Hike to Systravatn

After a refreshing night at around 2°C, the waterfall is already basking in the sun just before 04:00, slowly warming up the tent as well.

We decide to take a hike up to Systravatn and then down to Kirkjuberjarklaustur to see the 'church floor' made of basalt columns.

The ascent near the campground is quite challenging, and we quickly reach the 90m elevation, enjoying a beautiful view of the land and down to 'our' little spot. The moss and the sun invite us to take a short break before continuing over the damp meadows to Systravatn. The small lake served as a bathing spot for the nuns of the former monastery, and the legend tells that two nuns bathing were pulled into the depths by a hand adorned with a golden comb.

Next to the lake, there is a small pond-like basin with an (inlet) hut that belongs to a small hydroelectric power station; noticeable and unusual is the hut's golden coloring, which is based on an artistic transformation. With this 'Golden Nugget,' the artists from YottaZetta aimed to draw attention to the cultural history and importance of small decentralized power plants, which, in contrast to the hydro power stations of large corporations, do not cause such massive changes and impacts on the landscape, especially nature, and enabled electrification in Iceland at the beginning of the 20th century. For this, neither large dams leading to corresponding land loss nor long-distance overhead networks are needed.

From up here, one has a wonderful overview of Kirkjuberjaklaustur, the moss-covered lava fields, the silvery threads of Systrafoss, and the tallest trees (30m) in Iceland.

We 'climb' down the steep path equipped with rock and wooden steps and stroll through the small green oasis of the forest established in the 1940s. At the foot of Systrafoss lies a massive rock that fell during a tremendous thunderstorm in the 18th century.

On the way to Kirkjugolf, the basalt floor, we meet Martin and Regina for a coffee in town before the two continue their journey counterclockwise around Iceland. We continue our hike, admiring the basalt columns, of which only the fronts are visible, making it look like a laid stone floor.

As a reward at the end of the hike, we enjoy a delicious mukka and our Icelandic version of a cheeseburger while overlooking 'our' Stjórnarfoss.

YouTube Link

https://youtu.be/LHjBj5BGtac?feature=shared