Flying to Iceland, an enchanting country, guarantees a permanent change of scenery, emotions hitherto unknown, the impression of suddenly becoming a privileged person, someone who has seen, who has lived in a country that is unlike any other. Here, all the elements agree or clash to create incredible paintings, unique, varied, and unexpected landscapes, felt like almost extraterrestrials. At every turn, a surprise awaits you. And even if you go in circles, you'll never feel like you're going back. Here, the weather changes every five minutes and the sky multiplies special effects: incredible clouds, unexpected lights, intersecting or overlapping rainbows or northern lights. In short, hiking in Iceland is an essential part of a trip
While in winter the hikes are short, in summer you can cross the inland and camp. This is the big trip to Iceland, because it is by foot that we discover the country best. Sports enthusiasts can be seen everywhere on expeditions to attack volcanoes and glaciers to live as close as possible to this hostile and beautiful nature, but it is possible to go with the family for easy walks in the national parks. In order to protect fauna and flora, the emergence of these parks has taken place in Iceland. Each of these spaces has its own particularities that make visits never the same. In these places, it is essential to respect nature and the animals that live there. National parks are thus working to preserve all their authenticity and to preserve nature and its species, which would otherwise disappear sooner or later. Vatnajökull National Park is the latest and by far the largest of Iceland's nature parks, occupying about 11% of the island. In the south, it covers the Vatnajökull glacier area (the largest ice area in Europe), Grendill Mountain, the Svínafell and Skaftafell glaciers, which remains one of the park's main attractions. Very popular in summer, its main asset is to be able to get close to the glacier languages of Vatnajökull for memorable walks. Þingvellir National Park is located 50 km east of Reykjavík and is a must for tourists. Covering a vast area, it is traversed by faults and a graben, blatant evidence of continental drift, with the clear separation between the North American plate and the Eurasian plate now appearing in the open. From the top of the Almannagjá, "the gorge of the elders", flows a magnificent waterfall, Öxarárfoss. The chapel of Þingvellir reveals an intimate, rich and warm setting. The pastor who works there is none other than the park warden, in charge of protecting the rare pearls that are sheltered there. To the south of this area lies Iceland's largest lake, Þingvallavatn, another must-see spot for hikers venturing onto the island. Finally, Snæfellsjökull National Park is an exceptional protected nature reserve. The region encompasses unique landscapes, endemic plants, fascinating animal life and preserved historical relics. From each cardinal point, the park constantly seems different, dominated by the imposing glacier that inspired Jules Verne's writings in Voyage au centre de la Terre. The park is also clear proof of the active volcanism that is seizing Iceland. The area contains a large number of caves, but it is not recommended to enter without the assistance of an experienced guide. Anyway, Iceland is really a dream destination for expert hikers as well as beginners, sportsmen and families.
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