From the main road in southern Iceland, near Breiðamerkurjökull, rises Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest peak in the country at 2,110 meters. It is part of the Öræfajökull volcanic massif and, on clear days, it stands out clearly over Vatnajökull as a sharp, white peak. The view from the Ring Road is picture-postcard: a snow-capped giant dominating the horizon, while glaciers stretch out to the sea. It's a good idea to stop at a layby to admire it calmly, and if you're cycling, be prepared for gusts of cold wind that descend from the glacier even in summer. It's an imposing reminder that Iceland is made on a volcanic and glacial scale.