Michael S. LibermanIceland Day 3: Reykjavik to Hvammstangi
From Hvammstangi …
We arrived in Reykjavik just after sunrise. Finally here after our 36-hour adventure with flight delays, missed flights, and rebooked flights. But that’s all behind now!
Our driver meets us at the airport for the 45-minute drive from KEF to our hotel.
The first impression of Iceland as we leave the airport is the barren landscape. No trees and lots of volcanic lava fields. We pass the most recent lava flow from a volcanic eruption and see the steam emerging from the ground.
After a quick breakfast at Hotel Cabin and a chance to freshen up we board the bus and begin our tour of the northern part of Iceland.
About 120 km from Reykjavik we visit the Hraunfossar waterfall formed by streams flowing out the Hallmundarhraun lava field.
Víðgelmir Cave is the largest in Iceland and one of the largest lava caves in the world with lava stalactites and stalagmites found deep inside. Viking archaeological artifacts were found here in 1993. Water flowing through the cave eventually reaches Hraunfossar Waterfall, but it takes a few years to make the of trip of about 11 miles (16.5km) from the cave to the waterfall!
The Deildartunguhver Hot Spring is hot at 200°F (97°C) and the most powerful in Europe with a flow rate of 50 gallons (180 liters) per second! This hot spring provides heat for homes in two nearby towns.
It’s been a long first day of travel and touring! We’re checking in tonight at Hotel Laugarbakki in Hvammstangi. A chance to rest and do some much needed travel organization!
Wonderful photos, Michael
Thanks, Marguerite!!
Glad you finally arrived after flight delays. Do they just pipe hot water from the springs to heat the houses. Or do they drill down to thermal layers?
Thanks for your photos and detailed descriptions.
Mike, they source the geothermal heat in anyway you can imagine. From individual systems for homes to centralized large-scale utilities in more urban areas.