Epic Travel → Europe → Iceland → Southwest Iceland → Thingvellir

Location: Golden Circle, Southwest Iceland

Time Required: 2 – 8 hours (depending on activities)

Red Tape/Notes: Open 24 hours a day; admission is free.

What’s Nearby?: Gullfoss, Geysir, Faxi, Friðheimar, Hrunalaug, Reykjavík, Eldhestar, Glymur

Thingvellir is an interesting national park – it has a fascinating history, being the site of Iceland’s parliamentary meetings from the 10th – 18th centuries. It also has a very picturesque little church, the current incarnation of which was built in 1859 (although the original church  was built around 1000 CE using gifts from King Olaf the Stout of Norway…I think it’s a major loss to society that we don’t name our leaders in such colorful language anymore). The park is also situation in a rift valley, between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. This creates a fascinating and beautiful fissured landscape, and there are various hiking trails allowing you to explore the area and view things like Öxarárfoss and Almannagja (the Öxará river actually runs through Almannagja, which is a gorge created by the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and eventually drops over into the Öxarárfoss – so you can visit both in the same hike). And finally there’s the diving (or snorkeling if you prefer), at Silfra Fissure. Silfra is a remarkable and stunning rift created by the separation of the tectonic plates – the marketing pitch is that you get to swim between two continents, but honestly it would be a beautiful dive or snorkel regardless. Plus the assembly of yourself and your companions into your ridiculous layers and dry suits is pretty hilarious.

Epic Travel → Europe → Iceland → Southwest Iceland → Thingvellir