HRAFNTINNUSKER

The English name of this 1128 m high mountain is The Obsidian Skerry. It is situated some distance east of the infamous volcano Hekla. It is accessible by 4wd vehicles from the north and south. On a fine day the view from the mountain is excellent. The hiking route between Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork, the so-called "Laugavegur", crosses it and some hikers decide to spend a night in the Tourist Association's hut, which houses 20 people. It was built in 1977. The surroundings of the mountain are a very colourful rhyolite area with many hot springs, steam vents, boiling mud pits and ice caves, where there is geothermal activity under the ice.

The Obsidian Lava Field (Hrafntinnusker) is situated to the north of the Obsidian Skerry. It is actually an area with differently old lavas, the youngest of which has a round crater in the middle, where the viscous lava stacked up and created a mound. During the first half of the 20^th century obsidian was sometimes quarried there for the decoration of houses in the capital, such as the National Theatre.

FJALLABAK SYDRA or THE MIDDLE ROUTE
( Route F-210 )

This route lies from the west to east just north of the Myrdal's glacier in the South. It is recommended for 4wd vehicles. It starts at the parsonage Keldur and continues through very barren lava areas, desolated mainly by the volcanoes Hekla and Katla during the centuries. En route are two tourist huts on the lake Alftavatn, one of them for hikers, and the third one, a refuge for the farmers during the rounding up of the sheep in autumn, but also open to the travellers, when it is not occupied by the owners. In the past this route was frequented by the farmers in the east, when they had to travel to the trading post Eyrarbakki in the west to purchase necessities.

It was preferred to the route along the south coast because there were less obstacles to tackle. There are quite a few places of interest enroute and ideal areas for short or long hikes.

The Fjallabak Nature Reserve