Iceland – the SouthEast

Southern Iceland is a lot of people favorite mostly because of its waterfalls and glaciers, with the Skaftafell national park and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon as the natural and touristic centre of the region. There’s a lot to see and scenic views are almost everywhere, as the crowds since for a long stretch there are no alternatives to the ring road. Early morning and sunset are again the best times to enjoy most places with the right weather, but since distances are not small, it is not possible to visit more than one place during those times unless staying for several days.

Because of the crowds, if you tend to avoid them as much as possible like me, the best advice is to explore also the less known spots that may reveal hidden gems not on the standard tours. Skogafoss for example is so crowded during the day that it is hard even to take a picture under the rain…climbing up the stairs to the top of the waterfall though, it is possible to hike in the valley behind which is gorgeous and almost unexplored the further away you go from the waterfall. Jokulsarlon is a must for anybody, but it is not the only one in the area…it is just the easiest to reach along the road and where most tour operators are based; an evening stroll along the shores after almost everybody has left the area is an unforgettable (and cold) experience though.

Apart from free roaming and stopping at will anywhere the views are demanding, other suggested places along the road are: Seljalandsfoss waterfall from absolutely every angle, the area near Vik including Dyrholaey (a Puffin heaven to which I have dedicated my first post this year) and Reynisfjara Beach, anywhere around Hvannadalshnjukur, Hofn with its surrounding glaciers and the Hengifoss trail from lake Lagarfljot. The list of course is not complete but I could not add much more before reaching Egilsstadir and Seydisfjordur to board the Norrona and sail back home.

I spent the last 3 days of my trip around Iceland in the area and I have to say it was a perfect way to say goodbye to this beautiful country even if the weather was almost never at its best. As always, at the end of the post the gallery with my preferred shots of those days. (I’ve also added a new album with all the pictures taken in Iceland in the gallery section of the site).