Skogar South Iceland

Skógafoss, (60 m) a waterfall in the river Skógaá, one of the highest in Iceland. There are many other falls further up in the river.

Legend has it that the settler Þrasi hid his chest of gold under Skógafoss.

Skógar, presently the site of a school and formerly of a major farm. There was also a church here until the year 1890. Ytri-Skógar is the location of the Rangár
and Vestur-Skaftafell Rural Museum. The latest gem of the museum at Skógar is Skógar Church, built in 19th century style using material from decommissioned
churhes in nearby counties.

The chief attraction of the Museum, and no doubt its most historically valuable asset, is the eight-oar fishing boat Pétursey, Icelands best-kown boat of its kind.

Fimmvörðuháls, (“Five cairn ridge”) (1,000 m) a ridge between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, itself formerly covered by glacier.
From Skógar one can take a jeep track to Fimmvörðuháls from where there is a good hiking track to Goðaland and Þórsmörk However, it is even more interesting to get there along the marked path up beside the river Skógá with its many waterfalls which can not be seen from the jeep track.

There is a good hike to the peak of the glacier Eyjafjallajökull from Fimmvörðuháls, though this is not the shortest route. On Fimmvörðuháls there are two huts, a new one belonging to the touring club Útivist and an older one just south of Fimmvörðuháls belonging to the air-sea rescue team of the district. Estimated hiking time from Skógar to Þórsmörk 8–10 hours. Large part of Skógasandur has been revegetated with lupine and extensive grassfields have been developed on the sand.

How to get there:
Take road no. 1 from Selfoss direction Vík. About 98 km from Selfoss you will se skógar on your lefthand side.

source Iceland Road Atlas

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