The South Shore of Iceland from Reykjavik
Visit the Village of Vik, Hike a Glacier, and Walk Behind Waterfalls
Aug 18, 2009
After the famed Golden Circle tour, the South Shore of Iceland is one of the most popular routes for tourists when visiting this unique country.
Iceland’s South Shore is easily accessible from the country's capital Reykjavik by guided coach tour, private tour, or as a self-driver tour. The South Shore encompasses the natural sites of Skógafoss and Sejellandfoss waterfalls, the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, and the town of Vik and its black pebble beaches and sea caves. All sites are free to visit as they are natural wonders.
Iceland’s Waterfalls: Walk Behind the Waterfalls
Iceland is a country for nature enthusiasts. With many interesting and unique geological formations not found anywhere else in the world, Iceland is an ideal location to see natural waterfalls as they cascade down the sides of the escarpment. The escarpment along the perimeter of the county was formed by the receding glaciers, volcanic activity, and the pounding surf of the North Atlantic.
Glacial run-off from seasonal changes in temperature and the frequent rainy weather experienced in the country contribute to the numerous steams and rivers which feed the waterfalls of the South Shore. The most popular waterfalls to visit for tourists are Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.
Easily located directly off of Iceland’s main road artery, Route 1 or the Ring Road, both Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss can be seen from the road. Skógafoss is 60 m in height, and 25 m in width. Visitors can approach the pool at the base of the tumbling water and take in the mist-drenching view. While visitors cannot walk behind Skógafoss, they may do so at Seljalandsfoss, which also boats a difficult hiking trail along the ridge of the escarpment.
Walk on a Glacier: Mýrdalsjökull Glacier is Popular Site for Blue Ice, Hiking, and Snowmobiling
Included in many guided tours of the South Shore, the Mýrdalsjökull glacier is a site to be seen and makes an ideal stop for hiking, snowmobiling, and photo opportunities. Located in Southern Iceland, directly on top of the volcano Katla, Mýrdalsjökull presents certain difficulties in vehicular travel, due to the glacial outburst floods and deep river crossings. While larger coach buses do not always makes the stop at the glacier due to the ever-changing road structure and rough terrain, many smaller guided tours, such as those run by Iceland Horizon will. The Mýrdalsjökull glacier is also accessible by private vehicles including all-terrain rental cars.
Most South Shore excursions include the chance to climb on the glacier and take photos. More in depth tours of the glacier including ice walks in search of blue ice, hiking, and snowmobiling trips can be booked separately through a number of adventure tour operators directly from Reykjavik.
Vik: The Southernmost Village in Iceland
Vík í Mýrdal, commonly known as Vik, is the wettest place in all of Iceland. Vik serves as a tourist outpost for visiting the nearby black beaches.These black beaches are home to numerous puffin colonies that can be seen nesting and cirling the surf during the summer months and nesting season. Another feature of the beach is the Reynisdrangar, or stacked sea columns. Theses black basalt columns rise out of the waves, which are often rough due to the high winds in the North Atlantic.
Vik has the distinction of being located directly beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier which conceals the active volcano Katla. Thought to be long overdue for a sizeable eruption which would produce a massive flash flood from glacial runoff, the residents of Vik practice volcano drills in which they are trained to rush to the highest spot in Vik. The village’s church sits atop this highest point and is said to be the only building in town that would survive a massive volcanic eruption.
Famous for wool, Vik has a knitting factory attached to the local rest stop and gas station which features knit handicrafts and souvenirs, similar to what one would find in Reykjavik for the same prices.
A trip to Iceland is not complete without a visit to the South Shore, which makes an excellent day excursion from Reykjavik, or an overnight stop as travelers make their way East.
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