Day 1: Dettifoss - Vesturdalur
Despite the thronging crowds at Dettifoss, after 15 minutes we saw just one couple until nearing Vesturdalur and the car park nearby. Basalt columns, wildflowers and fabulous volcanic rock formations make this a unique day. The short steep scramble is manageable with the rope to assist, especially if you have a light pack. After a short distance in the river canyon, we climb out and follow its edge before reaching our campsite for the night.
Day 1 : Distance 20km (12.5 miles) ; Ascent 150m (490ft) ; Descent 350m (1150ft). See Map here.
Our walk starts at the mighty Dettifoss
Marsh fellwort (Lomatogonium rotatum)
in a sheltered spot in the misty air near the roar of the falls.
We head off along the bare clifftop but we soon come to this sign
The rope disappears over the edge…
… but it is perfectly manageable.
Once in the canyon, a few more minor scrambles.
And lovely views for lunch.
Bog blueberry
(Vaccinium uliginosum)
It’s quite boggy. This lower route might be not so great very early or late in the season, but it’s lovely now.
Hafragilsfoss
Springwater and glacial meltwater.
We climb out through a palisade of basalt.
And through a swathe of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus).
Yum!
But wait, we have more views into the canyon, upstream to this mist of Hafragilsfoss!
… and downstream.
Before we cross a heathland.
And past the most astonishing basalt columns.
Karl og Kerling are two petrified trolls. Actually they are volcanic plugs.
Photographs don’t do justice to the scale of these landforms. They are amazing.
The sheltered grassy campground at Vesturdalur has tables and a toilet.
Dinnertime! It’s been a great day and Geoff is feeling generous - he donates a portion of his Bolognese to give two German hikers their first taste of Kangaroo!