Most of you know that I spent many hours researching this trip and in particular, Iceland. One of the waterfalls that I came across that I was really keen to visit was Aldeyjarfoss and in fact this plan actually dictated which car we hired for Iceland.
To visit Aldeyjarfoss one has to traverse a short section of designated ‘F’ road. An F road is typically an unpaved, mountainous road that leads to the interior of this beautiful country. They are usually gravel or rocky and often require 4 x4 vehicles and many include river crossings and other ‘challenging conditions.’
All of the rental car companies strictly forbid driving on F roads unless you have rented an 4×4 or in some cases an AWD. I had specifically requested a Suzuki Vitara or similar class as this was AWD and allowed by our rental company on F roads, we had been given a Mitsubishi Eclipse AWD so all good to go.
We turned off Highway 1 right by Godafoss that we had seen the day before and started along the Bárðardalur valley. On the way we spotted these cuties and had a little chat after I’d repaired a partially fallen down gate 😉
After about 40 kms we came across a gate leading onto a farm and then another one before we came across a sign indicating we were now entering mountain road F – 26. The road was rough but easily managed by the Eclipse and it was only a few kms before we came to the car park for Aldeyjarfoss.
The pics I had seen online showed much clearer blue water but I presume the recent rains had produced the milky brown that we saw. I think it matched the surrounding geology beautifully and it will forever after be the ‘brown waterfall’ in my memory, one of my absolute faves.
When I was writing this blog I came across a post on a Kayaking website:
“Aldeyjarfoss is Iceland’s most famous waterfall in kayaking circles, and for a few years held the Guiness World Record for the highest free-fall in a kayak. It has only been paddled by a handful of kayakers and is renowned for dishing out serious beatings including broken bones… Aldeyjarfoss remains at the very margins of navigability.” Kayak Session Magazine.”
Yep, I’d agree.
Heading back along the valley we thought we’d stop for lunch by the river but soon changed our minds when we were met with large numbers of very friendly midges and instead stopped at the picnic tables at Godafoss where I presume the wind kept them away.
We rounded out the afternoon with a visit to Dimmuborgir.
Dimmuborgir – the “Dark Fortress” – is a large area of unusually shaped lava fields. The area is composed of various volcanic caves and rock formations, reminiscent of an ancient collapsed citadel (hence the name) and there are many walking trails leading to various different features.
A short drive away we found Grjótagjá. Grjótagjá is a lava cave featuring a small, vivid blue lake fed by a thermal spring. Currently it is too hot for swimming but it did inspire the famous scene between Jon Snow and Ygritte. Mance Rayder also held his wildling army in Dimmuborgir (above) so this area featured quite prominently in Game of Thrones.
We finished off a long day in style, visiting the Mývatn Nature baths.
“According to the Icelandic Sagas, Guðmundur the Good, bishop in Iceland, consecrated a steam bath in early 12th century and recommended to bathe there – as well as Bishop Gísli Oddsson, who claimed it to be cleansing and very healthy.”
Who are we to argue, champers in hand it was a fitting end to the day 😉