Contents
- Vik on Iceland’s south coast is a hidden gem that boasts 2 Icewear shops
- Vík í Mýrdal
- Hiking
- Skaftafell National Park
- Fimmvörðuháls
- Waterfalls:
- Seljalandsfoss
- Skógafoss
- Gljúfrabúi
- Kvernufoss
- Ice caves
- Katla
- Vatnajökull
- Langjökull
- Glacier hiking
- Black sandy beaches
- Reynisfjall mountain cliffs
- Puffins
- Icelandic wildlife
- Touring the south coast of Iceland
- What to do in Vik
Vik on Iceland’s South Coast is a Hidden Gem that Boasts 2 Icewear Shops
Vik is a must visit location when touring the south of Iceland, as well as the stunning location and fantastic facilities, Vik also benefits from two Icewear shops. Situated on the coast, Vik maybe small and picturesque, but it has a feeling of spaciousness and being close to nature. Vik nestles in a remote location in the shadow of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier that covers the Katla volcano. The facilities at Vik include cafes and restaurants, shops, petrol stations, a swimming pool, athletics track, horse trekking centre, ice cave tours, black sand beach and further benefits from accommodation at varying price levels.
Vík í Mýrdal
Vik is approximately 185Km from Reykjavik and a perfect stop off point when undertaking a south coast tour or if you’ve ventured into the Fjallabak nature reserve. Maybe you’re travelling from the direction of the Vatnajökull National Park having spent time there. Whichever route you take to get to Vik the Icewear stores are a must visit destination. The extended and improved larger store is a stunning 1500m2 building offering outdoor clothing, accessories, souvenirs and a separate wool department for your wool jumpers, blankets, gloves and more. The Vik store is combined with a supermarket, bistro/restaurant, bakery/cafe and toilet facilities. The Vik Market store across the street has on offer a larger selection of toiletries, local goods, jewellery and food items.
Vik is sometimes referred to as Vík í Mýrdal, because the village is in the municipality of Mýrdal. The village is home to approximately 1000 people of which around 60% are foreign workers, it’s a popular place for overseas workers to work in tourism, which is the main income source.
Vik is centrally located for the south coast making it a perfect base to explore the area for a fortnight, a week, a few days or for an overnight stopover. But if you stop overnight you are bound to want to return to further explore Vik and the local area!
There are various tour options, you could choose to hire a car and independently explore the south coast area, liken it to the NC 500 route in Scotland – a must do if you love stunning scenery and independent travel.
The south coast tour options include:
- Hire a car to explore independently
- Hire a motorhome for even greater independence
- A guided coach tour
- Mini bus travel
Vik is in such a stunning location that It’s impossible to describe just how beautiful the backdrop is. Nestling on the coast beneath the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and the Katla volcano. The sheer faces of the mountain create shadows and atmosphere that means the view is constantly changing. How ever you choose to travel the area offers, several stunning waterfalls, ice caves, glacier hiking, long black sandy beaches, the Reynisfjall mountain cliffs, Icelandic wildlife including puffins and of course many beautiful landscape and seascape photograph opportunities whilst making wonderful memories.
It’s advisable to dress like a native when in Iceland. The various outdoor activities are always better with the right kit and that is something that the Icewear team can 100% help you with. Whichever time of year you visit the south coast of Iceland you’ll want to layer up with the best clothing for your planned activities. In fact, you want to dress like a native! Vik may benefit from a relatively mild climate, but visitors still need the best outdoor wear to really enjoy all the fabulous activities whether its, hiking, exploring the beach, visiting waterfalls, ice caves, horse riding or full on glacier hiking.
At the very least you’ll want a waterproof coat designed to cope with Icelandic weather. The two shops in Vik will have everything you need, and because it’s from Icewear everything is excellent quality. Icewear combine decades of experience with traditional and modern to create clothing that you’ll want to wear again and again. In short don’t bother packing many clothes, make sure you have space in your suitcase to take some of the extensive Icewear range home with you. The men’s Veigar 3 layer shell jacket will take you comfortably under waterfalls and on wet weather hikes. Women are bound to love the Mia hardshell layered jacket that is waterproof and super lightweight. Whilst there pick up some socks, gloves, mittens and perhaps a hat. The writer especially loves the Lundi Puffin Design Woll Mittens that are certain to be a valuable reminder of your trip to Iceland and seeing puffins long after returning home.
Hiking in Iceland
Wherever you stay in Iceland you are never far from brilliant hiking country and Vik is no exception. Chances are most people visiting will want to do some hiking and there are hikes and trails suitable for most abilities. A twenty minute drive from Vik is Dyrhólaey and you can drive to the top for a shorter hike or park in the lower car park for more of a hiking challenge, either way you can enjoy the wonderful panoramic views including the lighthouse, the black sand beaches, stunning sea cliff arches and the Reynisdrangar rocks. Whichever you choose the general advice is to make sure you have a good windproof jacket.
Skaftafell National Park
For more challenging hikes, see glacier hiking below. Alternatively head for Skaftafell National Park that is part of the famous Vatnajökull National Park and offers many hiking opportunities including on and around the Vatnajökull glacier and including the highest point in Iceland the famous Hvannadalshnúkur peak at 2,109.6 metres (6952ft). Hvannadalshnúkur is likely to be the most challenging hike and should be undertaken with a guide, you will also need a good level of fitness and the correct clothing for the conditions although hiking experience is not required, just listen to your guide and enjoy the experience and take in the wonderful views when you reach the peak.
Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail
The Fimmvörðuháls or Five Cairn Trail is between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers and inland from Vik. The total trail is 25Km and many people choose to start by the famous Skógafoss waterfall, combining a visit to the waterfall with the opportunity to set out for a day’s hiking.
Waterfalls in Iceland
Who doesn’t love a waterfall? The south coast of Iceland has a plethora of them including the famous Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. Here is some information about the must visit waterfalls during your south coast tour or stay in Vik.
Seljalandsfoss
The Seljalandsfoss waterfall has a drop of 60 metres (200 feet). The waterfall can be fully encircled and is convenient for the main road making it one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland.
Skógafoss
Skógafoss waterfall is one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in Iceland due to its sheer magnitude. The drop of 60 metres, and the width is 25 metres. It is possible to walk right up to the base of the waterfall, but doing so means you will get very wet. The water falls from the lip of an ancient sea cliff and it’s said to be the place of hidden Viking treasure protected by magic! Look out for the troll that overlooks the waterfall too.
Gljúfrabúi waterfall is considered a hidden gem, located not far from Seljalandsfoss, less than a kilometre, it’s less than 10 minutes away. The waterfall is hidden behind a cliff and the best way to see it is to wade in the stream, (but only do so if it’s not icy and you are fit and confident to do so). On sunny days rainbows curve through the spray at this truly magical location.
Kvernufoss
Another waterfall that is convenient from the main road is Kvernufoss waterfall, in fact it can be seen from the road. The best way to see it though is to hike from the Skógasafn museum by following the river, it takes about 20 minutes. You need to stand close to the river to see the waterfall close up. The Kvernufoss waterfall may be smaller than many others at 30 metres high, but from its base its power and the noise is awe inspiring. Indeed, Kvernufoss is another waterfall that you can walk behind in the summer months, but be prepared to get very wet!
Ice Caves
Generally, the best time to visit ice caves is between October and March, however it is possible to visit the Katla ice cave all year round and the Vatnajökull and Langjökull caves below are usually open in April. When visiting any ice cave, you should do so with a certified guide who knows the cave well. You are issued with a hard hat and boot crampons for safely getting around when visiting ice caves.
Katla
The Katla Ice Cave is an outlet of the famous Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which because of the way the glacier formed has black and blue colours in the ice from the Katla volcano ash mixing with sand.
Vatnajökull
The Vatnajökull cave known as the crystal ice cave is located in the outlet glacier Breiðamerkurjökull. Vatnajökull is a seasonal ice cave that is usually available for visitors between November and April. The cave has a blue colour and as natural light passes through the glacier creating a magical experience.
Langjökull
Even though it´s located far away from Vík, the Langjökull Ice Cave is one of the largest caves in Iceland and definitely worthwhile visiting in the winter months. The cave is accessed via a snowmobile or monster truck trip, the ice varies between white and silver and golden shades with brown and blue traces.
Glacier hiking
Glacier hikes give the visitor the opportunity to explore and experience Iceland’s glacial history. The Eyjafjallajökull (yes, from the 2010 eruption!) is closest to Reykjavik. The hike is challenging, but visitors are rewarded with incredible raw beauty, Iceland’s stunning nature and reaching the summit you are treated to stunning 360o views. Also in the south and closer to Vik is the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue that features many constantly changing dramatic ice formations. It’s an outlet glacier from Mýrdalsjökull and the Sólheimajökull lagoon is next door to the start of the glacier hikes. Sólheimajökull does not need to be as challenging as Eyjafjallajökull with several options of guided glacier hikes ensuring that it is accessible to more people.
Black sandy beaches
The black sand beaches of the area are considered a must visit when staying in or touring the south coast. The sand is black due to being formed from volcanic eruptions when the boiling hot lava met the ice cold seas to be quickly cooled into black sediment. Over hundreds of years the sediment is broken down by the elements including the rolling waves and the wind to become the sand we see today. This gives a strong sense of the power of nature and connection to the land of fire and ice when you stand on one of these beaches. Especially so as the beach you are standing on was formed from the combination of fire and ice.
The black sandy beaches around Vik include the two nearest Vikurfjara and Reynisfjara beaches. Reynisfjara is an iconic beach and popular visitor spot having been featured in Game of Thrones. The long beach is impressive with the backdrop of the rugged cliffs and an impressive location for a beach stroll. Reynisfjara beach is frequently busy, in contrast Vikurfjara is usually a quiet place for a stroll and has several handy car parks on the beachfront.
Safety: These are not swimming beaches, the sea has strong undercurrents and the beaches in the area are perfect for walking, exploring and for photographs, but please don’t be tempted to take a dip. The sea is notorious for suddenly sending a bigger wave up the beach, so keep an eye out for these rogue waves or be prepared to get wet!
Reynisfjall mountain cliffs
The Reynisfjall cliffs stand below the Reynisfjall Mountain and are fore markers of the famous Reynisdrangar rock formations. At the top of the cliffs you will see the rock formations of trolls caught by the sunlight and turned to stone. The cliffs are interesting in their own right, featuring basalt columns and as a home to seabirds.
A horse riding excursion is one of the best ways to experience Reynisfjara beach and the Reynisfjall mountain cliffs.
Puffins
Reynisfjall mountain cliffs are a breeding location for Iceland’s famous Puffins. The comical adult puffins breed there between May and August and the babies known as Pufflings are incredibly cute and funny, they’re a must see if in the area.
Icelandic wildlife
As well as puffins and many other seabird species other wildlife you are likely to spot in the Vik area include Artic foxes and marine life such as dolphins, whales and seals. Plus, of course remember to look out for the famous Icelandic sheep and horses who live in the wild, rugged countryside.
Touring the south coast of Iceland
There are so many highlights, such a plethora of natural phenomenon to visit, explore and so many opportunities to hike or amble to visit Iceland’s unique landscape and seaside locations that its impossible to include everything here. I’d hedge a bet that if you ask anyone what’s their favourite thing they’ve done in the area that they’d offer the most recent place they’ve visited. Then begin to list other favourites too!
What to do in Vik
With so many beautiful natural places to visit it is easy to forget the opportunities in Vik itself.
The two Icewear shops are must visit locations, the perfect place to buy wool jumpers, outdoor clothing, and many other things from socks to souvenirs. The staff are experts in outdoor pursuits and will help you find the best kit for your requirements. Vik has several restaurants and cafes serving a wide range of cuisines. There´s the Berg restaurant at the Hotel Vik Myrdal, Halldórskaffi café (if you want to eat in an historic building head for the second oldest building along the south coast). Or for a pizza with a difference visit the number one choice of Guide to Iceland, Black Crust Pizzeria.
Other highlights include the lava show the Skaftfellingur museum and the Voyages Friendship Statue. Visitors can find out more about all that Vik and the surrounding area has to offer by visiting the Tourist Information Centre, Kotlusetur.
Finally, enjoy your visit to Vik and enjoy some of the things the south coast has to offer.
