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Exploring the
Wonders of Nature in Iceland
 Forget
about the usual touristy things like visiting zoos and museums, old historical
buildings, parks, and other man-made attractions in your travel itinerary. Why
not explore and discover
the wonders of nature at your next
travel destination – Iceland.
When it comes to natural
attractions, this tiny northern land promises eco-travellers an intimate
experience with Mother Nature, offering majestic waterfalls, dramatic fjords,
spouting geysers and hot springs, bizarre landscapes, volcanic lava craters and
ethereal northern lights stretching across its beautiful night skies! Iceland
never ceases to amaze, as its enchanting, unique landscapes and breathtaking
views leave you astounded and overwhelmed.
Walking on the Surface of the Moon
Despite its name, Iceland is not at all what one might expect it to be: an icy,
cold and barren land. Thanks to its unique location at a geological hot spot and
the Mid Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is one of the most active volcanic countries in
the world, making it a geologist’s paradise. There are around 200 post-glacial
volcanoes scattered about the island, the most famous being Mount Hekla
in southern Iceland.
Iceland’s never-ending volcanic activity is directly responsible for the unique
lunar-like landscape found in the southern parts of the island: barren lava
fields, massive craters, steaming vents and spouting geysers. Because of its
eerie resemblance to the surface of the moon, Iceland was once the training
ground for NASA astronauts, most notably Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin,
who eventually took the first historic steps on the moon in 1969.
Icelandic Weather
The best time to visit Iceland is between May to early September, as the weather
is much more stable with mostly sunny days and temperatures between 10 ºC to 12
ºC. The summer months are particularly pleasant because of the continuous
daylight in summer months, while in early spring and late autumn, there are
longer twilight hours. If you go at other times, the temperature and weather can
be somewhat unpredictable and constantly changing from time to time, but don’t
let it discourage you; rather, be prepared for it as these unpredictable weather
patterns usually results in extraordinarily beautiful skies.
Most people avoid visiting Iceland during the winter because of its dark, long
winter days but you might be shocked to discover that, thanks to the Gulf
Stream, the weather is much milder compared to other countries and not as cold
and chilly as you might initially expect. In fact, winter is one of the most
interesting times to visit, as it provides a whole new perspective on Iceland’s
snow covered landscapes and its amazing night skies.
Aurora Skies
 One
of the most amazing things to look forward to during a winter visit to Iceland
is the Northern Lights. Also known as the Aurora Borealis, it is a
breath-taking spectacle of colourful lights stretching across the sky, which can
only be seen during autumn and early winter (from September to April) in the
northern latitudes. The most common colours are green and white, but at higher
altitudes when the pressure is low, the colours can change to become a reddish
glow, which lasts from as little as a few minutes to as long as a few hours.
The Northern Lights appear on clear crisp nights and are caused by solar wind
particles colliding with the earth’s magnetic field in the upper atmosphere; the
energies given off during the collisions create the magnificent displays of
white, green and red glows which adorn the skies. A sighting of an aurora
borealis is never a guaranteed thing, as certain areas may offer better viewing
opportunities than others, so it is advisable to go on Northern-lights focused
tours and excursions, which will be able to arrange for the best locations and
timings for sightings.
The Great Falls
 Waterfalls
in Iceland have often been the subject of awe and amazement among locals and
visitors alike. One of the most famous waterfalls (and major tourist
destination) is Gullfoss Waterfall (pictured right). Also known as the
‘Golden Falls’,
this is where the mighty white river
Hvita plunges into a 32 metre narrow canyon. Hailed as one of the most beautiful
falls in Iceland, the surrounding area is exceptionally stunning, especially on
a sunny day when the hammering falls are wreathed with colourful rainbows! Be
careful though - it is advisable not to get too close
to the falls, as it tends to spread
lots of mists which can leave you soaking wet!
Another noted waterfall is Glymur, which is located at the rear
end of Hvalfjörður in West Iceland
(an area also known as the Western Fjords). Measuring 198 metres in height, it
is Europe’s highest waterfall. Formed by the River Botnsá flowing down from Lake
Hvalvatn, the water from the river flows alongside the
volcano Hvalfell, before plunging
into a canyon covered with
green moss. To get to Glymur
Waterfall, take a drive down to the small village of Botnsá and hike up the
mountain on the marked hiking paths near the falls, and you will be instantly
rewarded by spectacular views of the cascading water.
Other notable falls worth visiting include the Svartifoss or Black Falls
located at the Skaftafell National Park, so named because of the dark basalt
columns surrounding the area around the falls, which were formed during an
ancient lava flow. Then there is Skogafoss (first picture), which is
situated in southern Iceland and is considered one of the biggest and most
beautiful falls in the country. Flowing down in between mountains and dropping
at a height of 60 meters, the falls create a border between the Lowlands and the
Highlands of Iceland.
Hot Springs, Geysers & Glaciers!
Despite bringing their share of destruction to the island’s inhabitants in the
past, Iceland’s volcanoes have also blessed them with an endless supply of
geothermal energy, the cheapest and cleanest form of energy available in the
world. Iceland’s volcanic activity has also given naturally heated pools, hot
springs and steaming vents, which can be found in various parts of the land. Not
only do these natural features make good energy sources and bathing spots, they
are also very popular tourist attractions.
By far the most popular and most
publicized tourist destination in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon,
a natural hot pool of blue-green
water located in the middle of a volcanic lava field just 50 kilometres outside
Reykjavik. What’s unique about this blue-green pool of warm water is that it
remains at the same temperature, approximately 35ºC, all year round and is
believed to contain special properties and mineral content said to have curative
powers in treating various skin diseases such as psoriasis.
 Another
popular attraction, and considered the most famous spouting hot spring, is the
Great Geyser, which jets hot water into the sky to an amazing height of
about 60 meters. For those who have not yet witnessed this geological
phenomenon, the sight of it can be overwhelming! Located near to the Great
Geyser is the Strokkur (pictured left). Though not as mighty and powerful
as the great geyser itself, Strokkur is still able to amaze audiences with its
predictable spouts of steaming water every 5 to 10 minutes, reaching to a height
of up to 20 meters. Though the geysers are the main attractions, an interesting
landscape beckons as you wander along the walking paths winding through the
surrounding areas, as you will encounter steaming vents, mud pool formations and
sulphurous lakes.
Iceland is perhaps the only place in the world where the landscape is defined by
two strong and contrasting elements: not just fire, but also ice, which has had
a major impact on the landscape. Since the Ice Age, the mountains of Iceland has
been covered with permanent snow, from which immense glaciers have slowly
crept down, carving their way through rocks and forming serrated ridges and
valleys like ice-cut crystals.
Often considered one of the most striking features in Iceland, the glaciers
cover approximately 10 percent or 11, 260 kilometres of area in the country.
Iceland’s glaciers are some of the largest in the world, especially
Vatnajokull in South Iceland, which is said to be equivalent in size to all
the glaciers in Europe combined! Another noted glacier is Snaefellsjokull,
which lies approximately 60 miles away from Reykjavik. While it may not be as
large as some of the other glaciers, the glacier and its surroundings exudes an
air of mystery, which inspired author Jules Verne to chose it as the doorway to
the planet’s interior in his best selling book, Journey to the Centre of The
Earth.
For those who love marvelling at the wonders of nature, there are so many things
to see and do in on this unique northerly island. For those who crave a little
bit of excitement and thirst for adventure, and want to experience the
extraordinary sights and sounds of a land like no other, Iceland is definitely
the place to visit and explore! Don't let the prices or weather discourage you,
as you will find that the overall experience of is definitely worth every penny
spent!
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