Travel Iceland with Iceland Travel Travel the South Central The gateway to Iceland’s magnificent South Central lies inland of Rte. 1 beyond the villages of Hveragerði and Selfoss. Presiding over the area is Mt. Hekla, one of the country’s most destructive volcanoes and the location of Þjórsárhraun – a lava-flow believed to be the world’s most voluminous since the end of the last Ice-age. Here, the rivers Hvítá, Rangá and the mighty Þjórsá – Iceland’s longest river - feed impressive stretches of fertile land. Being only an hour’s drive from Reykjavík, the area is ideally suited for day-trippers wanting to experience the diversities of Icelandic nature and its dramatic contrasts of color and composition.
Hveragerði to Selfoss The town of Hveragerði is distinctive for its clusters of illuminated and heated greenhouses, a place where savvy residents have been harnessing the power of geothermal energy since 1920. As a result they’ve been able to cultivate a diversity of fruits and vegetables, with exotic varieties as unlikely as papayas and bananas thriving. The main visitor information center for the southern region is located in Hveragerði. Their offices are well supplied with tourist information and maps, and as a special treat for geology buffs, there’s also an
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interesting exhibition on the powerful earthquake that shook the town violently in May 2008. In case you’ve ever wondered what an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale feels like (and you’re not scared of the dark), you can try out their on-site simulator and find out! Sunnumörk 2-4 – south.is Hengill. The rising heights above Hveragerði are riddled with trails and smoking hot springs, and for those who appreciate a more comfortable and less time-consuming hike, with the added bonus of a geothermal swimming-spot at destination’s end, then Hengill is the perfect detour (or pre-tour) for explorers of the South Central. It might not be as dramatic or as strenuous as the famous highland trekking routes of Laugarvegur or Fimmvörðuháls but a 1 hour hike to the smoky valley of Reykjadalur in the Hengill area, is nevertheless a rewarding escapade. If you’re one of those ambitious people TRAVEL THE SOUTH WEST
