Welcome to Gljúfurbústaðir

To contact the cabin caretakers please call reception (+354) 483 4461 / (+354) 896 4761 (mobile) or come to the reception. If there is no answer at reception, call (+354) 892 6311 / (+354) 486 4461.

Note that you can access this document at: http://gljufur.is/welcome.html

In 1983 Rósa Finnsdóttir and Jón Hólm Stefánsson bought the Gljúfur farm. They ran Gljúfur as a dairy farm but also farming sheep and horses. In 2001 they changed the main focus from dairy farming to tourism. The first two cabins were build in the summer of 2001. Another five in 2002 and the last one in 2003. Total eight cabins under the company name of Gljúfurbústaðir. Up until 2014 the business was run solely by Jón and Rósa but since 2013 their son Stefán and his wife Kerry have helped with it.

Your hosts, Jón og Rósa.

While organizing the area most focus was on having a fair space between the cabins and having them up high enough to ensure view of the farming area to the south, and down to the ocean. Also not to block the view by trees or bushes and to keep the vegetation and surrounding area as icelandic as possible.

Rósa has great interest in embroidery and all sorts of hand craft. This can be seen in her many handcrafted items within the cabins. Jón has been singing in quartets, choirs and solo most of his adult life and a CD with his singing can be found in the cabins.

Jón and Rósa are both very interested in forestry and are part of the organization of forest farmers in Iceland. The farm has taken part in the reforestation if Iceland program since 1999, in which time more than 200.000 trees have been planted, most of them by Rósa.

Rósa has also great interest in gardening as can be seen around the farm houses.

The farm dogs Loppa og Freyja. Please don‘t feed them or let them on to your cabin veranda. Pets are not allowed in the cabins and we prefer ours stay home with us protecting the flowers and vegetable from the chickens.

We wish you a pleasant stay at our cabins and a nice trip home.

Thank you for staying and welcome back.

Gljúfurbústaðir ehf.

House rules

While staying at the cabin you are responsible for the cabin, furniture and household equipment so please leave it in the state it was when you came.

Please note that pets are not allowed.

Don‘t leave any food or trash outdoors since various animals like to steal food and nose through the trash. These include foxes, minks, ravens, seagulls and neighbouring dogs.

A green garbage container is located in the center of the area. Please note that the doors are on the sides of it. In the same location is a container for bottles and cans.

The water is safe to drink, as it is everywhere in Iceland.

Both hot and cold water are from our own water sources, the cold water from the hills above and hot water from a geothermal source. This explains why the hot water smells a little bit, geothermal water usually does, but that is nothing to worry about.

Please note that there is a fire escape ladder outside the window on the TV loft. The window can be opened fully by undoing the latch on it.

Fire extinguisher is by the front door and fire blanket by the kitchen stove.

Going for a walk in the hills above the cabins is ok but try not to step on the small trees.

On departure, please do the following:

· Take all trash, cans and bottles to the garbage containers.

· Wash and dry the kitchen utensils.

· Empty the hot tub (by turning the handle next to it).

· Close all windows and make sure all doors are locked.

Please do NOT turn off any of the water or electricity when you leave the house.

WiFi (internet) usage

The wifi name is the same as your house name.

The password for the wifi is: jolakotturinn

The wifi is free.

If there is no internet access you might need to restart the router by unplugging it from the wall upstairs (above the window) and plug it in again after few seconds. It might take a minute to reset itself. If this does not work then contact us at the reservation.

Note: In house Brekka this is in the front window to the left, up high.

Note: In house Kambur the plug is upstairs, left of the window.

Some useful addresses:

· Iceland news in english: http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is

· Weather: http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/areas

· Roads: http://www.road.is

· Address lookup: http://en.ja.is

TV usage

There are only few TV channels available, usually three unscrambled and few that are scrambled most of the time. Only children shows are dubbed in Iceland so in the evenings you might find programs in some other language than Icelandic.

Turn on TV by pressing the little red power knob on the remote. Please note that if the TV does not turn on there is a small power switch underneeth it, towards the right side, that you might need to switch on.

If the TV is on (blue light in the lower right corner) but no picture, make sure the antenna cable is plugged into both the wall and TV. If that is all ok then try restarting the TV by unplugging it from the wall and plugging it back in.

To use the DVD it should be enough to turn the DVD player on. The TV should then switch to it automatically.

How to use the hot tub

Quick and simple instructions.

Start water (2).

Turn handle (5) to close (do not pull handle up).

Water comes in through bottom of hot tub, it fills in 50-60 minutes.

Stop water (2) after each use.

Turn handle (5) to empty hot tub (do not pull handle up). Clean it with soap and brush (6).

Note that numbers in the text refer to numbers in the pictures.

More detailed instructions.

In the shed next to the hot tub you find the thermostatic mixer (1).

On the left side (2) you start the water flowing to the hot tub. Open it all the way.

Outside, between the hut tub and the shed, you find the drainage handle (5). Now turn it ca. 90°. Note that it can sometimes be turned too far so listen for gurgling noises like the water is escaping through the valve. Adjust the handle until the noise stops and you see water flowing in through the bottom of the hot tub.

Make sure not to pull the handle (5) up because it can come loose so it has to be fixed under the house.

In the shed you can now adjust the heat on the right side (3) of the thermostatic mixer (1) until the thermometer (4) shows about 40 °C. But please note that this is probably already set correctly and that the thermometer takes a few minutes to change after you adjust the heat.

Now it should take about 50-60 minutes to fill the hot tub. Just keep an eye on the thermometer to make sure it is still at the desired temperature.

Between usage it is best to leave the water in the hot tub. Just turn off the water (2). The water used to heat the house will keep it warm. Next time you want to use it just turn on the water (2) and it will be much quicker to heat up.

Please remember to turn off the water (2) when not using the hot tub.

When you leave, please turn the drainage handle (5) to empty the hot tub and clean it using the soap and brush (6).

Always make sure the safety chain on the hot tub lid (7) is hooked.

The best time to see the northern lights is usually between 22:00 and 01:00, when it starts to be dark at these hours, and more often when there is proper frost in the air. Viewing the northern lights from the hot tub on a frosty night can be quite good.

Please note that the veranda (terrace) can get very slippery, specially when the temperature is close to zero degrees. This can happen very suddenly.

Please note that children should not use the hot tub unsupervised and are at their parents/caretakers responsibility.

BBQ usage

Drag BBQ to the outside veranda before usage. Never use inside the shed or return to the shed when hot.

Open the gas valve on top of the gas tank underneeth the BBQ.

Use the knobs to light the fire. If they are not working there should be a BBQ lighter in the kitchen drawer with the kitchen utensils.

BBQ tongs and cleaning brush should be in the shed, on top of the BBQ or on the wall.

Remember to turn off the gas after each use.

If you run out of gas then contact us at the reception and we replace the tank.

About the local area

Ölfus is the name of the area we are located in. It stretches down to the ocean, following the Ölfusá river the the east.

The mountain to the east of us, stretching south to highway one, is Ingólfsfjall, named after the first permanent settler in Iceland, Ingólfur Arnarson. He is rumored to have spent a winter under the mountain and buried his treasure there.

Ölfus consists of a fairly big farming area (Icelandic standard) and a fishing town called Þorlákshöfn. Þorlákshöfn is the last proper harbour on the south coast of Iceland, until you come to the town of Höfn in the east. Because of this the ferry to Vestmannaeyjar used to always go from there, and still does if situation demands it. This was until the new harbor Landeyjahöfn was built.

Ölfus used to have many dairy and sheep farms but has now turned much towards tourism and horse farming. Many residents now work off farm and have farming as a hobby or a side project.

Ölfus has many horse related entertainment, scheduled horse trips and horse shows. See the Activity we suggest chapter.

Hveragerði is a town of around 2500 people. It is mainly an agricultural town, build around much geothermal activity and housing many green houses, all geothermally heated, growing mostly vegetables and flowers.

Selfoss is the biggest town in the south, with 7000 residents, and the capital of southern Iceland. It was built around servicing the agriculture of the area and has both a diary plant and slaughter house.

Most standard services can be found here.

Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki are small villages on the south coast, directly south of us. On dark and bright nights the lights from them can be seen, Stokkseyri furthest to the left, then Eyrarbakki in the middle and to the far right is Þorlákshöfn.

In Stokkeyri you will find a hunting museum.

Eyrarbakki used to be the commerce center of the south in the old times and used to be amongst the biggest villages in Iceland. Since the bridge on Ölfusá, between Eyrarbakki and Þorlákshöfn, the harbor there is not used anymore.

Vestmannaeyjar are the islands you can see on a clear day from the mountain, coming down to Hveragerði. There is a ferry that goes there from Landeyjahöfn, 80 km east of Selfoss. See https://herjolfur.is/en/schedule for schedule.

On Heimaey, the biggest of Vestmannaeyjar islands, is a town of 4500 people. In 1973 a volcanic eruption in the town itself caused a complete evacuation of the island. Some of the houses have now been excavated and are now on display. But best go here to see what there is to do: http://visitwestmanislands.com

Turning left on highway one, just before you come to Selfoss, you head into the are of the so called golden circle (Þingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir). In this area you find the villages of Laugarvatn, Reykholt, Laugarás and Flúðir.

Here you can see a map from the road company showing the towns mentioned above:

http://www.road.is/travel-info/road-conditions-and-weather/south-iceland-road-conditions-map/

Local services

Please note that the opening hours information on here might be outdated.

The nearest town is Hveragerði. They have a tourist information office in the mini-mall, open from 8:30 to 18:00 on weekdays, 8:30 to 16:00 on Saturdays and 8:30 to 15:00 on Sundays. It is best to talk to them about what to do in the area. Phone: (+354) 483 4601.

Many of the services noted below are located in this mini-mall. Location: http://en.ja.is/bonus/3NlRW .

Here is some info from the town: https://www.south.is/en/inspiration/towns/hveragerdi

For breakfast you can go to the bakery (Almar bakarí) in the mini-mall in Hveragerði. Five minute drive. Open from 7:00 – 18:00 on weekdays and from 8:00 to 17:00 on weekends.

Nearest grocery store is Bónus in the mini-mall in Hveragerði. Open from 11:00 to 18:30 on weekdays except 10:00 to 19:00 on Fridays, 10:00 to 18:00 on Sat. and from 11:00 go 18:00 on Sun.

In Selfoss there is Krónan. Open all days of the week from 9:00 to 20:00. Location: https://en.ja.is/kronan/XDPAk/

In Selfoss there is also Bónus with same opening times as in Hveragerði. Location: http://en.ja.is/bonus/MO51A

For later shopping there is a smaller grocery store, Samkaup, in Selfoss. Open from 7:30 to 23:30 on weekdays, from 8:00 to 23:30 on Saturdays and from 9:00 to 23:30 on Sundays. Location: https://en.ja.is/krambud/ZEyjd/

The swimming pool in Hveragerði is closed at the moment due to maintenance. Scheduled to open again in June 2021.

The swimming pool in Selfoss is open from 6:30 to 21:30 on weekdays and from 9:00 to 19:00 on weekends. Location: http://en.ja.is/sundlaug-arborg

The swimming pool in Þorlákshöfn is open from 7:00 to 21:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekends (10:00 to 17:00 in winter). Location: http://en.ja.is/sundlaug-thorlakshofn/XOoOL

All of these are geothermally heated and all have some hot tup and/or sauna.

The pools in Selfoss and Þorlákshöfn have water slides.

Prices are usually around ISK 1000 per. person and additionally around ISK 800 if you need to rent swimming trunks and towels.

In Iceland all alcohol (beers, wines and strong spirits) are only sold in special government run stores called Vínbúðin.

The nearest one is in the mini-mall in Hveragerði, open from 11:00 to 18:00 on weekdays except 11:00 to 19:00 on Fridays and 11:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays.

The store in Selfoss is open from 11:00 to 18:00 on weekdays except 11:00 to 19:00 on Fridays and 11:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays. Location: https://en.ja.is/vinbudin/Z6a7d/

There is a small movie theater in Selfoss. Webside: https://biohusid.is/ but only in Icelandic. But note that only children movies are dubbed. All other movies are in their original language with Icelandic subtitles. Location: https://en.ja.is/biohusid-selfossi/

Laundry self service is at the camping side in Hveragerði.

Location: http://en.ja.is/hveragerdisbaer/6xrnp

Price is about ISK 700 for the washing machine and another 700 for the dryer.

Usually open but to make sure you can call the caretaker at (+354) 844 6617 to make sure.

It is better if you can bring your own washing powder but they often have some for you.

There is also a dry cleaning in Selfoss where they do regular laundry also. You leave your clothes with them and pick them up the next day. Location: http://en.ja.is/efnalaug-sudurlands

Taxi service in Hveragerði: +354-483-4200 and in Selfoss: +354-482-3800.

Emergency services and health care.

In case of emergency always call 112.

Note that they have an app (search for 112 Iceland). With it you can check in your current location for later reference in case you need to be searched for. Or you can make single button emergency call which also sends them your location.

For a doctor there is a daytime local health care in Hveragerði. Open between 8:00 and 16:00 on weekdays.

Phone: (+354) 432 2400. Usually you need to call ahead to book doctors appointments.

Location: http://en.ja.is/heilbrigdisstofnun-sudurlands/L5JPX

In Selfoss there is both a hospital with 24/7 emergency service and a daytime local health care, open between 8:00 and 16:00.

Phone: (+354) 432 2000. Same here, call ahead to book doctors appointment.

Location: http://en.ja.is/heilbrigdisstofnun-sudurlands

Pharmacies (drug stores) in the area.

· Apótekarinn in Hveragerði. Open from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays. Phone: (+354) 483 4197. Location: http://en.ja.is/apotekarinn/kKjJE

· Lyfja in Selfoss. Open from 9:00 to 18:30 on weekdays, from 10:00 to 14:00 on Saturdays and 11:00 to 14:00 on Sundays. Phone: (+354) 482 3000. Location: http://en.ja.is/lyfja/7LLZP

Some restaurant suggestions

· Reykr, Hveragerði: https://reykr.is/ . Location: http://en.ja.is/frost-og-funi

· Rauða húsið, Eyrarbakki: http://raudahusid.is/en/home . Location: http://en.ja.is/raudahusid

· Fjöruborðið, Stokkeyri: http://www.fjorubordid.is/english . Location: http://en.ja.is/fjorubordid

· Ölverk, Hveragerði: https://www.olverk.is/ . Location: https://en.ja.is/olverk/

Note that these are just to name a few, there are others, specially in Selfoss.

Activity we suggest

Horse riding

· Eldhestar: http://eldhestar.is . Location: http://en.ja.is/eldhestar-hestaleiga

· Sólhestar: http://www.solhestar.is . Location: http://en.ja.is/solhestar

Kids / family

· Friðheimar: http://fridheimar.is/en . Location: http://en.ja.is/gardyrkjustodin-fridheimum-selfoss

· Slakki petting zoo located in the Laugarás village.

· Camping sites: http://tjalda.is/en

Hiking

· North of Hveragerði (drive through the town), there is a marked trail up to Reykjadalur, a geothermal valley with a hot pool. Further information can be had in the Hveragerði tourist info center.

Adventurous

· River rafting: http://www.arcticrafting.com

· Arctic Adventures tours: https://www.adventures.is

· Extreme Iceland tours: https://www.extremeiceland.is/en

· Ice caving: http://adventurepoint.is/

Swimming

· See the Local Services chapter for swimming pools in the area.

· Swimming pools in Iceland: http://www.swimminginiceland.com

· Nature pools: http://www.islandihnotskurn.is/Places.aspx?ID=7

Golf

· Þorlákshöfn, 18 holes. Right by road 38, just north of Þorlákshöfn. Phone: (+354) 483 3009.

· Hveragerði, 9 holes. http://www.ghg.is . Location: http://en.ja.is/golfklubbur-hveragerdis-hveragerdi

· Selfoss, 9 holes. http://gosgolf.is . Location: http://en.ja.is/golfklubbur-selfoss-svarfholsvollur

Caving

There are many lava tube caves in the area between here and Reykjavík but many are either closed off or hard to find.

And remember to never enter a cave unless you have a good flash light and preferably backup batteries. The phone flashlight is not enough.

· Raufarhólshellir. A popular cave in the area and easy to access, right next to road 39 you see a sign and a small parking area: https://www.extremeiceland.is/en/activity-tours-iceland/caving-iceland/raufarholshellir

· Arnarker. https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/arnarker

· Under the Adventurous section above some caving tours can be found.

Fishing

For fishing in Iceland you always need to buy a license, and usually many weeks in advance. But there are a few places where you can go fishing without much notice.

Note that fishing is only allowed in summer, different times for each river/lake, but generally between april/may and september/october.

· Mouth of the Ölfusá river. Sea run brown trout and occational salmon. You can buy license to fish at the gas station in Eyrarbakki village for ISK 2000 per. day.

· Þingvallavatn, national park section of the lake. Brown trout and char. Get license (price ISK 2000 per. day) and directions to where to fish at the tourist information here: https://en.ja.is/tjaldstaedid-thingvollum/

Driving in Iceland

A short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNjXsAc1y88

Note that it is mandatory in Iceland to have the headlights on at all times, all year. Some cars only turn on park lights automatically which is not enough.

And it is also mandatory for all passengers to wear seatbelts.

Please be on the lookout for single lane bridges, specially in the east of Iceland. Approach slowly and cross if you see no one on the bridge (sometimes you cant see until you are right at it).

Be careful on the gravel roads. There are still some bits of highway 1 gravel roads (in the east) but then you also find them all over the place. It can be dangerous when leaving pavement as there can be sharp edges where they join and cars can start to slide if going too fast. But there are signs by the roads warning you of when road changes from pavement to gravel.

In some areas, mainly close to Reykjavik, farm animals are supposed to be fenced off from the roads. But they can escape so be careful.

And as you get further out they can be all over the road. These are mainly sheep, and only in summer, but in winter these can be horses or even wild reindeer in the east of Iceland.

If you hit a farm animal the best thing to do is to go to the nearest farm and report it.

The sheeps are usually in groups of three, a mother with two lambs. The most danger is when they are not all on the same side of the road as you approach.

If you need to stop to take photographs, try to find an outing on the road to park, or at least make sure you are not in a blind spot on the road and turn the right indicator light on.

In winter, temperature in this area is mostly fluctuating around zero degrees celcius. This means the snow keeps thawing and freezing, creating difficult situations like frozen tracks on the road or slush which can easily take control of the car.

Also a completely clear looking road can have black ice on it if the temperature goes below 4 degrees celcius so keep an eye on the thermometer in the car if you have one.

The roads from Reykjavik to here have highest priority to be kept open but still it is closed a handful of times each winter, usually for just a few hours. The height of winter here is in January/February.

Here you can see the road conditions in Iceland:

http://www.road.is

Just press the area you are interested in on the Iceland map in the center. Click south-west area for the roads from the airport, to Reykjavik and to here.

Note that we are at the top of the n shaped road just east of Hveragerði.

Here is the weather forcast:

http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/areas

Click on South in the list to the left for our area. If you hover over weather signs you can see their name. The one called Hellisheiði is the pass from Reykjavík to here.

Useful language

Á – River

Barð – A raised grassy area, or edge there of.

Blóm – Flower

Botn – The end of a land inlet.

Brekka – Slope

Bústaður – Cabin

Dalur – Valley / Dale

Eldur – Fire

Fjall – Mountain

Gil – Gulley

Gljúfur – Gorge / Canyon

Horn – Corner

Hóll – Hill

Hver – Hot spring

Kambur – The edge of a raised area.

Leira – Clay / muddy area

Lækur – Creek

Mýri – Swamp

Möl – Gravel

Runni – Bush

Skógur – Forrest

Snjór – Snow

Steinn – Stone

Tré – Tree

Vatn – Water