{"id":785,"date":"2016-07-06T22:01:01","date_gmt":"2016-07-06T22:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wopethemes.com\/demo\/mega2\/?page_id=785"},"modified":"2023-05-14T05:02:47","modified_gmt":"2023-05-14T05:02:47","slug":"cycling-vatnajokull","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cyclingiceland.is\/is\/cycling-vatnajokull\/","title":{"rendered":"Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
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Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park spans the largest glacier of Iceland, vast highland areas, volcanoes, rivers and lakes.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0its southwestern part, Lakag\u00edgar is a series of craters formed during the Skaft\u00e1reldar eruption in 1783 which left\u00a0behind lava flows extending over 60 km. In this magnificent area we recommend three routes leading to the Laki\u00a0craters.<\/p>\n

Please note that services in this highland area are limited. You need to bring all provisions, and remember to take enough water from the fords and rest places. There are a few huts and you can put up your tent at the campsite in Bl\u00e1gil which provides water and a shower.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Main Cycling Routes<\/h4>\n

The Laki circle (39 km)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The heart of the Laki<\/strong> area is encircled by the roads F207 and F206<\/strong>. Within this ring, there are many beautiful\u00a0volcanic craters. Fragile green moss contrasts with the landscape of black ash and lava. There are interesting\u00a0hiking trails at the Laki mountain and at the Tjarnarg\u00edgur<\/strong> crater lake.<\/em><\/p>\n

The river Varm\u00e1<\/strong> which has been displaced by the lava flows is crossed in the western part of road F207<\/strong>. \u00a0The\u00a0original path of Varm\u00e1 was 2 km south of Laki where you can see only a few small streams today.<\/p>\n

Water is also\u00a0available at the rest places at Laki and Tjarnarg\u00edgur and in Bl\u00e1gil.<\/p>\n

The middle route F206 (35 km)<\/strong>The main access road to Laki is F206<\/strong>. It is quite easy to cycle, the climbs are not too steep, but you need to cross\u00a0several fords. <\/em><\/p>\n

The route begins 6 km west of Kirkjub\u00e6jarklaustur<\/strong>. After passing the bridge over Skaft\u00e1<\/strong>, a 1 km\u00a0detour to Fja\u00f0r\u00e1rglj\u00fafur<\/strong> gorge is recommended before continuing north. After the last farm Hei\u00f0arsel<\/strong> a track along\u00a0a power line leading to Lei\u00f0\u00f3lfsfell<\/strong> intersects the F206<\/strong>. Continuing on the main road, you pass a deserted farm,\u00a0and 1 km farther north you will reach the first of several fords. Geirlands\u00e1<\/strong> is the largest, but usually safe to cross.<\/p>\n

North of Geirlands\u00e1, a short detour to the east leads to Fagrifoss<\/strong>, a stunning waterfall. After several smaller fords\u00a0and Hellis\u00e1 ford, you reach the Laki circle at the crossroads of roads F206 and F207<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The western route (48 km)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The western route is best to cycle on the return trip from Laki. In this direction, the steep sections are downhill,\u00a0and there is less danger of getting lost. <\/em><\/p>\n

In a lava field in the southwest of the Laki circle, turn on a track to the hut\u00a0Hrossatungur<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

After the hut, the route continues to the south, always remain on the main track.<\/p>\n

After some\u00a0streams, the track passes the western side of Lei\u00f0\u00f3lfsfell<\/strong>, where there is accommodation in a turf hut.<\/p>\n

1 km\u00a0farther south, turn left at the power line and follow it to the southeast.<\/p>\n

2 km later, you will reach the ford across\u00a0Hellis\u00e1<\/strong>. It is quite shallow and calm and usually easy to cross. The main track continues along the power line until\u00a0reaching the F206.<\/p>\n

Cyclists may turn right 1.5 km after the ford onto a horse riding path which is closed for\u00a0motorized traffic. You will pass a gate and follow the path to the south.<\/p>\n

After 5 km, the track leaves the highland\u00a0and descends to the farm Skaft\u00e1rdalur<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

From the farm, use the bridge over Skaft\u00e1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

After 4 km, you reach road\u00a0F208 \/ 208 that connects with road No. 1.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The eastern route (40 km)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This jeep track is not always well-defined, and it has some steep climbs in both directions. <\/em><\/p>\n

The route begins\u00a0roughly 0.5 km south of the rest place at Mt.<\/strong>\u00a0Laki<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The first section (formerly a part of F206) goes eastward\u00a0along the southern foot of Mt. Laki. Then the track turns left uphill to the northeast.<\/p>\n

On the slope of Mt. Bl\u00e6ngur<\/strong>, the route turns to the south and descends. After a turnoff to the nearby hut Bl\u00e6ngur (closed), the main\u00a0track continues south, crosses a few streams and aims at Miklafell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

At the mountain, a path to the northeast leads\u00a0to Laufbalavatn lake<\/strong>. At the lake you can find one of the most remarkable systems of lava caves in Iceland, protected\u00a0as a natural monument. If you are properly equipped, you may explore these magnificent caves, but take care to\u00a0not get lost.<\/p>\n

The main track turns west around Miklafell<\/strong>, and is rather rough in this section. South of the\u00a0mountain, a short detour leads to the hut Miklafell (accommodation).<\/p>\n

Continuing to south\u00a0through a lava field, the track improves while descending to the farm \u00dever\u00e1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

After 2 km you\u00a0finally reach road No. 1 at Orrustuh\u00f3ll<\/strong> which is a conspicuous tuff \u201cisland\u201d in a lava flow ca.\u00a015 km east of Kirkjub\u00e6jarklaustur<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park spans the largest glacier of Iceland, vast highland areas, volcanoes, rivers and lakes. In\u00a0its southwestern part, Lakag\u00edgar is a series of craters formed during the Skaft\u00e1reldar eruption in 1783 which left\u00a0behind lava flows extending over 60 km. In this magnificent area we recommend three routes leading to the Laki\u00a0craters. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-container-style":"default","site-container-layout":"default","site-sidebar-layout":"default","disable-article-header":"default","disable-site-header":"default","disable-site-footer":"default","disable-content-area-spacing":"default","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-785","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1643,"url":"https:\/\/cyclingiceland.is\/is\/vatnajokull-national-park-north\/","url_meta":{"origin":785,"position":0},"title":"Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park – North","author":"cyclingadmin2016","date":"j\u00fal\u00ed 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"[:en] Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park - North The northern part of Vatnaj\u00f6kull National park and surrounding area is a magnificent landscape full of geological wonders. 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