Drangurinn in Drangshlíð
Just 300 meters from Drangshlíð farm is a big rock in the field called Drangurinn in Drangshlíð and the name of farm comes from this big rock (the name Drangshlíð means the hill by the rock Drangur). In recent years the rock is most famous for being one of the main filming locations of the viking film "When The Raven Flies". According to popular folklore the Drangur is the home of elves or an cursed merchant ship. Another popular folklore says that Grettir Ásmundarson, an famous character in the Icelandic sagas, had pushed the rock from the mountain above the rock.
The story of the elves in Drangshlíð on Eyjafjoll.is
Skógafoss
Skógafoss waterfall is one of the most famous and beutiful waterfalls in Iceland and is situated in the small community of Skógar, about 4 km from Drangshlíð. Skógafoss is 25 m wide with a drop of 60 m and is therefore one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland. The waterfall is also famous for the viking story of on of the first settlers of the are, Þrasi Þórólfsson. According to the story Þrasi is said to have buried a treasure in a cave behind the waterfall. Along side Skógafoss is a trail to the famous walking path of Fimmvörðuháls.
Skógafoss on Eyjafjoll.is (pdf)
Eyjafjallajökull
Eyjafjallajökull is 1,666 m high, but before the eruption in 2010 the last eruption was from 1821-1823. The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano that started on 14th of April 2010 following the eruption at Fimvörðuháls and was one of the biggest news story of 2010 worldwide. The volcano is situated about 14 km from Drangshlíð and during the eruption the ash cloud was over the farm almost the entire time of the eruption. During the eruption in 2010 the volcano threw volcanic ash over the are, causing damages to houses, livestock, cars and land nearby and caused major cancellations on flights all over Europe (more than 100.000 flight cancellations in one week).
Fimmvörðuháls
Fimmvörðuháls is the area between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull and is an very popular walking path, connecting Skógar to the national park of Þórsmörk. In March of 2010 the area was in the world news because of on volcanic eruption in the area, later followed by the big eruption in Eyjafjallajökull in April 2010. The eruption in Fimmvörðuháls was not a big one, compared to Eyjafjallajökull eruption, and mainly consisted of lava flow. During the eruption in Fimmvörðuháls thousands of tourists came to the are to see it by foot, helicopters, snowmobiles or super jeeps. The hiking trail over Fimmvörðuháls is about 7-9 hours (20 km) with elevation of 1.000 m.
Overnight tours with Iceland Mountain Guides
Þórsmörk
Þórsmörk is a name of a mountain ridge between the glaciers of Eyjafjallajökull and Tindfjallajökull, but the name is also commonly used about the are behind Eyjafjallajökull. The area is one of the most beutiful in Iceland with many hiking trails and two of the most popular hiking trails in Iceland start or end there. Laugavegur hiking trail is the trail between Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar geological area (55 km) and Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail is between Þórsmörk and Skógar. In Þórsmörk you can either have accommodation in cottages or bring your tent and camp there.
Information about Þórsmörk and accommodation on thorsmork.is
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is a 60 m tall waterfall about 20 km from Drangshlíð on the road to Þórsmörk. It is considered to be one of the most beutiful waterfalls in Iceland. The most popular thing about Seljalandsfoss waterfall is the possibility to walk behind it and enjoy it from a different view. The waterfall was also one of the waypoints in the Amazing Race tv series (season 6).
Seljalandsfoss on Eyjafjoll.is (pdf)
Virtual tour of Seljalandsfoss
Sólheimajökull
Sólheimajökull is a 8 km long and 2 km wide glacier tounge out of Mýrdalsjökull just by Jökulsá river about 15 km east of Drangshlíð. It is possible to drive almost all the way to the glacier and walk right up to it and on it, with care of course. Sólheimajökull is one of the best oppurtunites to experience the Icelandic glaciers and we would recommend a glacier walk with experienced guides to enhance your experience (see the link here below).
Sólheimajökull glacier walks with Iceland Mountain Guides
Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is a 120 m high peninsula in Mýrdalur, about 20 km from Drangshlíð. The shape of the peninsula is interesting because of the hole through it and it looks like an arch. In the summertime the cliffs of Dyrhólaey is surrounded with the beuitiful puffins. The view from Dyrahóley is spectacular and you can see all the way up to Mýrdalsjökull glacier in the north with black sandy beaches on in the east and west.
Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar is a famous geological tourist attraction in the highlands of Iceland. The mountains surrounding the are are famous for the colors they display, including pink, brown, green, red, yellow, purple, black and white. You can also take a dive into the natural hot springs or take a walk around the area or up the mountains of Bláhnúkur or Brennisteinsalda and have a great biew over the area and the Icelandic highlands.