9 KERið vOLCANiC CRATER

The Kerið crater is not the only crater in the region. Other volcanic craters include the Seyðishólar and Kerhóll. However, what makes this one so special is the crater lake that was created after the explosion. Unlike many similar craters, the caldera or boiler is still quite intact. The crater is 55 metres deep, 170 metres wide and 270 metres long. It originated around 3,000 years ago.

24 km from Kerið past Selfoss lies the small town of Hveragerði, famous for its thermal springs and horticulture. Continue on Route 35 towards Selfoss (a city we will visit later) and then take Route 1 towards Reykjavík. Turn right after 14 km towards Hveragerði.

10 hvERAGERði

Hveragerði counts about 2500 inhabitants and lies on the river Varma, meaning warm river. The hot springs (VERY hot springs) near the city are - how could it be otherwise? - of volcanic origin. The activity of the sources can only be called heavy. You will see steam plumes coming out of the ground everywhere. The places in town with the hot springs and boiling mud are safely fenced off but easily accessible to be admired by tourists. Usually you need to pay an entrance fee. You can also visit a small geyser, the Grýla.

Thermal springs

You can enjoy the warmth of the hot springs in the local Laugaskarð pool, the largest pool in the country. It is known for its great accommodation, such as hot springs, landscaped whirlpools, solar lamps and natural steam baths.

Horticulture

You will also notice that there are greenhouses everywhere in town. The hot springs are in fact also used in horticulture. The region around Hveragerði heats 40% of the greenhouses of Iceland. Here they grow fruits, vegetables and flowers, things that you would not expect here normally. You will even find bananas!

 www.hveragerdi.is

 GPS: 64.0010797, -21.1957425

FEELiNG hUNGRY?

In Kjöt & Kúnst you can choose from local specialties, soup with homemade bread. You can also taste “Earth-cooked” dishes, and there is a buffet. You do need a reservation for this.

 Open daily from noon – 9 p.m. (closed on Sunday)

 www.kjotogkunst.is

 Breiðumörk 21, 810 Hveragerði

Relaxing after a long day? The Reykjadalur River is the ideal spot. When you arrive in Hveragerði, drive through the town and go 3 km to the Breidamork. Stop at the parking lot where the trail starts to Reykjadalur.

11 REYKjAdALUR wARm-wATER RivER

In the valley around the Reykjadalur warm-water river, you can find a variety of hot tubs and geothermal springs. From the car park, it’s a tough hike (you should be in pretty decent shape) of about 45 minutes to the warm-water river. Follow the wooden arrows on the walkway. Along the way you’ll pass steaming and bubbling mud pools and sulphur-smelling springs. Highly recommended!

Do not forget your swimming attire (wear it beforehand?) and towel, and you can bring a plastic bag to carry your wet swimwear after your bath.

 GPS: 64.022650, -21.211752

From Hveragerði, it is about a fifteen minutes’ drive to Selfoss. Take Ring Road 1, and you will arrive in the town after about 13.5 km.

Selfoss is one of the largest towns in Iceland. It is the ideal place to stop and buy stuff in the local supermarket or to eat something in the evening. In Austurvegur Street you can find supermarkets, banks and some restaurants.

12 BOBBY FiSChER CENTER

In this museum you can find memorabilia from the 11th world chess champion, Bobby Fischer. In the summer of 1972, the American Bobby Fischer defeated the Soviet grandmaster and reigning world chess champion, Boris Spassky, in Reykjavík. The match was seen as the match of the century and took place at the height of the Cold War. In the museum you can find Bobby Fischer’s score sheet, a copy of the radiation measurements which were demanded by Spassky’s delegation, and a replica of the chessboard used during the game. Bobby Fischer died on 17 January 2008 at the age of 64 and is buried at the cemetery of Laugardælir, a few hundred metres away from the museum.

 Open daily from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (from 15 May till 15 September)

 Paid entrance

 Austurvegur 21, 800 Selfoss

 www.fischersetur.is

 GPS: 63.9372737,-20.9956937

We spend the night in Selfoss or around.

 Looking for a hotel in Selfoss? Click here.

Don’t feel like ending the day? You can still visit the Keldur Turf houses, about 55.5 km from Selfoss. Follow Route 1 from Selfoss towards Vík, between the towns of Hella and Hvolsvollur. Turn left after about 44 km, and take Route 264 towards Keldur. Part of the road is unpaved but in good condition.

13 KELdUR TURF hOUSES

Keldur is definitely worth a detour. The site is located near the Hekla volcano and consists of 20 turf structures, including a farm nearly 1000 years old. In the historic Njal’s Saga a lot is written about this site. Jon Loftsson, a religious leader from the 12th century, probably inhabited the Keldur hall.

The turf houses in Keldur are unique to the region. However, the most striking is the public hall, which has several rooms where you can find a small secret escape tunnel in the hill. The tunnel was discovered by accident in 1932.

 GPS: 63.82333, -20.0818933

GOLdEN CiRCLE

If you are visiting Iceland for only 2-3 days, then at this point you can go back towards the airport (96 km).

Do you have some time to spare? Then you can visit the inside inside the volcano. The Þríhnúkagígur crater in Southwest Iceland offers a unique experience, allowing you to descend to the bottom of a 4,000 year-old volcano and discover a unique underground world. You get to visit a giant magma chamber adorned in all possible colours.

“Inside the Volcano” is located about 60 km from Keflavík International Airport. From Selfoss, take Route 1 towards Reykjavík. After an approximately 13 km drive, take the second exit at the roundabout, and from Route 417 drive via Blafjallavegur towards Bláfjöll, Bláfjallaskáli ski area. Continue to follow Route 417 (do not turn right). Park at the site of “Inside the Volcano”.

 Open 15 May - 15 October (check website for tours and hours)

 Paid entrance

 https://insidethevolcano.com

 GPS: 63.98502, -21.649949

This free travel guide contains the first two days of our travel guide of Iceland. Curious for more Iceland? Buy the complete digital guide (pdf – 130 pages A5, easy to print) for the price of 3 cups of Icelandic coffees, and explore the island with our complete road trip, a walking tour Reykjavík, lots of practical information, local legends and hidden gems.

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