KIRKJUBÆJARKLAUSTUR
Skaftárhreppur
Skaftárhreppur district is the center of the south of Iceland and the perfect location to stay while taking day tours to see many of Iceland's best known natural treasures, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Langisjór lake, Eldgjá fissure, Laki craters, the lava field Eldhraun and Fjaðrárgljúfur. The easy but very interesting 5 km hike trail is Ástarbrautin (The Love Path in Kirkjubæjarklaustur). This is an area where saga meets lava. On the web eldsveitir.is you can find more about history, culture and the nature in the area. The district is part of Katla geopark and the gateway to the western part of Vatnajökull National Park.
Kirkjubæjarklaustur - Skaftárhreppur
Kirkjubæjarklaustur was known in olden times as "Kirkjubær" (Church Farm) and was an important farming estate. It is one of the most tongue-twisting words to pronounce of any location in Iceland. Kirkjubæjarklaustur has developed into a village, the only center of population in the district, with about 150 inhabitants. Kirkjubæjarklaustur, often abbreviated to "Klaustur", is centrally located in the district. Roads radiate from Klaustur in many different directions and the Ring Road runs through the district. The Fjallabak roads (north and south) lead from the Ring Road into the interior via Skaftártunga. The Laki road, just west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, leads into the highlands.
Nearby tourist attractions include the Laki craters, the Eldgjá, and Skaftafell. Near the Ring Road, you find Fjaðrárgljúfur, accessible all year round. An attraction close to the village is Kirkjugólf (Church Floor), a natural pavement of basalt. These are basalt columns down in the earth, eroded and shaped by wind and waves, but only the top can be seen, and they, as the name suggests, have the appearance of a paved church floor. It is a protected natural monument. This lava formation has similar origins as the Giant's Causeway in Ireland. All these attractions contribute to the popularity of Kirkjubæjarklaustur as a stopping point for tourists.
