Solstice Walk Path in Videy II
near Reykjavík, Höfuðborgarsvæði (Ísland)
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Trail photos
Itinerary description
Waypoints
Ferry tickets
How to get to Videy Island: https://elding.is/tours?type=videy or: https://reykjavikcitymuseum.is/videy-island/the-ferry
Videy Island is just across a narrow sound.
Unspoiled nature reigns on the island of Videy, which has a unique place in Icelandic history.
On board the ferry. A short ride.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
Looking south towards Reykjavik.
There are no trees in Videy, so you have a nice view in all directions!
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!
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.
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 .
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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