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Kaldidalur
The Kaldadalsvegur () is the shortest of the highland tracks traversing the Highlands of Iceland, therefore the nickname "highlands for beginners" . Its name derives from the valley it crosses: ''Kaldidalur'' means "cold dale/valley". Sometimes the Kaldadalsvegur is referred to as simply "the Kaldidalur". The route begins a bit to the north of Þingvellir and to the west of the volcano Skjaldbreiður, which really comes up to its name (meaning ''broad shield''). The track continues between the glaciers Þórisjökull and Ok and leads up to the north. To the east of Reykholt it comes near the ''Reykholtsdalur'' to Húsafell. Then it continues up to ''Hvammstangi'' at the ''Miðfjörður''. Signed as route 550 (formerly F550), the track is 40 kilometers long, and has no unbridged river crossings. (The Kaldadalsvegur is ''not'' an F road, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle is ''not'' legally required to traverse it, however many car rental companies forbid the use of their two-w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kaldidalur Route
The Kaldadalsvegur () is the shortest of the highland tracks traversing the Highlands of Iceland, therefore the nickname "highlands for beginners" . Its name derives from the valley it crosses: ''Kaldidalur'' means "cold dale/valley". Sometimes the Kaldadalsvegur is referred to as simply "the Kaldidalur". The route begins a bit to the north of Þingvellir and to the west of the volcano Skjaldbreiður, which really comes up to its name (meaning ''broad shield''). The track continues between the glaciers Þórisjökull and Ok and leads up to the north. To the east of Reykholt it comes near the ''Reykholtsdalur'' to Húsafell. Then it continues up to ''Hvammstangi'' at the ''Miðfjörður''. Signed as route 550 (formerly F550), the track is 40 kilometers long, and has no unbridged river crossings. (The Kaldadalsvegur is ''not'' an F road, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle is ''not'' legally required to traverse it, however many car rental companies forbid the use of their two-wh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Þórisjökull
Þórisjökull or Thórisjökull (, Icelandic for "Thóris's glacier") is a small glacier and volcano in western-central Iceland, to the southwest of Langjökull glacier. It has an elevation of . Kaldidalur lies in the foreground. Position þórisjökull is situated between Langjökull glacier and the shield volcano Ok to its east. The "Cold valley" (translation of Kaldidalur) is lying between them with its famous highland road of the same name. The volcano The glacier volcano Þórisjökull is a tuya from the Ice Age (in Iceland from 100,000 years ago til about 10,000 years ago). Its mountain part consists mainly of hyaloclastites. The glacier was part of Langjökull glacier probably til the end of the 18th century. Some geological research was made again on the Þórisjökull and Prestahnúkur area in 2009 and it shows clearly active volcanic fissures under the glacier which are part of the Prestahnúkur volcanic system (see weblink, Icelandic Meteorological Institute). T ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Highlands Of Iceland
The Highlands of Iceland ( is, hálendið ) are a sparsely inhabited plateau that covers most of the interior of Iceland. They are situated above 400–500 metres (1300–1600 feet) and are mostly an uninhabitable volcanic desert, because the water precipitating as rain or snow infiltrates so quickly into the ground that it is unavailable for plant growth. This results largely in a surface of grey, black or brown earth, lava and volcanic ashes. A few oasis-like areas, such as Herðubreiðarlindir near Askja, are found only in proximity to rivers. Icelanders categorise the Highlands as: * "Háls", meaning a broad mountain ridge between valleys, such as the one near Langavatn north of Borgarnes; or * "Heiði", meaning the real highlands, such as those alongside the Sprengisandur road. Most of the numerous glaciers, such as Vatnajökull, Langjökull and Hofsjökull, are also part of the Icelandic Highlands. Vegetation is only found on the shores of the glacier rivers. There is al ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Húsafell
Húsafell () is a sprawling farm and church estate and the former site of a rectory. It is the innermost farm in Borgarfjörður in the west county of Iceland, not far from Reykholt and Reykholtsdalur. Húsafell farm now serves as a hub of service for various types of tourists visiting and residing in its surrounding area. The Húsafell surrounding area thus includes a wide array of second homes, tent sites, holiday housing and short term lodgings. Among its amenities are a swimming pool and a golf course. The wider Borgarfjörður region is also renowned for its multitude of lakes where there is trout to be had and salmon to be lured in the many rivers where it is possible to go fishing. The actual estate of Húsafell farm stretches all the way to the roots of Eiríksjökull and Langjökull, covering all in all an area of appr. 100 square kilometers. The farm itself is situated in the midst of Hallmundarhraun, and the Húsafell birch wood of Húsafellsskógur. Due to its s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sprengisandur
Sprengisandur () is a highland plateau in Iceland, defined roughly as the area between the Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull glaciers. History and etymology Like Kjölur and Kaldidalur, Sprengisandur is an ancient pass - during the time of the Icelandic Free State (ca. 930–1265) it was one of the several important north–south routes that connected remote regions of the island to the Plains of the Parliament, Þingvellir, where the yearly parliament, Alþingi, was held each year at midsummer. In the sagas of Icelanders it is often called simply ''Sandr'' "Sand" or ''Sandleið'', "Sand trail". At its southern end, it was joined with another such route, Fjallabaksvegur nyrðri, running west from Landmannalaugar mountain hot springs area. Sprengisandur is only accessible during summer - like other parts of the inner desert, it is impassable in winter because of the snow, and in spring because of floods. While being the shortest way to the Alþingi for some Icelanders, for example ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Þingvellir
Þingvellir (, anglicised as ThingvellirThe spelling ''Pingvellir'' is sometimes seen, although the letter "p" is unrelated to the letter "þ" (thorn), which is pronounced as "th".) was the site of the Alþing, the annual parliament of Iceland from the year 930 until the last session held at in 1798. Since 1881, the parliament has been located within Alþingishúsið in Reykjavík. is now a national park in the municipality of in southwestern Iceland, about 40 km (25 miles) northeast of Iceland's capital, . is a site of historical, cultural, and geological significance, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. The park lies in a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. To its south lies , the largest natural lake in Iceland. National Park ( ) was founded in 1930, marking the 1000th anniversary of the Althing. The park was later expanded to protect the dive ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Volcano
A volcano is a rupture in the crust of a planetary-mass object, such as Earth, that allows hot lava, volcanic ash, and gases to escape from a magma chamber below the surface. On Earth, volcanoes are most often found where tectonic plates are diverging or converging, and most are found underwater. For example, a mid-ocean ridge, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, has volcanoes caused by divergent tectonic plates whereas the Pacific Ring of Fire has volcanoes caused by convergent tectonic plates. Volcanoes can also form where there is stretching and thinning of the crust's plates, such as in the East African Rift and the Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field and Rio Grande rift in North America. Volcanism away from plate boundaries has been postulated to arise from upwelling diapirs from the core–mantle boundary, deep in the Earth. This results in hotspot volcanism, of which the Hawaiian hotspot is an example. Volcanoes are usually not created where two tectonic plates slide ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Skjaldbreiður
Skjaldbreiður (, "broad shield") is an Icelandic lava shield formed in one huge and protracted eruption roughly 9,500 years ago. The extensive lava fields which were produced by this eruption, flowed southwards, and formed the basin of Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake, and Þingvellir, the "Parliament Plains" where the Icelandic national assembly, the Alþing was founded in 930. The volcano summit is at 1,060 metres, and its crater measures roughly 300 metres in diameter. Straddling the Mid-Atlantic ridge, the lava fields from Skjaldbreiður have been torn and twisted over the millennia, forming a multitude of fissures and rifts inside the Þingvellir National Park, the best known of which are Silfra Silfra () is a rift formed in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge – the divergent tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates – and is located in the Þingvallavatn Lake in the Þingvellir National Park in Iceland. Formation Sil ..., Alman ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ok (glacier)
''OK'' (spelling variations include ''okay'', ''O.K.'', ''ok'' and ''Ok'') is an English word (originating in American English) denoting approval, acceptance, agreement, assent, acknowledgment, or a sign of indifference. ''OK'' is frequently used as a loanword in other languages. It has been described as the most frequently spoken or written word on the planet. Its origins are disputed. As an adjective, ''OK'' principally means "adequate" or "acceptable" as a contrast to "bad" ("The boss approved this, so it is OK to send out"); it can also mean "mediocre" when used in contrast with "good" ("The french fries were great, but the burger was just OK"). It fulfills a similar role as an adverb ("Wow, you did OK for your first time skiing!"). As an interjection, it can denote compliance ("OK, I will do that"), or agreement ("OK, that is fine"). It can mean "assent" when it is used as a noun ("the boss gave her the OK to the purchase") or, more colloquially, as a verb ("the boss OKe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reykholt, Western Iceland
Reykholt () is a village in the valley of the river Reykjadalsá (Vestmannsvatn), Reykjadalsá, called Reykholtsdalur. It is part of Borgarfjörður, Western Region (Iceland), Western Region. Reykholt was at one time one of the intellectual centers of the island and had for many years one of the most important schools of the country. The poet and politician Snorri Sturluson lived in Reykholt during the Middle Ages. Sturluson's records of the Old Norse language and Norse mythology, mythology of medieval Iceland are invaluable to modern scholars. Remains of his farm and a bathroom with hot pot and a tunnel between the bath and the house can still be visited. The Snorrastofa Cultural / Research Centre was established in Reykholt on September 6, 1988, with opening ceremonies attended by Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, President of Iceland and King Olaf V of Norway. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hvammstangi
Hvammstangi () is an Icelandic village in the north-west part of the country, on Vatnsnes peninsula, situated on the Miðfjörður Miðfjörður () is a small fjord as well as a conjoined valley in the northwest of Iceland.Íslandshandbókin. Náttúra, saga of sérkenni. Reykjavík 1989, pp.329-330 The fjord has a length of 14 km and a width of up to 3,5 km. The v .... It is the most densely populated area in the West Húnaþing County, with a population of about 580 people . Overview Hvammstangi is an important service center for the surrounding area. It is a regional provider of education, and it has been an important trading center since 1846. The town has a growing tourism and administration industry. The fishing industry (providing mainly shrimp) is also very important to the town's economy. The town also owns the largest textile factory in Iceland. The town is also home to the Icelandic Seal Center. Athletics Hvammstangi has basketball team Kormákur karfa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Miðfjörður
Miðfjörður () is a small fjord as well as a conjoined valley in the northwest of Iceland.Íslandshandbókin. Náttúra, saga of sérkenni. Reykjavík 1989, pp.329-330 The fjord has a length of 14 km and a width of up to 3,5 km. The valley is about 20 km long. Miðfjörður is fed by the river Miðfjarðará and empties onto Húnaflói bay. The town of Hvammstangi Hvammstangi () is an Icelandic village in the north-west part of the country, on Vatnsnes peninsula, situated on the Miðfjörður Miðfjörður () is a small fjord as well as a conjoined valley in the northwest of Iceland.Íslandshandbókin. N ... is located at the eastern side of the fjord.Ísland Vegaatlas. Ferðakort. Reykjavík 2006, p.15 The main highway through rural Iceland, Route 1, passes by the southern tip of Miðfjörður. See also * Fjords of Iceland References Fjords of Iceland North Iceland {{iceland-fjord-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
