justlivin Posted April 9, 2018 #1 Share Posted April 9, 2018 I am travelling with my teenage children and have four days in Iceland with two in Reykjavik. I am trying to decide between Thingvellir and The Bridge Between Two Continents. We don’t have time to do both. My first choice was Reykjanes as we would add in The Lava Tunnel. And because you can see both plates quite close. We will have already been to Lake Myvatn area including the baths on a tour from Akureyri. Out of Isafjordur we are going to Dynjandi. The first day in Reykjavik we are going on a south coast tour and ending at the Blue Lagoon. I appreciate any advice regarding this decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingFlip Posted April 9, 2018 #2 Share Posted April 9, 2018 In your position, I'd choose Thingvellir without giving it a second thought. The Bridge Between Two Continents is a gimmick, because the plate boundary does not break cleanly along one line. There are a number of roughly parallel rifts throughout the area which sit over-top the plate boundary. Instead of saying that you stood on a bridge over a crack in an otherwise (relatively) boring part of Iceland, you could do the following: Start at the Thingvellir National Park overlook and take pictures overlooking the valley and lake. Drive north 3.3 km to the Oxararfoss trailhead. It's barely marked. Hike south through Almannagja Gorge to Oxararfoss (Oxarar waterfall). Brag about hiking between two continental plates. If you drive around to the far side of the lake (i.e., if you continue on to Geysir or Gulfoss), you'll definitely be on the Eurasian plate, by any standard of measure. It's easier to find if you start from the Thingvellir overlook (which is well worth seeing in its own right), but we did the hike while driving back from Gulfoss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rslinky Posted April 9, 2018 #3 Share Posted April 9, 2018 We did both in our 11 day Ring Road Drive. Definitely skip the bridge and go for the National Park. Much prettier, waterfalls, views. And if you are into buying souvenirs, the gift shop there nice and reasonably priced. Try to see as much of the Golden Circle as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitemare Posted April 9, 2018 #4 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Thingvellir is so much more than a rift, and the history there is as breathtaking as the views are Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justlivin Posted April 10, 2018 Author #5 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Thank you for the responses. We are taking your advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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