HEIM - Solstice Walk Path in Videy (EN)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 3.39 mi
- Elevation gain
- 75 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 75 ft
- Max elevation
- 144 ft
- TrailRank
- 43
- Min elevation
- -7 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 2 hours 39 minutes
- Coordinates
- 756
- Uploaded
- March 6, 2020
- Recorded
- February 2020
near Reykjavík, Höfuðborgarsvæði (Ísland)
Viewed 706 times, downloaded 6 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Waypoints
Waypoint
249 ft
Ferry tickets
How to get to Videy Island: https://elding.is/tours?type=videy or: https://reykjavikcitymuseum.is/videy-island/the-ferry
Waypoint
249 ft
Videy Island is just across a narrow sound
Unspoiled nature reigns on the island of Videy, which has a unique place in Icelandic history.
Waypoint
12 ft
On board the ferry
In a about 5 minutes on the ferry we suddenly find ourselves in a different world from Reykjavik City where we are able to enjoy peaceful attractive Nature, during winter as well as summer.
Waypoint
14 ft
Looking back from Videy Island to Reykjavík
Looking back from Videy Island to Reykjavik.
Waypoint
67 ft
Starting point of the Summer Solstice Walk - in summer!
It is winter time this time and the surroundings quite different from the summer conditions we are used to during the solstice summer walks in the past.
Waypoint
140 ft
Videy House and Videy Church
Videy House on the right was the first building in Iceland constructed of stone, one of the oldest buildings in the country, built a few years after 1750 as the official residence of Skuli Magnusson. He had been appointed the Sheriff of Iceland and was for many years the most powerful man in Iceland. The church was built a little later, around 1775.
Waypoint
131 ft
Mountain Esja in the background
Residents of Reykjavik and surroundings are very fond of Mountain Esja. They find it beautiful to look at and the mountain is frequented by hikers, young and old.
Waypoint
131 ft
Looking towards northeast to Mosfellsdalur on the 'mainland'
Gljufrasteinn in MOSFELLSDALUR was the home of Noble Price Winner Halldor Kiljan Laxness, his wife Audur and family. Their home is now a Museum, certainly worth visiting. See: http://www.gljufrasteinn.is/en/home
Waypoint
131 ft
Looking towards northeast to Mosfellsdalur on the 'mainland'
There are no trees in Videy, so you have a nice view in all directions!
Waypoint
131 ft
Midwinter snow covers the island
Not much is going on in Videy Island nowadays besides tourism but during the time period 1225-1539 there was a wealthy, influential monastery on the island, demanding a large-scale farming. Remnants of a medieval field-wall across the whole island is still visible - if you know where to look!
Waypoint
113 ft
The old schoolhouse
In the early 20th century a small village grew up on the eastern part of Videy around a big fishing company. The schoolhouse was built in 1928, now containing an interesting photo exhibition, displaying old pictures from this lively period. No-one lives in Videy now.
Waypoint
79 ft
Looking towards the old water tank
A water tank, installed by the fishing company in 1908, held 150 tons of water for supplying ships in the harbour. In the 1970s an association of former islanders and their descendants converted the tank into a clubhouse. The tank is just around the small hill on the left, not quite visible on the photo. At the plain in front, the participants of the summer solstice walk usually take a rest to listen to talks on history and nature. More on the phenomena of the summar solstice in general, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_solstice
Waypoint
55 ft
Midwinter picnic in Nature
This is another common location for listening to talks and poems during a summer solstice walk. More on the activity see on facebook: USC (UNIVERSAL SOLSTICE CELEBRATION) / Sólstöðuhátíð.
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