Accommodation
Eight double / twin rooms and one family room (double bed and bunk bed), all en-suite. One room has good wheelchair access. All rooms have lovely views over the countryside and mountains. Porch and hot tub. Common living room with TV and information pamphlets.
Board
Breakfast is included and dinner is available. Bar. The nearest supermarkets are in village Flúðir (18 km / 11 mi) and town Selfoss (33 km / 20.5 mi).
Service and recreation
Charging station for electric cars. Riders are well cared for at Álftröð, and they have access to overnight pastures for their horses, a paddock with an electric fence, and stables. Two places near Álftröð offer riding tours for beginners and more experienced riders: Vorsabær II (3 km / 1.8 mi) and Hestakráin (5 km / 3 mi). Lovely hiking trails up mountain Vörðufell, just above the guesthouse. Various tourism services throughout the quarter, like highland jeep tours, glacier tours, white river rafting and more. The nearest swimming pools are in Brautarholt (5 km / 3 mi), at Reykholt (22 km / 14 mi) and in town Selfoss (33 km / 20.5 mi). Golf courses by village Flúðir (20 km / 12 mi) and town Selfoss (33 km/ 20.5 mi), which is also the nearest town where you’ll find supermarkets, restaurants, a swimming pool and various other tourism services.
Geysir and Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss
Go in any direction from Álftröð and explore the southern lowlands or the highlands north of the region, where you’ll find unique natural attractions like Landmannalaugar (112 km / 70 mi). Geysir in Haukadalur (45 km / 28 mi) is Iceland’s best-known geothermal area, where the powerful geyser Strokkur erupts every 10 to 15 minutes. 10 km / 6 mi from Geysir is Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous and, according to popular opinion, most beautiful waterfall. Travelling east from Álftröð towards Eyjafjallajökull is a lovely day tour, where you’ll see jewels like Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Skógafoss waterfall.
Þjórsárdalur valley, a reconstructed farm, Hjálparfoss waterfall
Þjórsárdalur valley (37 km / 23 mi) is just by the highlands and close to the foothills of volcano Hekla. It’s a beautiful area, full of interesting contrasts, barren country, scrubs and green oases. The valley, that was completely abandoned following an 1104 eruption, is now home to a reconstructed farm from the Icelandic commonwealth era. It’s a true paradise for hikers and nature lovers, and the beautiful waterfall Hjálparfoss is just off the highway. You can drive up through the valley directly to the highlands, following a decent paved road that was built when construction begun on the hydroelectric power plants that now harness the glacial river Þjórsá.
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir National Park (62 km / 39 mi) is a spectacular and unforgettable place by the northern end of lake Þingvallavatn, which is Iceland’s largest lake. The old Alþingi (Althing) was founded here in 930 AD, Christianity legalized in 1000 and the Republic of Iceland formally founded on June 17th, 1944. It’s no wonder, therefore, that Þingvellir hold a special place in the nation’s heart. It’s also a geological wonder, as it’s one of few places where you can see tectonic plate boundaries above sea level. There are various interesting hiking trails to explore in the park, and there’s also a multimedia exhibition about Þingvellir’s history and nature at the Visitor’s Centre (open every day of the year from 9 – 17). The Visitor’s Centre is also a souvenir shop and information centre.
Host: Bára