Between Akranesviti Lighthouse and the Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Waterfalls. was a roadside attraction. It wasn’t on our itinerary. I just saw it, braked and parked in front of a sign saying FOSSATUN.

“Oh thank you for stopping,” Tracy says, pushing her door open to get out. We have stopped because of an enormous troll head. Tracy and I go right to the head and Mary and Monique take a stroll down to the river.
Oral stories of hidden people, elves and trolls that live among the rocks have been a part of Icelandic folklore since the time of the Vikings. While Tracy stands with the head, I take photos of her and she tells me what she has learned on the topic. “Hidden people choose who can and can’t see them.” Apparently elves are like sirens and trolls are human-like but with more exaggerated forms. Speaking about them is generally frowned upon, but someone obvious has a sense of humor or wants to financially capitalize on the myths because the troll head is a landmark for the entrance to Troll park- a unique holiday location.
I ask Tracy to take a photo of me as I look away and this is when I realize what a beautiful spot we have stopped at. The river courses through a rocky gully. Blunted hills are all striated. To me the scratches look like giant claw marks dragged across the landscape, probably left by receding glaciers but maybe trolls.

Sheep are grazing on a bluff just above the river and sun is streaming a ray of light through the clouds We take a twenty-minute breather here just to look at the scenery and not have to move very far. It is an easy stop for everyone. Next up is Gerduberg cliffs
Please join us on a short walk to the 14 meter high basalt column cliffs. Happy travels from Maritimemac

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What a beautiful spot and you weren’t even accosted by trolls or elves 🙂
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I know… not sure if they were hiding from me or waiting in ambush.
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Lovely spot! Always enjoyed Viking sagas and stories including trolls…
Thanks, Kelly!
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Thank you PC. I’m way behind on your posts it’s been in my list to get caught up on you and Scouts outing. Hope you are well.
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It’s interesting to me that a lot of cultures have tales of “wee folk” or hidden people, etc. of some sort or the other. Several Native American tribes do, I know.
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It is interesting. I’m search that topic up on WP see if anyone has written about it.
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The landscape is really beautiful, Kelly! The troll head is interesting. ☺️
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Thanks John. I was looking up your blog it wouldn’t come up.
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The blog is live right now, that is odd!
https://lvphotoblog.com/blog/
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Got it
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I’m guessing you had the wrong address. ☺️
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It’s always fun to make spontaneous stops along a road trip. What a great picture of you with the troll head. And the surrounding scenery looks breathtaking.
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It was a funny little stop. Thank you for the compliment. 😊
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That’s one great troll, Kelly, looking a little devilish with his horns.,
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Yes. I had to get a picture with it. Thanks Curt.
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you take such interesting trips
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I got the travel fever, I think I was born with it. I’m glad you like my compulsion to see the world. Cheers Jim
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Looking for elves and gnomes and other mystical creatures is a wonderful way to use one’s imagination for travel. I once spent three days looking for Loch Ness Monster in Scotland and with no luck finding it , the experience talking to locals about this legend was truly fun. Alaska and Antarctica would also intrigue me in this manner.
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You are right. I did similar at loch Ness. I say eagles, moose, red foxes, totem poles, in Alaska but not elves. Lol I don’t know if I’ll ever get to Antarctica, so if you do, I’d like to hear the story
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We we booked Antarctica for the end of this year on a cruise. I’ll be looking for icy monsters there I suppose. .
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so exciting I can’t wait to hear about it
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Bur there will be plenty of travel times in between. Stay tuned.
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