Hofn, Red Hengifoss, and the hot springs at Vok

 We camped in the town of Hofn. There was a Lobster festival going on but we couldn’t see anything outside being celebrated since everyone was inside somewhere. We waited around to eat at “Nailed it” fish and chips @11:30 but they did not open. How sad. They came so highly recommended.   We grabbed groceries and headed out.  

We drove out to Stokksnes Black sand beach but it was $60 to go in so we skipped it since it was super cold and windy.  Cool roads and an amazing lookout. Vestrahorn in the background. We could see Vestrahorn as we drove away and I wish we could do it all.  Then there was a long three hour drive that kids listened to books and slept.  The drive was amazing by the edge of the water then cutting through the inner part of the island.  There were waterfalls everywhere.  So beautiful everywhere. 

****Hengifoss - East Iceland.  Top three highest waterfalls in Iceland.  Lovely uphill hike ALLTRAILS 3.5 miles, 1,300 elevation, 2:30 min  Brown and red striped rock. Beautiful hike up with waterfalls cascading down. Read all the signs to learn about the geology of the place ella and Abby listened to a book together and hiked up and back down so fast.  I love seeing them together and to see Abby realize she can go fast and hike well. We had yummy soup and bread in the parking lot while we enjoyed the sunshine.

*****Stay in town of Fellabaer. Campsite is called Skipalækur. Darren and I go on date to Vok hot springs. Soaked in the hot springs.  Jumped in the freezing cold lake.  Enjoyed the steam room.  Loved being just Amy for a few hours and not a mom.  Enjoyed the warm tea as we walked home two miles.  Kids had WiFi back at the campsite and made dinner, cleaned up and watched a movie.  They were asleep when we got into bed around 11:30. Five star campground.  I wish all campgrounds could be this nice

Mulagljufur Canyon, Vatnajökull National Park and Diamond Beach

1. ***Fjadrargljufur Canyon- Game of Thrones canyon. You can only go to the three view points.  You cant go down into the canyon.  go to the end viewpoint play so this whole area this is where we are.  ALLTRAILS 2 miles, 340 elevation, 1 hr. Its pretty but you can’t go down or get too close and there are so many tourists. 

1. ****Svartifoss waterfall is in Skaftafell National Reserve - basalt Column Angel wings waterfall. ALLTRAILS 2 miles, 450 elevation, 1 hr.  The sun finally came out.  We hiked in our short sleeves.  It felt so good.  We were all so tired and hungry and enjoyed lunch in the parking lot, crackers, cheese, salami, cream cheese, avocados, jam. Yum. 

1. ****Svinafellsjokull glacier- short easy walk to the base of the glacier.  Walk into the freezing water.  Icebergs floating.  ALLTRAILS 1.4 miles, 150 elevation, 30 minutes.  It wasn’t the prettiest glacier but we were up close.  The water was freezing and brown/dirty.   Darren dared the kids to swim out.   We went in to our knees.  

1. *****Mulagljufur Canyon - Gigantic mountains, deep valleys. Waterfalls pouring off of glaciers. 360 is amazing. H ALLTRAILS 3.6 miles. 1,200 elevation, 2:15 minutes. Favorite place so far.   The canyon was spectacular to hike beside. A big cascading waterfall pouring down half way up.  Then at the top you could see the edge of the glacier as it melted into a waterfall that went down and down and down, layer by layer down the rock. Then you could turn and see the canyon, then diamond beach and the glacier fingers and then the ocean.  It was a place to be reverenced. 

1. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   **Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is just north of ****Diamond Beach. Come here if you want to see the chunks on the Beach. Fjallsarlon Iceberg Lagoon is close by but we skipped it.  We were so exhausted and grumpy and hungry.   But this place was magical.   The sun was getting so low. 
   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   
2. Made it to Hofn to camp.  Cooked some hotdogs and crashed! 

Magical Thakgil, Yoda Cave and the Arctic Storm

Thakgil to southeast side - the ARCTIC STORM has hit 

1. *****Thakgil. Spend one day hiking, great camping spot.  Extreme wind. We could barely stand in some places. I wish my legs could have done more hiking.  I could easy stay for a few more days.  Hiked purple route, about 8 miles, to Remundargil waterfall and Rjupnagil overlook to the Kötlujökull glacier. Warm clean showers.  Beautiful valley.  We had yummy moose shaped pasta when we got back to camp and we all gobbled it up.  Darren used the grill to make cheese toast.  

1. ****Hjorleifshofdi mountain/Yoda cave. Fun quick detour off of main road. If you’re driving by it’s fun to stop.  Darren rated it a one star since we literally drove up and walked into the cave and then walked out.  

1. ****Fagrifoss- crazy windy.  Could barely make it to the lookout without being blown over.  Fun to drive over the river twice and then see it plummet into a huge waterfall.  It was a good drive from yoga cave to the waterfall so kids could sleep

1. Slept in a cute town with a lovely campground.  Made ella pancakes and she was so happy.   More laundry.