Landmannalaugar and the Valley of Tears [Jun - Sept] | from Reykjavík

Hjálparfoss is a beautiful, two-stepped waterfall that cascades down into a large plunge pool that is surrounded by very unique basalt rock formations. The surrounding area is called Hjálp or “help” because when people had to travel from the north to the south over the highlands of Iceland they had to travel through the harsh and desolated Sprengisandur route. It was usually very hard to find a place in this desert route to feed the horses and when arriving at the lush area near Hjálparfoss people thought of it as a help, because finally there was grass for the horses to bite after this long journey.

Welcome to Landmannalaugar in Iceland. We will stop here for a couple of hours. The guide will offer you a hike up to Brennisteinsalda or the Sulfur Wave. During the hike, you are surrounded by nature so peculiar that you would hardly be surprised if you saw an elf running by. The colourful rhyolite mountains and some small hot springs scattered all over close to Brennisteinsalda with mystical steam rising from them. When returning to the huts, after about two hours of hiking, there still is enough time to take a bath in the natural pool.

The magical Sigöldugljúfur canyon is quite an extraordinary natural wonder with its many small spring-fed streams, small ponds, crystal clear waterfalls, colourful vegetation, and fascinating cliffs.