28.05. 24 Hella - Vik I Myrdal

Largely flat and easy stretch, with a surprise at the end. And most of the time a light tail wind. Sounds like an easy job, but the second (and often third) day are often the hardest of long treks. You feel the day before and your body is not yet adjusted to daily effort. 

This must be one of the beautiful parts of Iceland. Anbjørg and I visited it back in 1995 around the first of May. Then everything was still brown, but now most of the fields were green against the backdrop of the dramatic formations of the mountain sides behind. 

I reached Hvolsvöllur after 40 minutes, and decided to go for a coffee, imagening this was the last opportunity before Vik. Now that WAS wrong! The road between Seljansfossen and Skogarfoss is peppered with hotels, restaurants etc. Seems to be an attractive extra (or main?) business for many farms. Tourism has exploded, and even now at the end of May there are many tourists. 

Seljansfossen. You can walk behind but I didn't bother, guess I will have enough rain on this trip. Anbjørg and I did it in 1995, then we were on our own. Now there was a large, full parking lot. 

There are many waterfalls in the area. The next picture gives a nice impression of the landscape. 

I had prepared sandwiches, but couldn't resist lunch in the "Gamla fjösid" (the old barn). Went for a Volcano soup. It was fair enough, but quite a small portion (for me). I mentioned that and got a second serving ☺

The tractor is not new either

6km before Vik there was a surprise: 12% slope 100m up! This is at the limit what I can do with 25kg luggage. I managed somehow, but it was a hard finish. Luckily the descent to Vik was more gradual. 

You can see it is pretty flat, until the end

Ended the day with a visit in the public swimming pool again. With reduced fee for 67+ ☺

Statistics:

95km, total time 7:30, active time 5:10, which gives a moving average of 18. 4km/h. Total ascent 350m.

A few more pictures if you want to see more of Iceland. 

Nice colours, but not a nice picture. The lupine is taking over many places also on Iceland.Who do you think wins, the lupine or the dandelion? Many people like to get rid of dandelions, and the lupine will do the job. But the remedy is worse than the problem. 

Typical part of the landscape

The black sand beach of Vik. Reminds of Santorini. Not the same temperature in the water though. And look at the formations in the background! 

Nice spot for the camping in Vik