Mount Hecla is directly united with the lava-mountains piled round it, and seems from the plain only as a higher point.

It is surrounded by several glaciers, whose dazzling fields of snow descend far down, and whose brilliant plains have probably never been trod by human feet; several of its sides were also covered with snow.

To the left of the valley near Salsun, and at the foot of a lava-hill, lies a lovely lake, on whose shores a numerous flock of sheep were grazing.

Near it rises another beautiful hill, so solitary and isolated, that it looks as if it had been cast out by its neighbours and banished hither.

Indeed, the whole landscape here is so peculiarly Icelandic, so strange and remarkable, that it will ever remain impressed on my memory.
Salsun lies at the foot of Mount Hecla, but is not seen before one reaches it.
Arrived at Salsun, our first care was to seek a guide, and to bargain for every thing requisite for the ascension of the mountain.