Highlands

Coming from the east on route 910, we drove up into the Highlands around Mount Snæfell. Beautiful barren landscapes, hidden valleys with deep canyons, waterfalls of all sizes, and occasionally a hut. That's my first impression. After the night in the highly recommended Laugarfell hut, I followed the road to the Kárahnjúkar hydroelectric power station. It has been in operation for about 15 years and supplies power especially to an aluminum plant located about 100 km further northeast. An impressive structure! As is often the case with such things, there are pros and cons, here especially because nature in Iceland is still largely pristine. But it was built and is currently the largest hydroelectric power plant in Iceland.

Heading further west now is the F910, a route referred to as an extreme mountain road. I'll skip that and instead enjoy a 60 km drive through the beautiful natural landscape of the highlands on the way back. After that, I reach the valley with Lake Lagarfljót once again. A stop in Fellabær near Egilsstađir gives me an extended lunch break. The Bókakaffi Hlöđum is special. Here, you can eat as much as you like from the buffet for a fixed price, there are bookshelves available to choose and browse books, you can knit or crochet, sit in a nice coffee circle around a coffee table, and feel completely timeless. Until it either closes or a private party starts ;)

I spend my last night in Iceland near Lake Lagarfljót, surrounded by larches, spruces, birches, sheep, and birds, and I am very happy with this successful trip.

I sit in nature a little longer with my folding chair until it gets too chilly. The darkness now descends more noticeably over the land at night.