Active/Adventure: Places: At the Edge of the World in Iceland

At the Edge of the World in Iceland

With more than 10,000 waterfalls, Europe’s biggest glacier and a wealth of rivers, lakes, ocean and expansive mountainous landscapes, Iceland is a destination for those who love nature, the great outdoors and a bit of adventure (activities include everything from cave diving to ice climbing). Until recently, though, there were no tempting hotel options outside Reykjavik, so outdoorsmen either had to backtrack to the capital or rough it in the countryside. Now the Hotel Ranga, in southern Hella, is changing all that.

A log cabin made entirely of imported pine, the Ranga has 39 cozy rooms, all of which have fantastic views over the expansive scenery. The new wing of the building can be rented out in its entirety, as the Rockefeller clan did on a recent seven-day jaunt to Iceland. Most indulgent is the spacious Royal Suite (somewhat oddly named, considering you’re in the midst of Icelandic countryside), which has a large sitting area and Jacuzzi. Seven additional master suites and a spa are in the works and are slated to be complete this summer, as is a helipad so that clients can easily chopper into the rugged interior of the country. The area’s activities include everything from glacier tours, hiking and ice climbing to cave diving, river rafting and fishing (the Ranga is right by the East-Ranga salmon river, which has repeatedly drawn avid fisherman Eric Clapton to this part of the world; the best season for salmon fishing is the fall). If you come during the winter, the Ranga is in a perfect location to see the Northern Lights. If you are en route back to Reykjavik, it is still worth calling the hotel to see if they can arrange a lunch reservation for you: don’t miss the house specialty, a spicy fish bouillabaisse made of monkfish, salmon and shrimp. Rooms from $300.

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