Kaldidalur
Encyclopedia
The Kaldidalsvegur is the shortest of the highland tracks traversing the Highlands of Iceland
, therefore the nickname "highlands for beginners". Its name derives from the valley it crosses: kaldidalur means "cold dale/valley". Sometimes the Kaldidalsvegur is referred to as simply "the Kaldidalur".
It begins a bit to the north of Þingvellir
and to the west of the volcano
Skjaldbreiður
, which really comes up to its name (meaning broad shield). The track continues between the glaciers Þórisjökull
and Ok
and leads up to the north. To the east of Reykholt
it comes near the Reykholtsdalur to Húsafell
. Then it continues up to Hvammstangi at the Miðfjörður.
The other well known highland routes are Kjölur
and Sprengisandur
.
Highlands of Iceland
The Highlands of Iceland cover most of the interior of Iceland. They are situated above 400–500 metres and are mostly an uninhabitable volcanic desert, because the water precipitating as rain or snow infiltrates so quickly into the ground that it is unavailable for plant growth, which results...
, therefore the nickname "highlands for beginners". Its name derives from the valley it crosses: kaldidalur means "cold dale/valley". Sometimes the Kaldidalsvegur is referred to as simply "the Kaldidalur".
Þingvellir
|Thing]] Fields) is a place in Bláskógabyggð in southwestern Iceland, near the peninsula of Reykjanes and the Hengill volcanic area. Þingvellir is a site of historical, cultural, and geological importance and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. It is the site of a rift...
and to the west of the volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
Skjaldbreiður
Skjaldbreiður
Skjaldbreiður, meaning the broad shield in Icelandic, is an Icelandic mountain from whose name the term "shield volcano" derives. It was formed in a huge and protracted eruption roughly 9,000 years ago...
, which really comes up to its name (meaning broad shield). The track continues between the glaciers Þórisjökull
Þórisjökull
Þórisjökull or Thórisjökull is a small glacier and volcano in western-central Iceland, to the southwest of Langjökull glacier. It has an elevation of . Kaldidalur lies in the foreground.-Position:...
and Ok
Ok (glacier)
Ok is a shield volcano in Iceland, to the west of Langjökull. It erupted during interglacials in the Pleistocene. The glacier on top is thought to have disappeared ....
and leads up to the north. To the east of Reykholt
Reykholt
There are two villages with this name in Iceland:-Reykholt :The village is situated in the valley of the river Reykjadalsá, called Reykholtsdalur....
it comes near the Reykholtsdalur to Húsafell
Húsafell
Húsafell is a sprawling farm and church estate and the former site of a rectory. It is the innermost farm in Borgarfjörður in the west county of Iceland, not far from Reykholt and Reykholtsdalur. Húsafell farm now serves as a hub of service for various types of tourists visiting and residing in...
. Then it continues up to Hvammstangi at the Miðfjörður.
The other well known highland routes are Kjölur
Kjölur
The Kjölur is a highland road in Iceland. It is the second longest of the roads through the Highlands of Iceland. It takes about 5 hours to traverse by car.- Geography :...
and Sprengisandur
Sprengisandur
Sprengisandur is a highland gravel road in Iceland, running between the glaciers Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull. The name also refers to the highland region surrounding the road....
.