Driving through Iceland, the land of Fire and Ice, is a powerful journey. As you admire its landscapes, your mind and soul experience incredible connected moments such as:
- when you feel the powerful activity under your feet.
- when you almost travel to planet Mars.
- when you half expect a dinosaur to show up.
These 10 places in Iceland listed below are not as famous as other natural wonders around the world, but their raw nature and intensity do make you feel a higher connection with Mother Earth.
1. Haukadalalur
Part of the Golden Circle in South West Iceland, the geothermal area is quite an attraction. It is home of the famous Geysir but you need to be lucky to see it erupt.
However the little brother Strokkur is very active. Its powerful jet of water happens every few minutes, so you have plenty of time to really experience this wonder: the bubble growing and growing followed by the column of water which reaches 15 to 20 meters high, sometimes to 40 meters.
2. Jokulsarlon Beach
One of the most touristic spots on the south coast of Iceland is the beautiful lagoon of Jokulsarlon where the glacier releases huge icebergs. However most visitors do not cross the road to the black sand beach and miss one of the country’s highlights.
The icebergs actually float through a channel into the sea and are pushed back towards the beach by the tide. You can approach these giant blocks of ice and touch them. Some are white, other black and a few are blue, but all look stunning against the waves and the black sand. Truly a privilege to see this work of nature.
3. Hverir
Iceland has many geothermal areas but my favorite is Hverir in North Iceland.
You can feel the Earth boiling just under the crust with the powerful gas released from the fumaroles and the mud pools. All this activity is intensified by the bare surrounding landscape and the ground colors and the red of Namafjall, the hill behind.
4. Sigoldugljufur
Hidden in the Central Highlands, the canyon of Sigoldugljufur is very little known. We ended up there by accident and it was one of those moments where you feel you have reached paradise: nothing around, just you and nature.
As the others kept photographing, I sat there in silence enjoying every curve of the canyon and every small ‘tear’ waterfall. Mother Nature is an artist!
5. Hverfjall
I had seen small volcanic craters before Hverfjall in North Iceland, but its size and bare landscape makes it one of a kind.
As I walked the 1km long rim of the 140 meter deep volcano, my mind started traveling back in time 2,800 years ago and imagining the power of the eruption. I felt privileged to see the evidence of such an intense event.
6. Blue Lagoon
I must admit, contrary to most visitors of Iceland, I am not a big fan of the Blue Lagoon. And by that I mean the spa and the huge flow of tourists.
The lagoon itself is man-made but the fascinating part is that the geothermal seawater comes from 2,000 meters beneath the surface. It has traveled through porous lava, reaches us at 50°C and ends up at 38°C in the lagoon. Can you imagine it coming from so deep under us?
7. Leihrnjukur
Imagine walking in a field of fuming lava. Crazy? Well, not that much.
You can actually do it in North Iceland on a walking track around Leirhnjukur which is still steaming 30 years after the last volcanic event. Of course you have to stay on the path if you do not want your shoes’ soles to melt. But what an adventure!
8. Pseudo-craters
I know the title says you can connect with Mother Earth, but now it is time to connect with Father Mars. Let me explain.
The pseudo-craters of Lake Myvatn are the result of a rare phenomenon (almost entirely found in Iceland) where water is trapped under lava. But scientists believe the same is happening on planet Mars!
9. Aldeyjarfoss
An off the beaten track waterfall, Aldeyjarfoss offers the evidence of both volcanic activity and erosion by the glacial river: the land of fire and ice.
This is a place to appreciate how the powerful flow of water created a passage allowing us to see various shapes of basalt columns from the successive volcanic events.
10. Dimmuborgir
And finally, if you want to sing the jingle ‘Denver, the last dinosaur’ and feel like one could appear any time, I recommend visiting Dimmuborgir in North Iceland.
Most lava fields are spread but low. This unique one has huge lava formations surrounding you that make you feel like you have traveled in time.
Plan Your Trip to Iceland
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What places in Iceland would you love to visit?
Or where have you felt the most connected to earth during your own travels? Share in the comments below.
10 Places in Iceland to Connect with Earth and Nature
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