VÍK

Mýrdalshreppur is one of the three municipalities within Katla Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark. Vík in Mýrdalshreppur is situated in the center of the Geopark and is also Iceland‘s southernmost village. The municipalityGeoparkGeopark is bordered by Mýrdalsjökull glacier to the north, Jökulsá River to the west, Blautakvísl River to the east, and black sand beaches to the south. Due to the sandy beaches and rough seas, Vík remains Iceland‘s only seaside village with no harbour. Despite the lack of a port, it has long been an important trading post for farmers along the south coast of Iceland.

Activities
The Vík area is truly a place of outdoor adventures. Mýrdalsjökull glacier offers opportunities such as guided glacier hikes, year-round ice cave explorations, glacier-lagoon kayaking, and snowmobiling near Katla volcano. The adrenaline will surely kick in on an ATV tour on the black sand beaches of Sólheimasandur, Zip-lining down a canyon or floating in the air in a thrilling paragliding adventure. For those who prefer to have both feet on the ground, there are numerous hiking routes and a golf course in beautiful scenery on the outskirts of Vík. Lastly, a horse riding tour along the black sand beach overlooking Reynisdrangar sea stacks is an unforgettable experience.

Museums and exhibitions
The Icelandic Lava Show is the only place in the world where you can safely see molten lava at 1100 degrees Celcius. It is a unique exhibition which no visitor should miss. At Katla centre, you will find a free exhibition about Katla volcano and the global Geopark the town is situated in. The town‘s unique seafaring history is depicted in the Skaftfellingur maritime museum, whose centerpiece is undoubtedly the wooden ship Skaftfellingur, used to freight products and people along the harbourless coast until the mid-20th century.

Hiking
Nestled between the black sands and the white glacier cap are grassy hills and mountains. A walk up Reynisfjall Mountain is a local favorite, providing views over the Atlantic and proximity to gorgeous bird cliffs. A walk up Hatta mountain will also give you a view over the glacier and Heiðarvatn lake. On Hjörleifshöfði cape, you will find ruins of an old farm and a Viking burial mound. A drive to Þakgil Canyon (accessible in summer only) will provide you with even more hiking opportunities. You will find maps and information about hiking and activities at the Katla information centre at Víkurbraut 28, Vík.