From the geothermal waters at the Blue Lagoon to the expansive lava fields and black sand beaches to the dizzy heights of Haifoss waterfall, the southwest region of Iceland boasts an abundance of natural attractions so breathtaking they look literally unreal. Hiking to the top of Skogafoss, with its iridescent green banks and thundering waterfall, I was mistaken in thinking that it would be the end of the adventure, instead it was like opening the wardrobe door into Narnia. Each summit revealed another summit with waterfall upon waterfall and the landscape felt alive and shimmering with impossibility; I half expected to see rainbow unicorns grazing and fairies dancing to the music of the water.
With the vibrant capital city of Reykjavik being located in this region, it is the most accessible to tourists and many head straight to the Blue Lagoon which is worth all the hype it receives. Swimming in industrial water from the adjacent power plant while watching the steam from the stacks overhead may seem like an odd idea but immersing yourself in all those minerals is definitely good for your skin and oh so relaxing after a long journey. From there, Gullfoss is next on the must-do list, humbling anyone that stands on its banks as the raw energy from Europe’s largest volume waterfall ploughs through your soul. Whether at Gullfoss, Skogafoss or Haifoss, I’ve never seen so many waterfalls or rainbows anywhere on the planet.
Abundant waterfalls aren’t the only attraction either; geysers and glaciers also seem to be littered across the landscape such as the bubbling ground at Haukadalur and the glacial wall of Solheimajokull. Dyrholaey is also another must-visit location, especially for those who are used to beaches being white; it is quite shocking to see the contrast of white surf washing over black sand beaches littered with mini-icebergs! Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, is also worth visiting to explore the rocky terrain but maybe give the tired museum nearby a miss.
The heart of Africa is said to be the Cradle of Life but Iceland is definitely the birthplace; where else on earth can you witness the creation of landscapes and their evolution to support life more than in this magical place – the original Shangri-La.
