Iceland > Driving with the Super Jeep

Iceland - A Super Jeep with special high tires is the only transport for the snowy landscape

After breakfast, we are picked up at ten o’clock by the Super Jeep for an off-road trip to the Dettifoss waterfalls. The Super Jeep has special high and wide tires that allow it to drive on difficult terrain. Roads that are inaccessible to regular traffic are easily manageable for the Super Jeep. After departure, we first head toward Reykjahlíð, passing the lava fields to the turnoff leading to Dettifoss. The road is normally closed to traffic due to snow, but not for the Super Jeeps. After a short distance, the driver stops to release some air from the tires, giving the jeep better grip on the surface. Following an off-road track, the Jeep makes its way toward the waterfalls. Along the way, the driver explains the mostly snow-covered landscape. He tells us that we are currently driving over ice just as the back of the vehicle breaks through it. Quickly, the driver accelerates and pulls the vehicle back onto solid ground. Near Dettifoss, we rejoin the original road via the off-road track.

Iceland - Ice water flows over the Selfoss waterfall

With such a Jeep, there’s no need to stop at the parking area. The driver takes the Jeep up a steep slope and down the other side. He parks the vehicle on the plateau, and we continue on foot to the viewpoint. Yesterday, he went even further, but on the way back, the vehicle slid dangerously and nearly hit the rocks.The walk to the waterfall is beautiful. Because of the layer of ice beneath the snow, it’s quite slippery and not easy to walk, but with some careful sliding we reach the gorge. Dettifoss is an impressive waterfall. The winter landscape and the ice blocks falling from the waterfall are especially fascinating. After Dettifoss, we continue to the second waterfall. This one lies a little farther along the river. We make a short photo stop at the Selfoss waterfall as well. Finally, we visit the Hafragilsfoss waterfall. Here we have a modest picnic beside the Jeep in the snow. On the way back, we get the chance to photograph the Jeep in full action. As the vehicle skids and drifts through the turns with snow spraying up all around, we fill our film rolls with shots. Once we’re back inside, the driver, of course, has to make a few skidding turns himself before we head back to the hotel. When we reach the paved road, he pumps more air into the tires to ensure proper grip for driving on asphalt.We think it would be fun to drive back to the hotel across the ice, but this turns out not to be possible because the ice isn’t thick or stable enough everywhere.

Iceland - The Super Jeep drives through the misty landscape

However, near the hotel the Jeep can drive onto the ice safely. As a bonus, we take a short ride over the frozen surface, spinning and circling several times.In the evening, we dine again at the hotel (where else?). At half past eight, we gather for a swim. With the Super Jeep, we drive to the sulfur baths. Meanwhile, it’s snowing heavily, and the temperature outside is –9 °C. The transition from the cold stairs of the changing area to the warm water (+35 °C) is quite a shock. Aside from the sulfur smell, the water is delightful. The falling snow adds a special atmosphere. It’s advisable not to swim too close to the sources themselves — the water there is near boiling point. The steam bath above one of the sources is wonderful but also very hot (and it feels even colder when you step outside afterward).There’s no chance of seeing the Northern Lights tonight — too much snow, unfortunately. At 10 p.m., the baths close, and we drive back to the hotel in the Jeep. I order one last beer and settle all expenses from the past few days (34,000 krona). Then I go to bed.