From trolls to tectonic plates: a tour of Vik i Myrdal Village

Iceland’s tiny Vík í Mýrdal village exists in the shadows of one of the country’s most dangerous volcanoes. On this leisurely walking tour, you’ll stroll through its compact village center, past modern attractions that showcase Iceland’s volcanic heritage, to the dramatic black coastline where folklore and geology collide. Starting at the red-roofed hillside Vík í Mýrdal Church (Víkurkirkja) that doubles as an evacuation point during volcanic emergencies, you’ll head into the heart of Iceland’s southernmost village. Along the way, I’ll share both personal connections to the area and fascinating insights into how nature has shaped life here for centuries. You’ll hear about the blood brothers who first settled in Iceland in 874 and the tragic fate of the viking settler, Hjörleifur Hróðmarsson, who made a home near present-day Vík. As you make your way to Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach where the tour ends, you’ll learn how the mighty Katla volcano, dormant since 1918 but still constantly monitored, continues to influence everything in Vík. On this 30-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to: • Walk a section of Iceland’s Ring Road, the 1,322-kilometer highway that wasn’t completed until 1974, nearly 1,100 years after settlement • Discover how geothermal energy from Katla heats the village’s outdoor swimming pool year-round without electricity • Marvel at the famous Reynisdrangar rock formations and hear the folklore that surrounds them • Find out how Iceland transformed its economy after the 2008 financial crash by developing tourism around its volcanic landscapes • See where the Netflix series ”Katla” was filmed among the dramatic black beaches and basalt formations • Appreciate the surprising diversity of wildlife, including summer puffin colonies that nest in the nearby cliffs From trolls to tectonic plates, this tour reveals how Icelanders have survived alongside powerful natural forces, creating one of the world’s most unique and beautiful coastal communities.

Price: £8.99 from VoiceMap