A lodge in the middle of nowhere! (Hveravellir (Iceland))

Member Name: dangaroo

Product:	Hveravellir (Iceland)
Date:	12/05/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some pretty hardcore hiking, interesting place

Disadvantages: You'll need more than one pair of undies out there

Hveravellir is located in the middle of nowhere between Iceland's two biggest cities Akureyri and Reykjavik, it can be found on the Kjolur overland route - a road with very little traffic over rough terrain.

Hveravellir is a warm spring oasis, a pleasant bit of heat in the chilly, blusttery Iceland interior. I'm not sure if the weather was particularly bad for the summer when we visited - below 0, raining and windy but it didn't seem so. Hveravellir was once the famous hideout of Icelandic criminal Fjallur-Eyvinder who escaped to the interior in the 1800's and lived there for 20 years, he spent about 2 years here with his wife. A lot of the names of the springs revolve around his visit.

Living out here for 20 years, I can't imagine what a tough character this guy was - this was the warm part and even I found that nipping from the hut to the warm springs in the freezing (it is a few hundred metres) to be quite a test of character and I certainly don't consider myself sissy! The springs are warm and there is a mud bath but nothing in particular stands about them other than their barren location and that the admission is considerably cheaper than any of the nature baths (about 400kr as I recall)

There are two huts which have basic beds and work as hostels and there is a campground (god forbid!), the first being far from comfortable but warm, cheap and standard hiking fare, the latter endurance test in the wind is a definite no no for anyone other than someone planning an Arctic adventure.

The staff were warm and welcoming and the tea and cake was a nice touch. There are also several hiking routes from which this is a base - the shortest is 4 hours and the longest is 3 days, that is of course if you don't just start it and come back after an hour! This place is wild and untouched but there's not a lot going on and the weather makes it hard to relax unless you are a polar bear.

Summary: Nicky Nacky Noo!