When I think of going north I tend to visualize snowcapped mountains. While I’m sure there are many in the north, the Ring Road takes you through the center of the north which presents fewer snowcapped mountains than the fjords, but plenty of volcanic activity.
It is hard to imagine anything on Route 1 being off the beaten path, but much of the East Fjords has that feel. This is an area with something new around every corner and plenty of surprises.
The lush greenery of the southern coast provided more stunning vistas at every turn with dozens of waterfalls cascading from the cliffs above. While this part of the country is known for hordes of tourists, and we did deal with some, we also found a few magical places to enjoy in peace.
A little over a year ago much of this area was ravaged by fire, but now the rains have come and life has returned full force in a dramatic way. While these areas are often baked brown, we had the privilege to witness the hills in green and golden splendor. Walking through the hills surrounded by wildflowers that were often taller than us and watching butterflies flit about was magical.
Stunning! This area was like Ha Long Bay on land, but without the pollution and a fraction of the tourists.
The climb into the canyon is comparable to Santa Elena, except less railings. The canyon is similar to Santa Elena, but has a different feel. Stop and skip some stones to Mexico, just because you can.
Dramatic but tranquil, very rewarding for an easy hike. Santa Elena Canyon was gorgeous. From the lookout you could see an abrupt stone wall stretching into the distance in both direction. It was a severe transition from rolling desert to a solid wall of stone that only parted for the canyon. In my opinion this is the prettiest of the canyons.
You can do Dog Canyon for an in canyon experience or Devil’s Den for a rim hike.