Iceland

http://www.renaud-bray.com

http://www.renaud-bray.com

In our times, characterised by the destruction of nature, Iceland, the island of fire and ice, has an almost magical allure for all nature-lovers. Active volcanoes and vast lava deserts stand in direct opposition to utterly boundless glacial landscapes – Iceland is a country which is still in the process of originating anew, a process which repeats itself over and over. Massive waterfalls and geysers leave a striking impression, as do the unique plant and animal world. This unique ancient countryside guarantees unforgettable experiences in nature, but it also presents special challenges especially to the hiker. There is no network of cabins and trails as we are used to in the Alps, and the weather also can be very unpredictable.Christian Handl and Gabriele Schießl, the two authors of the new hiking guide to Iceland, take these circumstances into account: They lead the reader along selected, safe and reliably-described trails to those natural splendours of Iceland which are only accessible to hikers. Included are descriptions of short, impressive walks, as well as recommendations for trips lasting several days and tips for ski activities. The selection of hiking destinations is primarily concentrated on the national parks, which, on the one hand, comprise the most impressive natural landscapes, and on the other, due to their sufficient infrastructure and favourable accessibility along coastal roads, provide the major prerequisites for independent excursions.In the introductory chapters, as well as in the presentation of the regions, the authors prepare the hiker in a safe and knowledgeable manner for the distinctive features of Europe's northernmost country. Each of the 51 hike recommendations is accompanied by an informative height profile and a detailed map, in which the course of the routes is marked in colour. This eliminates the first hurdle for the traveller to Iceland: troublesome searching for an appropriate hiking map is no longer necessary!