their way. Presently, a parking has been built, a muddy path avoiding houses marked, a bridge repaired, viewpoints set, but the traces of a conflict still remain: barbed wire fences and signboards Private Property — No Trespassing!
The road via Kaldidalur (mostly unpaved gravel road, F550, no fords) connects the Þingvellir area with Húsafell through highlands. By good weather you are rewarded with finest views. (By bad weather… There is an orange rescue hut, which is definitely not just accidentally placed in the middle of nowhere.) After passing the stony and grim desert, green valleys of Húsafell are more than welcome.
The snapshots from this part of the journey: Gallery (60 images)
North of Reykholt :: the weather improves for a visit of Brúarfoss
Brúarfoss :: just follow the Brúará river
Brúarfoss :: Hlauptungufoss
Brúarfoss :: Hlauptungufoss
Brúarfoss :: Hlauptungufoss
Brúarfoss :: by Miðfoss
Brúarfoss :: by Miðfoss
Brúarfoss :: Kóngsbrú bridge
Brúarfoss :: the waterfall as seen from the Kóngsbrú
Brúarfoss :: the central part
Brúarfoss :: the blue waters
Brúarfoss :: the hydraulic jump below the waterfall
Brúarfoss :: the hydraulic jump below the waterfall :: detailed
Brúarfoss :: the central part
Brúarfoss :: the waterfall as seen from the Kóngsbrú
Brúarfoss :: a mountain to the northeast
Kaldidalur :: Sandkluftavatn north of Þingvellir :: first glacier sight
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Þórisjökull
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Skjaldbreiður
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Þórisjökull and Skjaldbreiður
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Þórisjökull, Litla and Stóra Björnsfell
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Þórisjökull, Litla Björnsfell
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Skjaldbreiður
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Tindaskagi
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: a rescue hut with the radio antenna
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Fanntófell crater and broad Ok
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Þórisjökull, Litla Björnsfell
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Þórisjökull, Litla Björnsfell
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Þórisjökull, Litla Björnsfell
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Fanntófell crater and broad Ok :: our sturdy car
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Fanntófell crater and broad Ok
Kaldidalur :: Bláskogaheiði :: Fanntófell crater and broad Ok
Kaldidalur :: Hrúdurkarlar
Kaldidalur :: approaching the pass :: Þórisdalur to the right
Kaldidalur :: Þórisjökull
Kaldidalur :: Þórisjökull
Kaldidalur :: the pass :: Eiríksjökull, Geitlandsjökull
Kaldidalur :: Eiríksjökull in sight
Kaldidalur :: Eiríksjökull zoomed
Kaldidalur :: Geitlandsjökull, Þórisdalur
Kaldidalur :: Geitlandsjökull detail
Kaldidalur :: leaving the pass towards Húsafell, Eiríksjökull ahead
Kaldidalur :: the road to Langjökull edge
Kaldidalur :: the massive Langjökull proper
Kaldidalur :: Strútur closing Húsafell
Kaldidalur :: Strútur closing Húsafell
Kaldidalur :: leaving Kaldidalur towards Húsafell
Kaldidalur :: Eiríksjökull
Kaldidalur :: the upper Hvílá river :: Langjökull behind
Kaldidalur :: Strútur and Eiríksjökull
Kaldidalur :: approaching Húsafell
Húsafell :: looking back to Strútur and Eiríksjöull from the green valley
Húsafell :: Hraunfossar
Húsafell :: Hraunfossar
Húsafell :: Hraunfossar
Húsafell :: Barnafoss
Húsafell :: Barnafoss
Húsafell :: Hraunfossar :: Strútur and Eiríksjökull on the horizon
Mountain range south of Borgarfjörður