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After a total of 3381 miles (whereof 1941 in Iceland) on the odometer I arrived safely in Stockholm on july 27th 2009 after an amazing three-week trip to Iceland via Denmark and the Färöar Islands. Below, you wil find some of the best shots from our amazing adventure! We actually covered much more than originally planned...
When you look at the map, we (my dad, my cousin and me) drove from Seydisfjördur in the east via the highlands (Askja F88, then F26) to Reykjavik, crossing the highlands again a few days later (F35), then North-Western Fjords, returned to Reykjavik and back to Seydisfjördur via the Southern “ring street”. We marked the best sights/most exciting places with yellow dots and overnight stays with red dots. Day 1: Arrival in Seydisfjördur by ferry from Hanstholm/Denmark via Färöar Islands. Detifoss waterfall, Kravla crater and tent site at Myvatn Day 2: Askja, Viti, Öskjuvatten, Kverkfjöll, tent site Dreki Day 3: Gaesavatnaleid sydri (Southern track from Askja to Nyidalur), tent site in Nyidalur Day 4: Landmannalaugar, tent site Reykjavik Day 5-6: Reykjavik Day 7: Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, F35, northern “ring street” to a tent site in Laugarbakki (a bit east from the North-Western Fjords) Day 8: North-Western Fjords, tent site close to Laugar/Asgardur (south of the Fjords) Day 9-12: Reykjavik Day 13: Southern “ring street”, Dyrholaey, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsarlon Glacier Lake (James Bond 2002), tent site in Höfn Day 14: Seydisfjördur and back by ferry 
While waiting for the ferry in Hanstholm/Denmark we could already see some awesome vehicles. My personal favourite was this Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45 from the 70’s. 
The ferry operator “Smyril Line” has a monopoly on the route Northern Europe – Iceland. Too bad, as we can’t recommend it. The entertainment sucks, food sucks – and it’s expensive (1600 Euros for the car including 3 “chouchettes”). Still, they are threatened by bankruptcy... 
For the Austrian readers – that’s me on a "legendary" soccer field. Guess which one... 
Detto. 
Waiting to pass the customs in Iceland. No problem at all, as Iceland is part of the Shengen agreement. You just get a customs sticker on your car which is valid for 12 months – and off you go. 
Our first stop (after having bought food for the next 4 days): the Detifoss waterfall, Iceland’s largest (45m drop height). 
A sulphur fount close to the Kravla crater – it smelled like hell, as every hot water does in Iceland, even under the shower. You get used to it... 
Another sulphur fount in the same area 
Mordor..... (close to the Kravla crater) 
A typical Icelandic bus which carries tourists to remote areas, like Askja in the highlands 
On day 2, the real adventure began....on the way to Askja. 
Off to Askja on the F88 
Indeed! 
Our first real river crossing on the way to Askja - it was about 50cm deep 
Baywatch à la Iceland 
On the way to the Sulphur Lake Viti 
The Viti Lake. It’s temperature dropped constantly over the last couple of years, however it still measures 28 degrees Centigrade. The way down was so steep that I had to climb on all fours! 
I especially liked driving the so called “Torleidi” 
There we go, the most difficult route on our trip and perhaps in Iceland: Day 3, Gaesavatnaleid sydri 
After crossing 7 km of lava desert, driving 80km/h, similar to the Sahara, but with black sand, we arrived at a section which required the low-range gear - a steep climb through big rocks. The incline went, the rocks stayed... 
The tires took some beating, but thanks to BF Goodrich, we made it through the whole trip without a flat tire. 
After 8 hours of driving in low-range gear (which equaled a distance of less than 100km), the worst was over - finally we saw our overnight stay (Nyidalur) coming closer 
The rivers were at a low level this summer, however we still had to check for big holes in the river bed. And don’t be fooled, even at that level the glacier rivers are powerful and could drag you away in an instant in case you lost your balance! 
River crossings are fun, but should always be executed with great caution, especially when driving without a second vehicle Click "next" to read how our trip continued! Pictures © Go4x4.eu
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