Saxhóll, my happy little place in Iceland

I saw many beautiful things in my life. I have to thank my travels and my luck – I was born in a beautiful place and that’s probably what always kept my standards very high in my search for beauty. Having seen so much though, sometimes I worry I won’t be easily impressed anymore (I am always proven wrong anyways, which is the part I like).

I am not easily impressed by “popular” things. I have a natural rejection for best sellers, blockbusters, and of course overrated touristic landmarks. I was a bit worried when I visited Iceland too – I dreamed about this destination forever, and I heard so many enthusiastic stories, that the risk of being disappointed after too big expectations was really high.

In the end, Iceland delivered. But as usual, in the most unexpected ways, places and situations.

Jökulsárlón? Yes extremely nice. Gullfoss? Impressive. Kirkjufell? A dream coming true. But do you know that feeling of “having to like something or you’re weird”? I don’t want that. So I would say that for me, it’s outside of the “obviously beautiful” that the magic happens.

Today I am going to share my ‘happy little place in Iceland’ with you, a place that you will hardly find mentioned on guides and travel tales, but that left me the strongest memories of my last trip to the magic island. Its name is Saxhóll but I didn’t know it when I first… stepped on it.

HERE. On the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

It was my last day in Iceland and I had seen so many new things and beauties that I thought that was it, and I was more than fine with it!Well at some point on the side of the road I saw a little crater… a “baby volcano” of about 100 meters of height. No big deal, having just passed the majestic Snæfellsjökull, where the book “Journey to the Center of the Earth” was set.

“No big deal” – Saxholl, Iceland

A lucky climber on top of Saxholl

 No big deal, and the driver was not even stopping there, but I asked him to. I felt inexplicably attracted to that little mountain. We saw like a million craters and volcanoes on that trip, but that one felt special and I still can’t tell why. So we turned and reached the base of the volcano, and I jumped out of the car to run up to the top and the see the crater. I had to see the crater. Mom and Páll, the guide stayed at the bottom while I ran up as quick as possible. I was instantly feeling so excited, and eager, and happy!

I reached the crater in a few minutes – it is definitely not a hard climb – and looked across it. I could see the glacier on the other side, the golden afternoon light was beautiful, and lava fields covered in fluffy moss were all around. I was happy. Here, out of nowhere. In a place that for many others is “no big deal”, I suddenly find my little special place, the place where I can’t wait to go back.

Climbing Saxholl

Saxholl, the glaciers in front, and the main road

In the crater of Saxholl

Lava fields around Saxholl

Incredible, huh?

I still miss that place, and I am thankful to Saxhóll for reminding me that you never know what’s around the corner… beauty can be found in the most unexpected places… and the secret is to keep your heart open to the new. It’s rewarding.

Saxholl. Me on top, the car, mom and Pall waiting. Happy little place.