{"id":3835,"date":"2020-10-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/camperstories\/nature-therapy-iceland\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T13:19:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T13:19:34","slug":"nature-therapy-iceland","status":"publish","type":"camperstories","link":"https:\/\/www.rent.is\/da\/camperstories\/nature-therapy-iceland\/","title":{"rendered":"Nature therapy in Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Words by Angie Daz\u00e9, photos by Sylvain Gatti<\/em><\/p>\n

After a difficult year, Sylvain and I felt we owed ourselves a break. For us a good holiday involves a bit of adventure and a good hit of nature – we\u2019re not the type to sit on a beach or traipse through museums. Iceland has been on my destination list for a while now and it seemed to meet all of the needs \u2013 a bit of cool city time in Reykjav\u00edk, ample opportunities for hiking and being in nature and small enough to manage in a couple of weeks. \u00a0Throw in volcanoes and elves and it was a done deal. \u00a0We booked our flights, bought a guidebook and started planning our Iceland trip.<\/div>\n
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\"Vacation<\/a><\/div>\n
Our happy home on wheels<\/em><\/div>\n
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Van life was new to me. \u00a0I\u2019ve done loads of camping, but usually involving a tent and either a canoe or a heavy backpack. \u00a0I am not a road trip person \u2013 Sylvain dreams of someday owning a camper van, but I was very resistant to the idea of driving around for a holiday. \u00a0However, Iceland being what it is, the camper van seemed like the best way forward, combining transport and accommodation in one cute little Kangoo. \u00a0I worried a bit that we\u2019d drive each other nuts being crammed in such a small space for two weeks, but I decided to treat it as another marital challenge to be overcome. \u00a0In the end, I loved the camper van experience, and I was certain that it was the right choice when it was shaking in the wind and the rain was pounding the roof \u2013 those poor people in tents were on my mind as we cozied up in our little home on wheels.<\/div>\n
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Read more<\/strong>: How to drive in Iceland<\/a><\/div>\n
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\"Sleeping<\/a><\/div>\n
Cozy in the van on a rainy, windy night<\/em><\/div>\n
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Everything I\u2019d read seemed to indicate that the Northern Lights were rare in September, so that was one Icelandic experience I was not expecting on this trip. \u00a0In Reykjav\u00edk we heard rumors that they had started, so we were cautiously optimistic, Sylvain setting his alarm for midnight in hopes of catching them. \u00a0On our second night in Hellissandur, they appeared, green and purple streaks dancing across a clear, starry sky. \u00a0Everyone in the campsite <\/a>was out of their tents and vans, but it was completely silent. Sylvain set up his tripod and captured some brilliant photos, while I gazed at the aurora and tried to spot shooting stars.<\/div>\n
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\"Northern<\/a><\/div>\n
The Northern lights over Hellissandur<\/em><\/div>\n
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We hiked all along the way, in Sn\u00e6fellsj\u00f6kull National Park, Siglufj\u00f6r\u00f0ur, M\u00fdvatn, Seydisfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur and Vatnaj\u00f6kull National Park. \u00a0Our walks took us through spectacular lava fields and over mountains to volcanic craters, the most amazing waterfalls<\/a> and stunning beaches.<\/div>\n
Doing our trip in September meant chilly weather, but also, importantly for us, less people. \u00a0What we didn\u2019t realize was that most people stick close to their vehicles, so choosing to hike meant that we had many of these spaces completely to ourselves. \u00a0And the fall colors \u2013 red blueberry bushes and yellow ferns \u2013add a whole other dimension to the landscape alongside the various shades of green moss and multi-colored rocks and mountains. We\u2019re fairly used to being in the mountains, but the Icelandic trails offered up some navigational challenges: we learned to keep a constant focus on the next green and yellow post to avoid losing the path.<\/div>\n
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\"Waterfall<\/a><\/div>\n
Waterfall hike above Sey\u00f0isfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur<\/em><\/div>\n
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Iceland seems to have endless natural wonders. \u00a0The glacial lagoons at J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n<\/div>\n
and Fjalls\u00e1rl\u00f3n are incredibly beautiful, with icebergs of all colors, shapes and sizes. While not as dramatic as these, the lagoon at Heinaberg was magical, not least because there were no tour buses and we were able to quietly contemplate the glacier and its ice floes drifting away. \u00a0Definitely worth leaving the main road for.<\/div>\n
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\"The<\/a><\/div>\n
J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n glacial lagoon<\/em><\/div>\n
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Around M\u00fdvatn, we were awed by the volcanic activity, with its diversity of colors and textures creating an otherworldly atmosphere.<\/div>\n
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\"Leirhnj\u00fakur<\/a><\/div>\n
Steamy Leirhnj\u00fakur in the Krafla area<\/em><\/div>\n
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We are not big on organized activities when we travel, but there were two experiences we didn\u2019t want to miss. \u00a0We spent an amazing morning with North Sailing in H\u00fasavik, which included a spectacular show by a humpback, as well as beautiful scenery and lots of birds. \u00a0We would highly recommend this company for their beautiful boat, interesting guiding and respectful approach to interacting with the whales.<\/div>\n
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\"Humpback<\/a><\/div>\n
Secret the humpback whale in Skj\u00e1lfanda Bay<\/em><\/div>\n
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Our last full day in Iceland was also our third wedding anniversary. \u00a0We decided to celebrate with a guided walk on the Sv\u00ednafellsj\u00f6kull glacier. \u00a0Walking on the ice gave us a whole new perspective on the dynamic nature of the glacier, constantly changing and evolving. Being inside the glacier, in a natural ice cave, was a highlight of the morning. Icelandic Mountain Guides provided us with a great experience.<\/div>\n
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\"Glacier<\/a><\/div>\n
Walking on thick ice on the Sv\u00ednafellsj\u00f6kull glacier<\/em><\/div>\n
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Food is very important to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of creating yummy meals with minimal ingredients on a one-burner camp stove in windy conditions. \u00a0We also had amazing meals out at the Settlement Center in Borgarnes, Sj\u00e1varborg in Hvammstangi, Narfeyrarstofa in Stykkish\u00f3lmur, and Pakkh\u00fas in H\u00f6fn, among others. \u00a0Being vegetarian, I wasn\u2019t sure how easy it would be to find good food, but all of these restaurants had delicious and creative veggie options, while Sylvain was more than happy to sample the local fish and seafood. \u00a0Topped off with great coffee and carrot cake or innovative Sk\u00fdr-based desserts, we were very satisfied foodies. \u00a0The Skaftfell Bistro in Sey\u00f0isfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur was another favorite, providing a cozy, comfortable refuge with pizza and wine on a particularly wet, gusty night.<\/div>\n
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\"Cooking<\/a><\/div>\n
Gourmet camp dinner in Skaftafell<\/em><\/div>\n
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It\u2019s a bit difficult to get around Iceland, not because the roads are bad or there is a lot of traffic, but because you want to stop every few minutes to take another photo. \u00a0We drove over two thousand kilometers in two weeks and there was not a single stretch that wasn\u2019t spectacular. \u00a0The diversity of landscapes is just breathtaking. \u00a0There were moments where I had tears in my eyes and others where I laughed out loud because I just couldn\u2019t believe how beautiful it was. I have been very lucky to travel to many parts of the world, for work and for pleasure, but this trip will stand out in my memory for years to come, and it won\u2019t be long before we are planning another camper van adventure<\/a> in Iceland.<\/div>\n
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\"Fjallsj\u00f6kull<\/a><\/div>\n
Fjallsj\u00f6kull glacier and Fjalls\u00e1rl\u00f3n lagoon<\/em><\/div>\n
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Read more<\/strong>: Iceland in 4 days<\/a><\/div>\n
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Happy Camping! \u00a0#CamperStories<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\u00a0Iceland Travel Guides<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Swimming<\/a>\u00a0\"Hot<\/a><\/p>\n