Sigöldugljúfur – Valley of Tears

May 31, 2024 By landhotel Blog Comments Off

Sigöldugljúfur - Valley of tears

Sigöldugljúfur, often named as the “Valley of Tears,” is a stunning canyon located in the Icelandic highlands. It is famous for its incredible natural beauty, characterized by numerous waterfalls flowing out of the walls of the canyon, vibrant turquoise waters, and lush greenery. This hidden gem is a relatively less known destination than other popular tourist attractions in the heart of South Iceland, offering a serene and picturesque experience for those who take the time to go there.

The canyon is known for its multiple small waterfalls that flow down its steep walls. These waterfalls contribute to the nickname “Valley of Tears,” creating a mystical and otherwordly atmosphere.

The pools and streams in Sigöldugljúfur have a striking turquoise hue, which is a result of the minerals in the glacial water it. This vibrant color contrasts beautifully with the surrounding vegetation and rock formations.

Despite being located in the highlands on your way to Landmannalaugar , the area around Sigöldugljúfur is surprisingly fertile, with moss, grass, and other plant life thriving along the canyon walls and floor.

Sigöldugljúfur is located in the central highlands of South Iceland, near the road F208, which is part of the Fjallabaksleið route. This area is more remote and less frequently visited, providing a peaceful escape from the more crowded tourist destinations. This incredible canyon is actually on your way to Landmannalaugar from Landhotel. A short detour on road F208 will bring you right to the canyon.

Distance from Landhotel: 70 km.

Main image credited to Maps of Iceland

Waterfalls in South Iceland

May 30, 2024 By landhotel Blog Comments Off

South Iceland is the home of waterfalls

South Iceland is home to some of the country’s most attractive and popular waterfalls, where each offers a unique and breathtaking scenery.

All those waterfalls are in a short distance from Landhotel in approximately 30 minutes – 1 hr drive from the hotel.

Here are some of the most renowned waterfalls in the region (search for the waterfalls on the interactive map on the bottom of the page to see their location and images):

seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, known for its picturesque beauty and the unique experience it offers to travellers.

Seljalandsfoss drops 60 meters (197 ft) from the cliffs to the ground where visitors are standing.

The uniqueness of the waterfall is that visitors can walk behind it along a gravel path, providing a spectacular and immersive perspective.

The waterfall is easily accessible from the road no. 1 (the ring road), and it is a very popular stop for tourists traveling the south coast of Iceland.

Distance from Landhotel : 55 km

Click on the interactive map below and search for Seljalandsfoss to see its location and images

Gljúfrabúi

Gljúfrabúi, also known as the “hidden waterfall,” is a lesser-known gem located only 500 m from Seljalandsfoss and its quite immaculate waterfall.

Gljúfrabúi falls 40 meters (131 ft) into a narrow canyon where you have to walk into.

The waterfall is partially obscured by a large cliff, and visitors must go through a shallow stream and a small opening to get an up-close view, making the experience more adventurous and intimate. Remember to wear a waterproof boots and jacket.

While it is a bit more challenging to reach due to the narrow entrance, it is close to Seljalandsfoss and worth the short detour.

Distance from Landhotel: 55 km

Click on the interactive map below and search for Gljúfrabúi to see its location and images

Kvernufoss

Kvernufoss is a beautiful and somewhat hidden waterfall located near Skógafoss and a must see when visiting Skógafoss.

Similar to Seljalandsfoss, visitors can walk behind the waterfall for a unique view. It is less crowded, offering a more personal experience.

In order to see Kvernufoss you must take a short hike from the Skógar Museum, making it a peaceful retreat from the more tourist-heavy sites.

Distance from Landhotel: 83 km.

Click on the interactive map below and search for Kvernufoss to see its location and images

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is another iconic waterfall in the heart of South Iceland, located on the Skógá River. It is knowned for its impressive height and beautiful surroundings.

Skógafoss is 60 meters high (197 ft) and its power and size make it on of the largest and most striking waterfalls in Iceland. On sunny days, the waterfall often produces vivid rainbows due to the mist created by the falling water. There is a staircase leading to a viewing platform at the top, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Skógafoss is located near the small village of Skógar, just off the road no. 1 (the Ring Road), and it is highly accessible all year around.

There is a large parking area near the waterfall, along with restrooms and small café.

Distance from Landhotel: 83 km.

Click on the interactive map below and search for Skógafoss to see its location and images

Háifoss

Háifoss, which translates to “High Waterfall,” is one of Iceland’s tallest and most impressive waterfalls. Located in the Þjórsárdalur valley, it is a remarkable sight that offers a spectacular blend of nature and icelandic wild terrain.

Adjacent to Háifoss is another beautiful waterfall called Granni, meaning “Neighbor.” The two waterfalls together create a stunning view which will make you in awe seeing those two powerfull waterfalls plunging into the same river.

Distance from Landhotel: 60 km.

Click on the interactive map below and search for Haífoss to see its location and images

gullfoss

Gullfoss (The Golden Falls) is the most renowned waterfall in South Iceland. It is a part of the famous Golden Circle route, most tourists take when visiting Iceland.

Gullfoss is a breathtaking natural wonder that presents the raw beauty and power of Iceland’s landscapes. Its dramatic two-tiered cascade, has rich history, and its accessibility makes it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling in South Iceland. Whether viewed in the warm colors of summer or the icy beauty of winter, Gullfoss offers an unforgettable experience that highlights the unique charm of the Icelandic wilderness.

Distance from Landhotel: 92 km.

Click on the interactive map below and search for Gullfoss to see its location and images.

Images credited to Maps of Iceland

Capture the perfect image of the Northern Lights

May 19, 2024 By landhotel Blog Comments Off

Capture the perfect image

Camera settings are very important when you are trying to capture the perfect image of the the Northern Lights

Using the right camera settings is essential for achieving the perfect image as it ensures optimal exposure, focus, color accuracy, and composition. If you master these settings it will allow you to adapt to various conditions, capture your artistic vision of the objects, and produce high-quality, impactful photographs to share as your memories to your family and friends.

Capturing the Northern Lights on a crisp, clear night will become your lifelong favorite photo in your photo album.

Your camera settings.

Start by setting your camera to manual mode. Modern cameras have great automatic modes, but manual camera settings are a better fit for photographing the Northern Lights.

Set focus to infinity.

Set your focus on the farthest possible point, or “focus to infinity.” It’s best to set the focus during daylight and mark the correct lens position, instead of fumbling with your lens in the dark.

Use a wide aperture.

Open your camera’s aperture as wide as it will go (the lowest possible f-stop). This will ensure that the Northern Lights and the sky behind them are in focus instead of the surrounding environment.

Select a low shutter speed.

Use the lowest possible shutter speed. If the Aurora moves very slowly, you could use exposure times of up to 20 seconds. Adjust the setting downward if the lights move faster.

Set a high ISO value.

You will be photographing at night, so set your camera’s ISO value all the way to 2,000 or higher. You can go lower (around 800) if you’re lucky enough to catch an incredibly bright Aurora.

Set the white balance to automatic.

Take a test shot with automatic white balance and see how the photo looks. If it’s not that great, a good manual setting is a Kelvin value of around 3,500.

IPHONE SETTINGS

No Flash: Models like the iPhone 11 Pro and newer have Night mode.

Use it to adjust your exposure time (around 10-15 seconds) to capture the flow of the Northern Lights.

ANDROID SETTINGS

Enable night mode on your Android’s camera app.

Adjust your ISO setting to 1600 and above (better for low light environments).

Ensure the white balance is set to around 3200K, which will help your image look more natural.

Enable a longer shutter speed and adjust it in accordance with aurora brightness.

Main image credited to Maps of Iceland

What are the Northern Lights

May 19, 2024 By landhotel Blog Comments Off

the phenomenon northern ligths

Many people ask themselves about what the Northern Lights are and what causes them to be such beautiful phenomena

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are in a fact a natural light display predominantly seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic. These spectacular displays are caused by the interaction between the Earth’s magnetic field and charged particles from the sun. So if it weren´t for the magnetic field we would not see any Northern Lights.

The magnetic field is generated by the movement of Earth´s outer core which creates electric currents which in turn generate the magnetic field.The
strength of the magnetic field varies across the Earth’s surface. It is
stronger at the poles and weaker at the equator.

Due to the solar winds from the Sun, there is a continuous stream of charged particles (electrons and protons) towards the Earth´s atmosphere. But Earth´s magnetic poles tend to attract those particles in their direction, i.e. the Earth’s magnetic field guides these particles towards the polar regions which is the reason we see the Northern Lights more around the North and South Pole.

Now, when those charged particles hit the Earth´s upper atmosphere their collision with other gas molecules generates energy to those molecules, i.e. excites them. When excited molecules return to their normal state, they release this energy back in a form of a light, the glowing light we call The Northern Lights.

what about the colors?

As we have seen the colors of the Northern Lights can be many like : Green, Red, Purple, Yellow etc.

Those colors in fact depend on type of gas of the molecules and how high they are in our atmosphere. The most common color is the Green color, but that is the energy released of the oxygen molecules about 60 miles above the Earth’s surface. Red auroras occur at higher altitudes when oxygen molecules are excited at lower energy levels. The Blue and Purple colors appear due to collision with Nitrogen molecules in the upper atmosphere.

what are the best locations?

Around the globe the best locations are high-altitude countries such as Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland Canada, Russia and Alaska. But note that Iceland is the only country where you can in fact see the Northern Lights everywhere in the whole country. The best time of the year would be from September till end of April, but we have seen the Northern Lights appear as early as in August here in Iceland.

The best locations are where there is no light pollution and dark skies, that is what makes Landhotel the best place to be at when they are flowing over Iceland.

There is no light pollution around the hotel and when the winter sky is crispy and clear you get an amazing view of a starry sky with flowing colorful Northern Lights.

In addition Landhotel has two rooftop cameras to monitor the Northern Lights and can even detect them before the human eye does, and of course when they do appear late or after midnight the hotel offers Northern Lights wake-up call to guests.

Main image credited to Maps of Iceland

Fossabrekkur

February 6, 2021 By landhotel Blog Comments Off

fossabrekkur

Where the river Ytri-Rangá begins, you’ll find a hidden gem called Fossabrekkur. This picturesque waterfall, surrounded by a lush and fertile landscape, is set in a beautiful location. It is only a 20-minute drive from Landhotel and is well marked on Route 26. After turning off the main road, you need to drive just a few hundred meters to reach a convenient parking lot. From there, it’s a short walk along a well-marked trail. Fossabrekkur is a hidden gem well worth visiting.

A great idea is to bring a blanket and a picnic lunch from the hotel to fully enjoy the magical environment.

Landmannalaugar – Natural hotsprings

August 24, 2017 By landhotel Blog Comments Off

landmannalaugar

the highland pearl of iceland

Landmannalaugar is one of the hidden pearls of Iceland, it is a truly magical place.

Landmannalaugar is a jewel of the Icelandic Highlands, offering a unique blend of vibrant colors, geothermal activity, and stunning natural beauty. Its rhyolite mountains, hot springs, and diverse landscapes make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to experience the extraordinary and otherworldly scenery of Iceland. Whether you’re hiking the famous Laugavegur Trail, soaking in a natural hot spring, or simply taking in the breathtaking views, Landmannalaugar promises an unforgettable adventure.

The amazing color scheme in Landmannalaugar comes from different the different types of volcanic rocks which reflects in various shades of red, pink, green, blue and yellow so the mountains almost look surreal in the distance.

the hiking trails

There are numerous hiking trails in the area, ranging from short, easy walks to challenging multi-day treks. These trails provide access to some of the most scenic spots in the region.

Popular trails include the Laugahraun Lava Field loop (approx. 4.5 km), an easy hike through a dramatic lava field. For a panoramic view, the Brennisteinsalda trail (6.5 km) leads you past steaming vents and vibrant slopes. The Bláhnjúkur trail (6.1 km) is steeper but rewards hikers with sweeping views from one of the area’s tallest peaks. For experienced trekkers, the Laugavegur Trail is a multi-day hike (about 55 km) from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, passing through some of Iceland’s most varied and stunning terrain.

Each trail offers a unique glimpse into the raw beauty of Icelandic nature, suitable for all levels of hikers.

the natural hot pool

Landamannalaugar is also famous for its geothermal hot springs, there you can dip into a natural pool of geothermal water, relax after a nice hike , and enjoy the amazing view of the surroundings. Just remember to bring your swimsuit and towel.

The best time to visit Landmannalaugar is during the summer months when the roads are accessible and the weather is milder. This is also when the hiking trails are most open, and the vibrant colors of the landscape are at their peak.

Landmannalaugar is located in the highlands of South Iceland and can be accessed via the F-roads (mountain roads) F208 and F225. These roads are typically open from June to September and require a 4×4 vehicle. It is only roughly an hour away from Landhotel which is the perfect base for your travel to Landmannalaugar.

If you don’t have a 4×4 car, don’t worry because during the summer Trex.is is offering daily bus transportation to Landmannalaugar and does stop at Landhotel to pick up guests.

To see their bus schedule please visit their website www.trex.is

Rembember to wear the appropriate gear for hiking and bring a healty lunch with you. Landhotel offers all guests to buy a nutritional lunchbox for their day excursions.