Recommendations for Iceland in June?

hal9000

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Hi, I will be travelling to Iceland in June for 2 weeks. I will travel with a friend, we will be getting around only by foot and bus (no car) and travelling with backpacks and tent. I will carry my SL66 with 2 lenses and a small tripod and of course lots of film. Can any one recommend nice places to do some hiking and photographing that are relatively easily accessible via bus? Thanks, Hal
 

Ole

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I should think it would be fairly simple - there is one main road, going in a ring around the island. Get on a bus; when you see a nice place get off it.

Remember that it doesn't get truly dark in June, and that sunrise is in the middle of the night. If you want to get any sleep at night you should consider that when pitching your tent.

There's some good information here: http://www.austurleid.is/austurleid.htm
 

keithwms

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Like many others, I got onto that main road with the intention of going right around. But after three trips I've only made it from Reykjavík to Höfn! On that stretch alone there is so much to see, it's boggling. There are grand lanscapes and there are fascinating macros.

A particular highlight for me is the stretch between Höfn and Vík, which varies from total volcanic desolation to glacial. Note that there are guesthouses and farmhouses where you can stay, that is very nice way to meet locals, eat great food, get travel tips and pick up a little icelandic as well. I've never bothered to stay in a hotel in Iceland.

Last time I took the little flight to volcanic Heimaey in the Vestmannaeyjar islands, that was enjoyable but perhaps a bit touristy. The best thing about Heimaey was that I had no trouble sitting amongst the puffins on the edge of a cliff.

Here you can get the latest reports on earthquakes.
 
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hal9000

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Thanks for the quick replies - and also the earthquake map - cool! I have been thinking about going toward Hofn and the hiking around near the glacier lake but my hiking guide lists these routes as red (dangerous or not easily passable or poorly marked) but I guess I will do as Ole suggests and just get off the bus where things look nice and enjoy myself!
 

Dan Henderson

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Having just returned from a great 10 day trip to Iceland, I will second David's suggestion to contact Bill, and add my own thoughts. We went around the island, which was great for the first time in Iceland, but of course that meant we could not explore any one area in depth. As mentioned above, the areas around and between Vik and Hofn are very rich. I was very taken by the fjords in the north. We spent part of a day on the Vatnsnes peninsula, and I can imagine that other areas of the north are equally rewarding. I'd suggest researching the country via the internet and guidebooks, and tailoring your visit to the subject matter you are most interested in shooting.
 

aj-images

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does anyone know how many miles the road is that loops around the island? thanks - Jim
 
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