Summer in Iceland-32 - Nordurland Eystra/NE - Magical Asbyrgi with Lake Botnstjörn
Oct 31, 2020 12:03:08 #
Today I have a very special treat for all my long-term and consistent tour participants - and for the occasional onlooker as well: As a very unusual feature in Iceland, the walk from the parking lot to Botnstjörn lake leads through a thick and vibrant, mainly deciduous forest and this is the only spot in Iceland where I have seen more than the very occasional tree or tiny grove huddled together. It was a real soul-refresher, and the view at the end of the walk with the small lake and the sheer cliff walls behind was very special as well. I hope you will enjoy this special day in Iceland.
Quoting from the "Guide to Island": ""ASBYRGI CANYON is a spectacular horseshoe-shaped depression in the northeast of Iceland, steeped in folklore.
GEOGRAPHY of ASBYRGI CANYON - This beloved natural feature measures approximately 3.5 km / 2 mi in length and 1 km / 0.7 mi in width. It is only a small corner of the extensive and dramatic Vatnajökull National Park, but undoubtedly one of its most breathtaking. Visitors to Asbyrgi will quickly take note of the canyon’s 100 m / 328 feet high cliff faces, as well as the thick woodland of birch and willow below, creating an area quite unlike that found anywhere else across Iceland. Other tree species here include spruce, larch and pine, and there is a small lake called Botnstjörn which visitors can hike to. One of the canyon's most distinctive features is Eyjan ("The Island"), a 25m rock formation that divides Asbyrgi for almost half its length.
FORMATION of ASBYRGI CANYON - Geologists estimate that Asbyrgi Canyon began to form roughly eight to ten million years ago, just after the last Ice Age, following a catastrophic glacial flooding of the Jökulsa a Fjöllum river. This flooding likely occurred due to a volcanic eruption beneath the ice-cap of the Vatnajökull glacier. Later, only 3000 years ago, this process repeated itself, further sculpting the soul-stirring, spectacular gorge that we know and love today.
FOLKLORE of ASBYRGI CANYON - With that being said, Icelandic folklore dictates an alternative theory, as it does with many of the landmarks around the country. Given the canyon’s horseshoe shape, legend has it that Odin’s eight-legged steed, Sleipnir, placed one of his feet on the ground here, leaving a deep imprint on the earth, as it sprinted across the sky. A wealth of art and literature has depicted Sleipnir as Asbyrgi’s true creator. Other myths claim that Asbyrgi is the capital city and true home to Iceland’s ‘hidden people’, the Huldufolk and elves. Many of Iceland’s folk stories revolve around these strange, magical people and their bizarre punishments and plots. Self-professed psychics have claimed that they can see and hear these mystical beings living in cracks and ravines of the canyon. Much more likely to be hidden in the woodland, however, are Arctic Foxes.""
Notes:
My trip introduction in set 1 provides a MAP of the tour plus general information. Please use the link below if you would like to review these:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-667725-1.html
To view earlier posts of this series, access my profile via the link below, then click on the figure behind "# of topics created" for the list of posts:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=45105
Thanks for visiting, I recommend viewing the downloads and look forward to your comments and questions.
.
Quoting from the "Guide to Island": ""ASBYRGI CANYON is a spectacular horseshoe-shaped depression in the northeast of Iceland, steeped in folklore.
GEOGRAPHY of ASBYRGI CANYON - This beloved natural feature measures approximately 3.5 km / 2 mi in length and 1 km / 0.7 mi in width. It is only a small corner of the extensive and dramatic Vatnajökull National Park, but undoubtedly one of its most breathtaking. Visitors to Asbyrgi will quickly take note of the canyon’s 100 m / 328 feet high cliff faces, as well as the thick woodland of birch and willow below, creating an area quite unlike that found anywhere else across Iceland. Other tree species here include spruce, larch and pine, and there is a small lake called Botnstjörn which visitors can hike to. One of the canyon's most distinctive features is Eyjan ("The Island"), a 25m rock formation that divides Asbyrgi for almost half its length.
FORMATION of ASBYRGI CANYON - Geologists estimate that Asbyrgi Canyon began to form roughly eight to ten million years ago, just after the last Ice Age, following a catastrophic glacial flooding of the Jökulsa a Fjöllum river. This flooding likely occurred due to a volcanic eruption beneath the ice-cap of the Vatnajökull glacier. Later, only 3000 years ago, this process repeated itself, further sculpting the soul-stirring, spectacular gorge that we know and love today.
FOLKLORE of ASBYRGI CANYON - With that being said, Icelandic folklore dictates an alternative theory, as it does with many of the landmarks around the country. Given the canyon’s horseshoe shape, legend has it that Odin’s eight-legged steed, Sleipnir, placed one of his feet on the ground here, leaving a deep imprint on the earth, as it sprinted across the sky. A wealth of art and literature has depicted Sleipnir as Asbyrgi’s true creator. Other myths claim that Asbyrgi is the capital city and true home to Iceland’s ‘hidden people’, the Huldufolk and elves. Many of Iceland’s folk stories revolve around these strange, magical people and their bizarre punishments and plots. Self-professed psychics have claimed that they can see and hear these mystical beings living in cracks and ravines of the canyon. Much more likely to be hidden in the woodland, however, are Arctic Foxes.""
Notes:
My trip introduction in set 1 provides a MAP of the tour plus general information. Please use the link below if you would like to review these:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-667725-1.html
To view earlier posts of this series, access my profile via the link below, then click on the figure behind "# of topics created" for the list of posts:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=45105
Thanks for visiting, I recommend viewing the downloads and look forward to your comments and questions.
.
1 - A very rare sight in Iceland: A sun-dappled shady path leads through a forest to the innermost part of Asbyrgi
(Download)
2 - Once more for good measure
(Download)
3 - On the forested path: Fall colors decorate this leaf
(Download)
4 - Brilliant red leaf - not so brilliant focus
(Download)
5 - Towering cliffs and quiet waters with reflection at the small lake Botnstjörn
(Download)
6 - Fascinating rock details in the 100m/330ft high cliffs
(Download)
7 - The small lake Botnstjörn with reflection of the cliffs and greenery
(Download)
8 - The waters of lake Botnstjörn reflect the rock-strewn base of the cliffs
(Download)
9 - A 'mini-island' in the small lake Botnstjörn
(Download)
10 - Tranquil water reflections of the partially sun-lit cliff face at the lake Botnstjörn
(Download)
Oct 31, 2020 12:04:25 #
To better grasp the geology of this special place: Here an image from the Guide to Iceland: Aerial view of the foot-print shaped depression in the solid rock plain, in front near the cliffs lake Botnstjörn, at rear barely visible but still within the footprint the "Eyjan" single rock formation (which I will present tomorrow)
Oct 31, 2020 12:09:00 #
Oct 31, 2020 12:16:06 #
Longshadow wrote:
Wow, neat!
Thank you Bill - isn't that depression something - and what surprises me is the myth with Odins steed, which I assume got spun way before there were airplanes and drones - and there are no high mountains immediately in the area, how did people even realize the shape of this depression - I gues by standing on the top edge.
Oct 31, 2020 12:26:21 #
Oct 31, 2020 12:30:15 #
Those are beautiful pictures, such beautiful clear water in that lake. There is just one thing I would to clear up,
it was always my understanding the last ice age ended 8 to 10 thousand years ago, not 8 to 10 million years ago.
it was always my understanding the last ice age ended 8 to 10 thousand years ago, not 8 to 10 million years ago.
Oct 31, 2020 12:43:48 #
The voyage continues, bringing more beautifully executed renderings of extraordinary scenery and informative narrative. Please keep on sharing and stay well.
Oct 31, 2020 12:54:31 #
Oct 31, 2020 13:03:12 #
djclow wrote:
Awesome pics!
Thank you very much dj for looking in on the tour and for your kind words. Have a great day!
Oct 31, 2020 13:09:47 #
weberwest wrote:
Thank you Bill - isn't that depression something - and what surprises me is the myth with Odins steed, which I assume got spun way before there were airplanes and drones - and there are no high mountains immediately in the area, how did people even realize the shape of this depression - I gues by standing on the top edge.
Oct 31, 2020 13:11:27 #
Bushpilot wrote:
Those are beautiful pictures, such beautiful clear water in that lake. There is just one thing I would to clear up,
it was always my understanding the last ice age ended 8 to 10 thousand years ago, not 8 to 10 million years ago.
it was always my understanding the last ice age ended 8 to 10 thousand years ago, not 8 to 10 million years ago.
Thank you Bushpilot for looking in on my travelogue and your appreciation. Yes - of course you are totally right, this should be thousands and not millions, at least as far as the last ice age is concerned. Shows you what happens when you copy text without verifying every detail - I am glad I attributed this text rather than pretending it was my own!
The tour will go on for a while yet, we are just about half way through, so if the topic interests you, please drop in - I am posting a new set every day at 9 am PST. Have a fine day - JoeOct 31, 2020 13:13:12 #
Ourspolair wrote:
The voyage continues, bringing more beautifully executed renderings of extraordinary scenery and informative narrative. Please keep on sharing and stay well.
Thank you Ours for your appreciation - have a wonderful day - Joe
Oct 31, 2020 13:15:00 #
UTMike wrote:
What an unusual and interesting spot in Iceland, Joe!
Thank you Mike - yes, it is definitively different from most places in Iceland. Have a great day - Joe
Oct 31, 2020 13:15:14 #
Joe, this is an awesome place. TREES! Rocks and a lake. You can pick me up on the way back. Lol.
Oct 31, 2020 13:21:05 #
NMGal wrote:
Joe, this is an awesome place. TREES! Rocks and a lake. You can pick me up on the way back. Lol.
Thanks Barbara - I knew this set would please you - have been hinting that something with trees would eventually be coming - so here it is and I am very glad that you like it. I'll leave you there a bit longer and pick you up later - lol! Have a wonderful day - Joe
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