Hvolsvöllur area

Hvolsvöllur, just off the ring road, is a good access point for nearby scenery and hiking trails. The area is also the setting for a great Icelandic saga - Njal's saga. The landscape around Markarfljót reminded me of parts of the South Island of New Zealand and looks like the setting for great dramas.

 
   
Hekla Photos Markarfljót Photos    

Travel suggestions for the Hvolsvöllur area

How long? - you can visit the Hvolsvöllur saga museum and drive up highway 261 in 2-3 hours. However it's worthwhile staying several days to hike at Tindfjallajokull and Þórsmörk.

Transport

Highway 261: the last section before Fljótsdalur, the road surface is corrugated. (Not sure whether it's best to drive really fast to smooth out the corrugations or slowly with the whole car vibrating?)

Mountain road F261: branches off 261 near Fljótsdalur. You should use a 4WD on F261 as there are several river fords. The Hvolsvöllur museum staff told me there is a local resident who regularly drives F261 in a VW Golf, however, this would be a bad idea for any non-local to attempt.

Mountain road F249: F249 Is the only way to reach Þórsmörk and you need a 4WD.

Things to do

  • Visit the saga museum at Hvolsvöllur
  • Drive up (bumpy) highway 261 for the Markarfljót scenery and stop off at Gunnar Hámundarson's farm at Hlíðarendi (There is not much to see there, however if you liked Njal's Saga then you might want to visit anyway.)
  • Go hiking at Tindfjallajokull
  • Go hiking at Þórsmörk (4WD needed)
  • Go hiking at Landmannalaugar (4WD needed)
  • Visit Hekla (on a tour or after getting advice from locals on the conditions)
  • Visit the turf farmhouse museum at Þjólðveldisbærinn if driving by on Highway 32 (about 12km from the highway 26 junction)
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