Kirkjugólf Natural Monument

Iceland has such a treasure trove of fascinating sites that it would be easy to overlook this lesser known one, but I loved it. I have seen lots and lots of basalt columns, but this is the only place ever where the top parts of the columns were sheared off and polished by glaciers, leaving what looks just like a medieval church’s hexagonal tile floor.

It is easy to find and just takes a quick detour if you are driving east on 1. Turn northwest on Geirland/203 at Kirkjubaejarklauster and watch for the parking area on the left in a minute or so. A well-beaten path takes you past a mythical burial mound to the site in about 5 minutes.

The setting is magnificent, out in a pasture with cows grazing peacefully and mountains rising beyond.

It isn’t a large area, so don’t be surprised by that, but no worries; it’s...

In local language it’s called church floor. Though there was no church at all. Its is strange rock formation. Million years ago there was lava flow from the near by mountain. As the sea at that time was near the water covered the area soon after the deposition. Then due to the rapid cooling the rock ( basalt type) solidified quickly and crystallised in the typical form. The crystallised rock is within the soil and only the up portion is visible as such. Any one can spend 10 minutes here and take pictures. This a curious sight only for common people...

The Kirkjugólf hexagonal basalt column formation is situated just a short walk east of the campingsite Kirkjubæjarklaustur II. While you are out walking, be sure to have the time for the trip up the hill, just behind the small farm with a small "forest" around it.

Up threre is a superb veiw over the plain and the farm land, and the beautiful lake Systravatn. Then, at the outlet of the lake, there is a steep path down along the...