火山地貌骑马团 ｜ 冰岛旅行特色体验

雷克雅未克(Reykjavík)是冰岛的首都，亦是世界上位置最北的首都。

相比其他北欧都市，冰岛首都雷克雅未克更多了几分静谧、几分安详(市区人口约为12万，大雷克雅未克地区人口也仅为20万)，但这座城市充满了活力与惊喜，每年都吸引无数游客来此体验世界尽头的另一种生活。雷克雅未克是冰岛的政治、经济与文化中心，也是世界上最干净、最安全的城市。

雷克雅未克的地理位置

雷克雅未克位于冰岛西南部，临法赫萨湾(Faxaflói)而建。冰川、地震与火山喷发运动共同塑造了这一地区的地理地貌，这一地区也富含地热能，要知道“雷克雅未克”的意思就是“冒烟的海湾”。

雷克雅未克的大部分地区在大冰期时被掩埋于一座延伸至奥尔塔内斯半岛(Álftanes)的广袤冰川之下，其余部分则被海洋淹没。大冰期末期，陆块上升，冰川脱落，这片土地才得以浮出地表。

雷克雅未克的海岸线曲折而绵长，点缀着众多半岛、海湾、海峡以及维迪岛(Viðey)等众多岛屿，海湾中还有多种海鸟与鲸鱼栖居。一座起伏有致的山峰点缀着雷克雅未克海岸，在不同季节变幻出不同的美，这就是著名的埃斯亚山(Esjan)。

埃斯亚山是雷克雅未克地区的最高山峰，颇受徒步与登山爱好者的钟爱。从雷克雅未克海湾远眺，Akrafjall与Skarðsheiði也将映入视线。晴朗天气中，甚至连斯奈山半岛(Snæfellsnes)上的斯奈菲尔冰川也会在天边浮现。

Elliðaárdalur山谷中的Elliðaá河是雷克雅未克的最大河流，也是冰岛钓三文鱼的最佳地点之一。

雷克雅未克的交通

冰岛没有火车与地铁，最常见的交通工具是汽车与公交车。雷克雅未克还有两处港口：位于市中心的旧港与位于城市东部的Sundahöfn港。

雷克雅未克市区内有一座国内机场，位于Vatnsmýrin，与市中心以及珍珠楼Perlan所在的Öskjuhlíð山相距不远。冰岛的国际机场是位于雷克雅内斯半岛(Reykjanes)上的凯夫拉维克国际机场(Keflavík)，距离首都约有50公里。

游客可以选择租自行车、汽车或吉普车在雷克雅未克旅行，或直接参加从首都出发的旅行团。如果只是参观市中心地区的城市地标景点，可以选择直接步行或乘坐公交车。

雷克雅未克旅行活动

雷克雅未克是著名的北欧文学艺术之都，全年都会举办各种特色活动与节日。无论哪个月份来雷克雅未克旅行，都有机会邂逅来自世界各地的名人、艺术家、音乐家、歌手、作家、诗人等——例如比约克、胜利玫瑰Sigur Rós等冰岛知名音乐人；以及《宇宙天使》的作者埃纳尔·茂尔·古德蒙德松(Einar Már Guðmundsson)、曾与比约克合作作词且如今蜚声国际文坛的诗人松(Sjón)等。

冰岛电波音乐节、Sónar音乐节、秘密夏至音乐节、雷克雅未克同志骄傲游行(Gay Pride)、雷克雅未克国际电影节RIFF、雷克雅未克文学节、文化之夜、雷克雅未克艺术节、美食欢乐节(Food & Fun)、雷克雅未克时尚周等大大小小的节日每年都会如期而至。

想要更加深入地领略酷炫的冰岛文化历史，可以参观城市中的博物馆、艺术馆与摄影展览，在咖啡厅、酒吧或Harpa音乐厅听音乐现场演出，到城市旧港与Grótta灯塔观日落、等极光，在Laugavegur购物主街上购买旅行纪念品，或者去逛逛惊喜无限的跳蚤市场。游客还可以出海参加观鸟、观鲸旅行团，或者登上维迪岛，参观岛上的历史遗迹与艺术装置。阅读这篇《玩转雷克雅未克：十大必做之事》深度攻略，像冰岛本地人一样体验世界最北首都生活。

冰岛议会大厦Alþingi前的Austurvöllur广场上伫立着冰岛独立“国父”Jón Sigurðsson的雕像，一街之隔便是雷克雅未克的主教座堂(Dómkirkjan)。广场周围环绕着多家餐厅、酒吧与咖啡厅。Austurvöllur是冰岛有名的抗议集会地点，2008年冰岛金融危机时愤怒的市民就曾齐聚广场抗议示威。

沿Lækjargata街漫步，游客将到达托宁湖(Tjörnin)与市政厅。天鹅、鸭子、海鸥等水鸟常年在湖泊中栖息，托宁湖喂鸭子也是在雷克雅未克旅行的必做之事之一。湖滨公园是休憩、散步、遛狗的好去处，夏季时湖边还会不时举办露天音乐会。

冰岛大学、北欧之屋(Nordic House)、Vatnsmýrin湿地与托宁湖仅一街之隔。各种与北欧有关的音乐、文学、艺术活动时常在北欧之屋上演，而其旁的Vatnsmýrin自然保护区则是许多鸟类的重要栖息地。

沿海的雷克雅未克虽没有地中海式的阳光海滩，但天气良好时，由地热加热的Nauthólsvík海滩也是个游泳、晒太阳的好去处。城市中还有多家地热温泉泳池，其中最大一座位于Laugardalur，与Ásmundarsafn雕塑展览馆、雷克雅未克动物园、植物园都相距不远。

另一座海滩Ægissíða位于雷克雅未克的西城区(Vesturbær)，开阔的海景与石滩景色令人心旷神怡，在海滩上可以远眺到冰岛总统府Bessastaðir。

Skólavörðuholt山丘上的哈尔格林姆斯大教堂(Hallgrímskirkja)是雷克雅未克的另一座必游城市地标；购票登上教堂尖塔，游客可以一览雷克雅未克城市全景，将可爱的北欧彩色房顶尽收眼底。

建于Öskjuhlíð山上的珍珠楼是鸟瞰雷克雅未克城市全景的另一个好去处，珍珠楼内也设有咖啡厅与冰岛自然展览。176000棵树木环绕着珍珠楼，营造了葱茏而静谧的环境。游客可以一边在林中骑车、漫步，一边呼吸清新的森林空气。

雷克雅未克是许多游客游览冰岛的大本营。许多旅行团都从首都接团出发，黄金圈、蓝湖温泉等景点也与首都相距不远，自驾距离适中。首都范围内的Heiðmörk自然保护区以及城市外围的蓝山(Bláfjöll)也是颇受欢迎的自然景点。

最详尽、最专业的雷克雅未克行程指南，尽在雷克雅未克攻略页面。

Wikimedia, Creative Commons, photo by Reykholt

The Blue Mountains, otherwise known as Bláfjöll, are a beautiful mountain range in the south-west of Iceland. They hold some of the most popular skiing slopes in Iceland, and well as the potential for other activities such as caving and hiking.

The Blue Mountains are located around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Reykjavík, by the lava plateau of Hellisheiði.

Geology of the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains partially cover the Mid Atlantic Rift, which runs through Iceland. The very regular earthquakes and sporadic eruptions, therefore, are explained the high level of geological and geothermal activity that this rift creates.

Most of the mountains are now dormant, not having erupted since the last Ice Age, but not all.

Due to their formation, the Blue Mountains are composed of tuff rock.

Activities in the Blue Mountains

As mentioned, the Blue Mountains has some of the most popular slopes in Iceland. Being so accessible from Reykjavík, just a twenty five minute drive away, the region draws those who love to ski and snowboard from the beginning of February to the end of April.

Due to these opening dates, winter sports have become somewhat of an Easter tradition for many of those living in the capital.

The resort here is the largest in Iceland, and boasts 16 ski lifts, and 15 kilometres (nine miles) of slopes. Equipment can be rented on site, and there are regular lessons taught for newcomers. Regardless of if you are a novice or expert, there are slopes for all abilities.

Cross country skiing is also very popular in the area, but should only be done by those experienced, or with a trained guide. Some snowmobilers also make the most of the opportunities the mountain provides.

Other areas for skiing in Iceland include Akureyri and Skaftafell Nature Reserve.

A popular activity that can be enjoyed in the Blue Mountains throughout the year, however, is lava caving. Due to the the volcanism of the area, the plateaus around the mountains are composed of many layers of lava rock.

When this lava first cooled, it did so from the outside in, leaving running magma beneath it. If this magma had a place to flow out to, it would form a lava cave.

Leiðarendi is a beautiful tunnel, formed in a kind of ring that allows visitors to fully explore it. Trips to Iceland’s lava caves provide wonderful opportunities to learn about the nation’s geology, history of bandits, and folklore, particularly the tolls.

This lava tube also demonstrates the volcanism of the Blue Mountains. It was, in fact, created by two seperate eruptions, one two thousand years ago and one a thousand years ago. The lava tunnels formed in each collapsed together at what is now the entrance of the cave.

Much of the area around this cave and much of the Blue Mountains is covered in a delicate moss, that creeps over the lava. When visiting any area with this unique flora, such as hiking trails through the mountains, be careful not to step on it as it is remarkably delicate

Kópavogur is a municipality in the Capital Region of Iceland. It is the largest town of those surrounding Reykjavík City, as well as being the second most populated municipality in the country at over 32.000 residents. 

The name of the town translates to 'Seal Pup Bay' and refers to the seals that reside in the ocean by the shoreline of the town's oldest part.  The town's Sigil is green and white and displays the Church of Kópavogur, the town's most notable landmark, and a seal pup. 

Establishment & History

The town's oldest signs of inhabitation are located by Kópavogslækur brook at the bottom of the bay, estimated at being from the 9th century. By lake Elliðavatn there is a large area of ancient ruins which provides for constant fascination for archaeologists. Although the area has long since been inhabited, the name of Kópavogur is first found in written documents in the year 1523. Today, the ever-expanding town includes the separate districts of Kársnes, Digranes, Smárinn, Fífuhvammur and Vatnsendi. 

Kópavogur was the location for the signing of the documents that established the Icelandic nation under the monarch reign of Denmark in 1662, in an event often called Kópavogsfundurinn or the Kópavogur Assembly. Years later, during the time of Iceland's fight for Independence, the assembly was referred to as an example of Denmark's infringement towards the people of Iceland. 

Environment & Nature 

In the centre of the town lies Kópavogsdalur Valley and through it runs the brook Kópavogslækur, a pretty sight today, but in earlier years used for the disposal of sewage. Between the valley and lake Elliðavatn, the area greatly consists of hills and miniature headlands, such as Leirdalur, Hnoðraholt and Rjúpnahæð. Lake Elliðavatn itself contains all the freshwater fish to be found in Iceland; including trout, brown trout, arctic char, salmon and tiddlers. Kópavogsleira is a residency for 30 local species of birds, as well as 10 migrating bird species. 

Culture & Facilities

Kópavogur hosts one of Reykjavík's two larger shopping malls, Smáralind, built in 2010. Close by is Smáratorg; a popular shopping area, and Smáraturn; the tallest building in Iceland. In the area of Borgarholt, there are various cultural establishments, including a music school, a library, a natural museum and a concert hall. Close to Kópavogur Church, there is the geothermal swimming pool Kópavogslaug. The town includes another swimming pool, four public parks, several cultural museums and numerous sports teams, including Breiðablik and HK. The town paper is called Kópavogspósturinn and has a weekly publication. 

Credit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons. Photo by Axel Kristinsson. 

Elliðavatn is a lake within the greater capital area of Reykjavík in South Iceland. 

Geography and History

The lake was originally two different lakes called Vatnsendavatn and Vatnsvatn. The former belonged to the town of Kópavogur, and the latter to Reykjavík, meaning Elliðavatn rests on the borders of the two. Elliðavatn has a length of about 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) and a depth of approximately 1-2 metres (3-7 feet). 

The lake is fed by the rivers Bugðá and Suðurá, but the lake’s primary outflow is the river Elliðaá. The rivers and lake are popular angling spots for catching Arctic char, salmon and brown trout.

Reaching into the lake is a spit by the name of Þingnes. According to the Icelandic Book of Settlement, Þorsteinn Ingólfsson, who was the son of Iceland’s first permanent settler Ingólfur Arnarson, called a congress there before the 930 AD formation of Alþingi in Þingvellir.