3 Striking Landscapes To Experience In Iceland

Iceland is a Nordic island country, known for its unique and dramatic landscapes. A photographer’s dream, Iceland has volcanoes, lava fields, national parks, glaciers, geysers and hot spring galore. Each year, thousands flock to Iceland to view the incredible Northern Lights. Much of the population lives in the capital, Reykjavik, a city run on geothermal power and with many fascinating locations including the National and Saga Museums, outlining Iceland’s Viking history.

Among the many striking landscapes to experience in Iceland are the most powerful waterfall in Europe, a picturesque canyon and a turfed church that looks like it came from a fairytale. Read on below.

1. Dettifoss Waterfall, Vatnajökull National Park

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Known as being one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, Dettifoss is located in Vatnajökull National Park. The falls are fed by the waters of the nearby Vatnajökull glacier and the River Jökulsá and stand around 150 ft in height.

As the water falls from such a height, this makes a huge, crashing spray, making it difficult to get too close. Also, care has to be taken on the paths surrounding the attraction, as they can get slippery. Thousands come to view Iceland’s version of the Niagara Falls each year, and most wear rain gear to keep dry!

2. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Image by Andrés Nieto Porras on Flickr

Fjaðrárgljúfur in a canyon, a little off the beaten path of Iceland’s famous ring road. The canyon is a little more than 1 mile in length, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in sheer beauty.

When experiencing a Icelandic luxury holiday, make sure you take this little turn off the ring road to explore this beauty. The canyon is lined with craggy, grass-clad rock formations, flanking the winding river. A walking trail runs along the top, leading to a wonderful site with incredible views to enjoy.

The canyon was created by rivers running from the glaciers around 2 million years ago and the river snakes through the terrain, reflecting the colors of the sky and clouds above. Fjaðrárgljúfur gives a sense of fantasy, making hikers feel that elves or fairies could appear at any moment.

3. Hofskirkja Church

Image by Andrés Nieto Porras on Flickr

Keeping with the sense of fantasy, Hofskirkja makes a fairytale image. This is the last turf church that was ever constructed in Iceland and looks like something straight out of the Lord of the Rings.

The church is covered with a thick blanket of grass, with burial mounds hidden in the surrounding lush landscape. It looks as though the earth is rising up to swallow the church whole. Hofskirkja was originally built in 1884 and was restored in the 1950s. It is now the only turf church that is still a practicing parish.

Due to the cold climate in Iceland, villages used to be full of turf buildings like this one, built from wood. The turf protects the building, keeping out the chilly air. However, once the trend changed in the 20th century to use concrete instead of wood, the practice was stopped. While visitors cannot enter the church, they can explore the grounds and the burial sites, taking in the amazing view.