Two thundering waterfalls, a fantastic rocky landscape full of twisted basalt columns, vivid thermal hot springs and mud pools, and an active volcanic area of lava fields and steamy vents.
Dettifoss and Sellfoss are both spectacular waterfalls, only a few kilometres apart, on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river which flows down from Vatnajokull. There was so much water coming over the falls that they'd closed the lower trail next to Dettifoss.
There was consequently an immense amount of spray which made for impressive rainbows.
About 15km north of Dettifoss, Hijodaklettar - Echo Rocks - is a rocky landscape of fantastical shapes along the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.
The rock formations are impressive, especially the twisted basalt columns that we were actually walking on for part of the trail, the columns lying horizontally. When the trail over the rocks became too difficult we turned back.
An area of geothermal activity with bubbling mud pools, vividly colourful boiling water ponds and a sulphurous atmosphere.
North of Namaskard Pass is Krafla, an active volcanic area. The crater of the Krafla volcano is now filled with a beautiful blue lake. The shade of blue differs depending on angle and camera!
We walked all round the crater rim before heading off to Leihrnjukur, one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland, surrounded by bubbling mud pots and steam vents.
It's quite tricky underfoot crossing the lava fields but such an amazing landscape.
