The Icelandic highlands and wilderness are not just areas that one can visit in the summertime. Many places are accessible all year round and a number of people choose to celebrate the arrival of the New Year far away from inhabited areas.
The highland resort Thórsmörk in the autumn. Photo by Páll Kjartansson.
“You can at least see your rocket very clearly when you set it off,” commented Skúli H. Skúlason, managing director of touring company Útivist, to Morgunbladid in description of what it’s like spending New Year’s Eve in the highlands.
Útivist has a long tradition for organizing New Year’s trips to Básar in Godaland in the highland resort Thórsmörk. This year around 20 people have registered. There is room for 40 more people in the cabins, though.
The program includes a march with torches around the Básir area, a bonfire, hikes and skiing trips, weather permitting. In good weather the scenery is breathtaking, especially when the northern lights dance across the sky, far away from the city’s light pollution.
Touring company Ferdafélag Íslands is organizing a trip to Langidalur in Thórsmörk on Threttándinn, January 6, which is the official last day of Christmas. The trip is almost fully booked but there are still a few seats available.
Click here to watch an audio slideshow from Thórsmörk.
