Today we did a long looping drive into the interior highlands on some 4x4 only F roads.
Part of the loop isn’t even on Google maps and I had to draw it in by hand. Also I wasn’t sure that we could even do the loop as there is a big river crossing at the top of the loop that all the websites and blogs warn can be too deep for anything but the giant tired super jeeps.
We did he loop in the clockwise direction, road 209 to F232 to F210 and then back to the ring road.
F232 was much more scenic than F210 but but F232 was a lot rougher and bumpier so I am glad that we didn’t have to do an out and back.
Our first stop was Leirarfoss.
Onward with a view of more glaciers.
Our first “river” crossing.
Next was Holmsarfoss.
It was here that we met Nick and Kay, a lovely couple from near London, England. We, as were they, a bit nervous about doing this route alone so we decided to travel together and at least keep each other in sight.
Heading across a vast black lava sand plain towards the glaciers.
This is as close as we got to the glacier.
One photosphere and another photosphere.
Driving above a deep river valley with the glacier in the background.
A photosphere.
Our first real river crossing was very interesting because you cross right on the edge of the waterfall Blafallafoss.
Nick was in a Toyota Land Cruiser with much bigger tires than me so he went first (he was also braver).
I went over one big rock during our crossing that made me jump a bit but really had trouble getting up the hill at the end.
There was a big rut on the right side that I spun my tires in and came to a stop. I backed up and tried again with the same result. The rock in the middle of the road was why I stuck to the right but on the third try I added some speed and we just bounced over the rock and up the hill. Whew!
We watched someone else going across in the other direction. I asked him about the big river crossing and he said “Well, I didn’t have a problem” which didn’t really reassure me much.
Kay took a video of us crossing and I will post some captures from it once she gets home and can send it to me.
There was a parking area below the falls where we stopped and had lunch.
A photosphere.
Onwards.
To the dreaded crossing.
There were our two cars on this side and one on the other side all wondering what was the best path across . Nick even waded into the freeing water to check out the depths.
Then a car came from our side and without hesitation plunged in. This was his path.
Across a smaller branch of the river to sandbar, across a really small branch to another sand bar and then the long drive through the deep section to the other side. I am told that you should always try to go slightly angled downstream so you get a bit of help from the water.
Once again Nick and Kay went first.
Then it was my turn. At its deepest the water was over the top of our wheels but we made our bumpy way across with a lot of splashing water. A huge sigh of relief once we were back on dry land.
Then the guy that was on the other side went. I think he went a bit too fast because the water washed up over his hood and his car didn’t have a snorkel, like ours, so his engine could have sucked in some water, which is very bad.
Everyone that was waiting or had crossed watched each crossing and shouted directions if needed.
Our next stop was Axlafoss.
The return trip on F208 was mostly view of vast moss covered lava.
With a few far off things to look at.
Once we got back to the highway we stopped to say our goodbyes but the they invited us over to their hotel for some tea and cookies. We had a great chat about all of our and their travels and then headed to our campground for the night in Vik.
I am glad we went to the campground early because it was absolutely full. Campers were parked in every available square inch of space. I could barely squeeze out in the morning.
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