Landmannalaugar & Hekla volcano

After boarding our Superjeeps in Reykjavik, we cross fertile South Iceland

farmlands, opening up to grand views of Hekla volcano's snow-covered top

(elev. 1491m). Hekla's next eruption is long overdue and expected at any time

so you just might catch the show. Since Iceland's human settlement in the

ninth century, Hekla's 20-30 eruptions have ranged from pretty little tourist

attractions to explosive disasters. There's no wonder Hekla has long been taken

for the entrance to Hell for damned souls. Conditions permitting, we may make

it up onto the volcano’s eruptive ridge, ca 900m above sea level, where the air

is crisp and the views incomparable. Pushing deeper into Iceland's eruptive

interior, we take in and touch scenery so unreal it is repeatedly used for other-

world Hollywood A-films. When we arrive in Landmannalaugar we can hike, or

dip in Iceland's most famous natural hot pool, or both. When you havet been

suitably geothermally cooked, it’s time to head north through “does-this-really-

exist” looking surroundings with stop at Gjáin (Games of thrones site) before

driving towards Reykjavík.