Icelandic Saga - First Recce Report
The first recce of the Icelandic Saga has been completed and we have some more information on the event. Read more...
Icelandic Saga 2019
Iceland is an amazing place and we're glad to see you're considering the 2019 Icelandic Saga, which will be HERO's third adventure around this stunning island. Rural Iceland is a land of contrasts; wild beauty and endless space made up of rivers, mountains, valleys, waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, cold and hot springs and so much more that wherever you are able to look you will see stunning vistas.
So what is a ‘saga’? ‘The Icelandic Sagas’ are 40 unique stories about the first settlers in the country. They describe raids abroad and blood feuds at home and are part of Icelandic culture. They are 1,000 year-old true stories of ordinary farmers and raiders facing real-life problems. These amazing sagas are preserved on calfskin manuscripts and have also been passed down verbally throughout time. A modern ‘saga’ is the shock result when Iceland’s football team beat England 2 -1 in the European Championship’s in 2016!
Iceland is an under-populated island near the top of the globe, it only became a republic in 1944. In January 2018 the population was around 350,000 people, the majority of whom live in the Reykjavik area. In 2015 the tourist numbers were around 1,290,000 but 2 years later in 2017 there were over 2 million visitors experiencing the magic of this country.
It is like a vast volcanic factory where mighty forces shape the earth: geysers gush, mudpots gloop, ice-covered volcanoes rumble and glaciers cut great pathways through the mountains. It is a supercharged landscape designed to impress visitors of their utter insignificance in the greater scheme of things.
Bravely forging through the geological magnificence is the Ring Road, Iceland’s Route 1, which joins nearly all the places you can get to without a serious 4x4. Epic doesn’t even begin to describe this road, but it's not just about jaw-dropping vistas, the counterpoint to so much natural beauty is found in Iceland’s vibrant cultural life, handicrafts, local cuisine and the warmth of its creative, no-nonsense, welcoming people. It’s a drive like no other. So climb aboard and enjoy your adventure with some motorsport thrown in!
(Above) The stunning scenery will start right from the start of the event as crew's leave the Harpa, one of Reykjavik's most remarkable Landmarks that has an important role in Icelandic music and culture. Competitors will enjoy a variety of tests and regularities throughout the day with Coffee taking place in the Pingvellir National Park Visitors centre, Lunch in the Icelandair Hotel and the overnight halt near to Gaddstadaflatir Equestrian Centre. Day 2 of the event will see competitors take a coastal journey through southern Iceland, absorbing the stunning scenery of towering glaciers, black sandy beeches, dramatic mountains, powerful waterfalls, basalt cliffs and sprawling lava fields. The afternoon of day 2 will present a choice between more stunning scenery and landmark visiting or testing out the capabilities of a snow mobile.
Days four, five and six of the event are filled with tests and regularities, even more stunning scenery and the opportunity to go Whale watching in Skjalfandi Bay. Then on the final day of competition, crews will have the chance to enjoy the final set of tests and regularities, a visit to the hot springs in Deildartunga and a final opportunity to absorb the stunning sights that Iceland has to offer.
Iceland is an amazing place and we're glad to see you're considering the 2019 Icelandic Saga, which will be HERO's third adventure around this stunning island. Rural Iceland is a land of contrasts; wild beauty and endless space made up of rivers, mountains, valleys, waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, cold and hot springs and so much more that wherever you are able to look you will see stunning vistas.
So what is a ‘saga’? ‘The Icelandic Sagas’ are 40 unique stories about the first settlers in the country. They describe raids abroad and blood feuds at home and are part of Icelandic culture. They are 1,000 year-old true stories of ordinary farmers and raiders facing real-life problems. These amazing sagas are preserved on calfskin manuscripts and have also been passed down verbally throughout time. A modern ‘saga’ is the shock result when Iceland’s football team beat England 2 -1 in the European Championship’s in 2016!
Iceland is an under-populated island near the top of the globe, it only became a republic in 1944. In January 2018 the population was around 350,000 people, the majority of whom live in the Reykjavik area. In 2015 the tourist numbers were around 1,290,000 but 2 years later in 2017 there were over 2 million visitors experiencing the magic of this country.
It is like a vast volcanic factory where mighty forces shape the earth: geysers gush, mudpots gloop, ice-covered volcanoes rumble and glaciers cut great pathways through the mountains. It is a supercharged landscape designed to impress visitors of their utter insignificance in the greater scheme of things.
Bravely forging through the geological magnificence is the Ring Road, Iceland’s Route 1, which joins nearly all the places you can get to without a serious 4x4. Epic doesn’t even begin to describe this road, but it's not just about jaw-dropping vistas, the counterpoint to so much natural beauty is found in Iceland’s vibrant cultural life, handicrafts, local cuisine and the warmth of its creative, no-nonsense, welcoming people. It’s a drive like no other. So climb aboard and enjoy your adventure with some motorsport thrown in!
(Above) The stunning scenery will start right from the start of the event as crew's leave the Harpa, one of Reykjavik's most remarkable Landmarks that has an important role in Icelandic music and culture. Competitors will enjoy a variety of tests and regularities throughout the day with Coffee taking place in the Pingvellir National Park Visitors centre, Lunch in the Icelandair Hotel and the overnight halt near to Gaddstadaflatir Equestrian Centre. Day 2 of the event will see competitors take a coastal journey through southern Iceland, absorbing the stunning scenery of towering glaciers, black sandy beeches, dramatic mountains, powerful waterfalls, basalt cliffs and sprawling lava fields. The afternoon of day 2 will present a choice between more stunning scenery and landmark visiting or testing out the capabilities of a snow mobile.
Days four, five and six of the event are filled with tests and regularities, even more stunning scenery and the opportunity to go Whale watching in Skjalfandi Bay. Then on the final day of competition, crews will have the chance to enjoy the final set of tests and regularities, a visit to the hot springs in Deildartunga and a final opportunity to absorb the stunning sights that Iceland has to offer.
For more information on the event please CLICK HERE
