Helgafell is the holy mountain that figured so prominently in Icelandic
history and literature.
May 19, 2006 (Press Release) --
Helgafell
Helgafell is the holy mountain that figured so prominently in Icelandic
history and literature. In reality, it's a 73m (240ft) hill, yet it
apparently still retains some of its magic, and those who follow a few
simple rules while climbing it are entitled to have three wishes granted.
First, you must climb the southwest slope to the temple ruins without
speaking or glancing backwards. Second, the wishes must be for good and
made with a guileless heart. Third, you must descend the eastern slope and
never reveal your wishes to anyone. Helgafell is 5km (3mi) south of
Stykkishólmur, in west central Iceland.
Kerlingarskarð
The name Kerlingarskarð means 'witch pass.' According to legend, this
eerie place was haunted by a female troll until she turned into a stone
pillar at the foot of Kerlingarfjall, the mountain that forms the east
side of the pass. Nearby is a lake, where the witch is believed to have
fished. In the 1800s, a local resident reported seeing huge tracks leading
into the water, and a number of sightings of Loch Ness-style creatures
have also been reported. If you dare, it's possible to camp and explore
around the lake, but the weather is often abysmal. Buses between Reykjavík
and Stykkishólmur travel through the pass.
Grímsey
Part of the island of Grímsey, lying 41km (25.5mi) north of the mainland,
constitutes Iceland's only bit of territory within the Arctic Circle.
Apart from the magical line on the map, the main reason for coming here is
to admire the cliffs, which are 100m (328ft) high in some places - perfect
for bird colonies that nest on the island. Grímsey is also the home of the
most avid chess players in Iceland. Historically, losing a match has often
resulted in the blunderer flinging himself into the sea. After all,
failure in chess was failure in life. Enthusiasm for the game has since
dampened, but if asked to play, it's best not to treat the occasion too
lightly.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
Helgafell is the holy mountain that figured so prominently in Icelandic
history and literature. In reality, it's a 73m (240ft) hill, yet it
apparently still retains some of its magic, and those who follow a few
simple rules while climbing it are entitled to have three wishes granted.
First, you must climb the southwest slope to the temple ruins without
speaking or glancing backwards. Second, the wishes must be for good and
made with a guileless heart. Third, you must descend the eastern slope and
never reveal your wishes to anyone. Helgafell is 5km (3mi) south of
Stykkishólmur, in west central Iceland.
Kerlingarskarð
The name Kerlingarskarð means 'witch pass.' According to legend, this
eerie place was haunted by a female troll until she turned into a stone
pillar at the foot of Kerlingarfjall, the mountain that forms the east
side of the pass. Nearby is a lake, where the witch is believed to have
fished. In the 1800s, a local resident reported seeing huge tracks leading
into the water, and a number of sightings of Loch Ness-style creatures
have also been reported. If you dare, it's possible to camp and explore
around the lake, but the weather is often abysmal. Buses between Reykjavík
and Stykkishólmur travel through the pass.
Grímsey
Part of the island of Grímsey, lying 41km (25.5mi) north of the mainland,
constitutes Iceland's only bit of territory within the Arctic Circle.
Apart from the magical line on the map, the main reason for coming here is
to admire the cliffs, which are 100m (328ft) high in some places - perfect
for bird colonies that nest on the island. Grímsey is also the home of the
most avid chess players in Iceland. Historically, losing a match has often
resulted in the blunderer flinging himself into the sea. After all,
failure in chess was failure in life. Enthusiasm for the game has since
dampened, but if asked to play, it's best not to treat the occasion too
lightly.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
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