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On the west side of Húnafjörður, the rock arch of Hvítserkur towers just off the shore; far to the south, nearly at the pass out of North Iceland, Hveravellir adds colour to the highlands with one of the country's largest geothermal fields. The islands of Málmey and Drangey in Skagafjörður exude folklore, while the people of Eyjafjörður boast of more magnificent mountains and more prosperous farming communities than one can generally find. The two Þingey counties present nature that is simultaneously rough, mild and breathtaking, with so many sights you would be hard put to find more natural masterpieces anywhere else. Take, for example, the waterfalls of Goðafoss and Dettifoss, the latter Europe's mightiest. Downstream from Dettifoss, explore Jökulsárgljúfur, one of the country's most awe-inspiring canyons. Here can be found the Hljóðaklettar formations and Ásbyrgi, where the rushing waters of the Jökulsá have shaped stark cliffs. Far to the south, Askja epitomises calderas and volcanoes. Although Mývatn and its entire environs are world-famous for their beauty, the cliffs of Dimmuborgir comprise a wondrous world of their own.
Akureyri, 45 minutes by air from Reykjavík and five hours by road, is the regional centre and natural base for travellers with a whole world of nature righ on its doorstep. This is a town with family-friendly outdoor leisure sites and well-developed services, and offers different attractions throughout the year. In summer, you can choose between a hotel or guesthouse in town or nearby holiday cottages with a geothermal jacuzzi. Now designated the winter sports centre of Iceland, Akureyri has some of the finest ski slopes in Iceland as well as opportunities all around for snow scooters, hores rentals, ice fishing and other activities.
An hour away by road is Lake Mývatn, where a sizeable community has developed around this bird-watches´ paradise. Bizarre natural lava sculptures stand out in and around the lake, while at geothermal fields the land is painted in all colours of the rainbow. Some way to the east, Jökulsárgljúfur National Park completes the north´s trangle of "musts" stretching along an awesome canyon which includes Dettifoss, Europe´s most powerful waterfall.
On Skjálfandi Bay, the town of Húsavík has established itself as Europe´s main whale watching centre, with astonishingly high sighting rates.
Skagafjörður district, with its smooth green valleys, stark mountains and mighty glacial rivers flowing down from the highlands, is one of the big centres for river rafting. It is also the traditional heart of horse riding in Iceland and boasts some beautiful old buildings at its many Saga Age and historical sites. Top attractions include Glaumbær Folk Museum in an old turfbuilt farmhouse, the old episcopal see of Hólar and the Heritage Centre in the village of Hofsós, which is dedicated to the 19th-century emigrations from Iceland to North America. For wildlife lovers, Húnaflói Bay is probably the most accessible shore in Iceland for watching seals in their natural habitat.
A wide range of travel services can be found at Sauðárkrókur, the main town in Skagafjörður, as well as in the smaller communities inland and along the coast.
Iceland´s northernmost face can be seen on Grímsey, the only part of the country crossed by the Arctic Circle, where a hundred islanders and millions of seabirds live in proud defiance of the elements. Visitors there are presented with a certificate to prove they have crossed into the Arctic.
Mývatnssveit is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist destinations for many reasons. The area is renowned for its awesome natural beauty, with volcanic eruptions having played a crucial role in the formation of the landscape since ancient times. Roads and walkways lead travelers to interesting locations, whether the plan is to enjoy the strange landscape, examine unique natural phenomena or take a closer look at the plant and bird life. Moreover, Mývatnssveit offers a variety of services in accommodation, food, and entertainment, based on years of experience and knowledge of the area.
Mývatn is the fourth largest lake in Iceland, covering 36.5 square kilometers, or approximately 14 square miles. It is situated at 277 meters (908 feet) above sea level, very indented and with more than 40 small islands. Mývatn derives its name from the often annoying gnat, which is divided into two kinds, of which one has a habit of biting people. Gnats provide a large part of the diet of various birds as well as trout. Mývatn is famous for its bird life, and is home to more species of ducks than any other place on earth. The most compact habitation of harlequin ducks in the world is at the upper reaches of Laxá, and the barrow’s goldeneye duck breeds in no other place in Europe.
Skútustaðahreppur is Iceland’s highest altitude borough and one of the most far reaching at 4,926 square kilometers, or 1,903 square miles. Its boundaries to the east follow the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum from its source down to the spectacular falls Dettifoss. To the north, the boundary runs from Dettifoss past Mt. Elífur and on to the west north of Gæsafjöll ( Goose Mountains). To the west, Skútustaðahreppur’s boundaries run through Hólasandur and through the heaths between Mývatnssveit, Reykjadalur Valley and Bárðardalur Valley, and finally up to Vatnajökull glacier to the south. Reykjahlíð has a small densely populated area, with a respectable number of inhabitants also at Skútustaðir, although not an actual township.
Eyjafjordur is the longest fjord in Iceland, located in the north part of the country. In many ways, Eyjafjörður has its own special character. It is surrounded by high, spectacular mountains, most of which exceed a height of 1.000 meters, providing many well-sheltered spot for farms and hayfields. One of the most special characteristics of Iceland is the midnight sun and Eyjafjordur is one of the best place to see it.
There is no disputing the fact that Eyjafjörður is blessed with better weather than most other Icelandic regions, as is clearly shown by its fertile vegetation and strong agricultural presence. The uniqueness of the Eyjafjörður district consists, for example, in a relatively dense pattern of population by Icelandic standards, so that all service is close at hand, and yet the calm and quiet of the wilderness is within easy reach. There one finds nothing to interrupt, except the singing of birds and bubbling of mountain brooks. This may be regarded as Eyjafjörður's chief advantage from the traveller's point of view. It offers first class service with numerous opportunities for recreation, but right around the corner there are serene valleys and solitary spots where untouched Icelandic nature displays its fairest hues. Wherever we may find ourselves in the Eyjafjörður district, we are in close proximity to Icelandic culture and unbroken history that goes back many centuries to the very time when the first settlers made their homes in Iceland more than eleven hundred years ago.
The Arctic circle
Only about 60 km from Akureyri town, the Artctic Circle passes the island of Grimsey. An island that is a must to see, with only about 100 inhabitants. This is a small fisherman island.
The Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis
On a bright starry night, any time from the onset of autumn darkness until the light nights of spring, we may be lucky enough to witness one of nature's most spectacular displays; the phenomenon which we call the The Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis.
In many people's opinion, Dettifoss is the most spectacular waterfall in Iceland. With a height of 45 metres and an average water flow to the volume of 200 cubic metres per second, it is the most forceful waterfall in the country and, as a matter of fact, in the whole of Europe. Dettifoss also has an impressive power to attract tourists from far and wide. The waterfall is only 135 km from Akureyri, so a visit from the capital of North Iceland makes an ideal day outing.
Godafoss Waterfall
This waterfall is among the finest in the country, not very high but impressive in shape as it divides into two horseshoe-shaped falls. Not far below the waterfall, the river Skjálfandafljót splits into two branches which flow around the island Hrútey. The lava field by the waterfall, Bárðardalshraun, flowed out of the volcano Trölladyngja, north of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, more than 7,000 years ago and reached as far as 100 km from the crater. Goðafoss is about 40 km east of Akureyri.
Dumping the gods in a waterfall
One of the chieftains present at Þingvellir in the year 1000 was Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði (Lord of Ljósavatn). He was eventually given the authority to decide which religion was to be adopted by the Icelanders. He was a pagan himself, but after a period of profound thought, he decided that Christianity was to be the religion of Iceland. Upon his return home, he took the likenesses of the pagan gods he used to worship and dumped them unceremoniously into a waterfall near his homestead. From this time, the waterfall has been named Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods). Nowadays, tourists usually make a break in their journey at this spectacular spot.
Day trips from Akureyri to Mývatn, the unique pearl of nature, enjoy immense popularity. The distance to the Mývatn District is about 90 km east of Akureyri. Mývatn is famous for its abundant bird life; it is in fact thought to sustain more species of duck than any other location on earth. The surroundings are truly magnificent, formed as they are by the violent process of volcanic activity which is still ongoing. The latest eruption occurred about 15 years ago and the bubbling clay pits and sulphuric fumes wafting over the area strongly remind the admiring tourist of the titan forces surging beneath his feet. The results of these forces being unleashed can be clearly seen in the lava formations which have been forged into towers, castles and caves, resembling a fantastic giant's playground. The area is world famous and one of Iceland's most popular tourist resorts.
The Arctic and Antarctic Circles are lines drawn on maps near latitude 66.5°, north or south. The particular significance of these circles is that they delimit the areas on earth where the sun remains in the sky for 24 hours in summer. And conversely,where the sun entirely disappears for 24 hours or more in the wintertime. In the vicinity of the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, therefore, one can expect to find the true territories of the Midnight Sun. Sunshine at midnight can be enjoyed in many parts of northern Iceland during summer, for the Arctic Circle narrowly misses the country’s northernmost points and lies right across the island of Grímsey, north of Iceland. Visiting Grímsey and thereby crossing the Arctic Circle is something many people want to do. All who come to the island are provided with a document confirming the fact that they have actually travelled north of the Arctic Circle and the precise location of the circle itself is marked by a signpost indicating distances to some of the world’s main cities.
Svarfaðardalur - Árskógsströnd -Hjalteyri
Near Dalvík a sizeable valley extends from Eyjafjörður into the highland. This valley is Svarfaðardalur, 20-25 km in length. About 10 km from the sea, Svarfaðardalur divides, yielding as its offspring the valley of Skíðadalur to the east, at the very head of which rests the cool ice mass of Gljúfurárjökull Glacier in a spectacular setting.
The Svarfaðardalur countryside is dotted with prosperous looking farmsteads and fertile hayfields, but we must resist the temptation to prolong our stay, for we must move on along the shoreline from Dalvík. Soon we arrive at Árskógsströnd with its two fishing villages in close proximity to each other, Árskógssandur and Hauganes. Farther along the fjord is Hjalteyri with its world famous research program in the field of halibut aquaculture.
Davíð Stefánsson
Möðruvellir in Hörgárdalur
This area is rich in historical connotations and our next stop, the farm of Möðruvellir, is one of the most famous locations relating to Icelandic history. For centuries, this was a manor farm, situated in the midst of some of Eyjafjörður's most fertile farmlands. In 1296 a monastery of the Augustinian order was established at Möðruvellir, and, according to some sources, the monastery contained one of Iceland's most remarkable mediaeval libraries. In spite of these cultural associations, the monks' conduct apparently was not always exemplary as they were prone to bickering and infighting. Möðruvellir also used to be the location of a well-known school which was destroyed in a fire in 1902. It has been said that fire has wrought more havoc at Möðruvellir than anywhere else in Iceland.
Remarkable reminders of the past
To the south of the spot where river Hörgá joins the sea, we come to a place frequently referred to in old tales and annals. This is Gásir which used to be, for five centuries, the main harbour and trading post in Eyjafjörður. By 1400, however, it is thought that deposits from Hörgá river had spoiled the harbour to such an extent that it was no longer navigable and all commercial activities had to be transferred to Akureyri. Needless to say, the location at Gásir contains remarkable remnants of its past days of glory.
Öxnadalur
At the head of Öxnadalur valley the traveller cannot fail to notice a magnificent peak rising from the mountain range. For a long time it was believed to be completely inaccessible and, according to ancient folklore, a chest filled with gold rested upon its top. About the middle of this century the peak was finally ascended, but the climbers unfortunately did not reap their golden reward as no chest was found. Directly below the peak is the farm Hraun, closely connected with one of the nation's most dearly beloved poets of all times, Jónas Hallgrímsson. Recently his memorial was erected in a grove near the road.
Independence hero, scientist and poet
District of Eyjafjarðarsveit
The district inland from Akureyri, south of the head of the fjord is named Eyjafjarðarsveit. The valleys of Eyjafjarðarsveit are surrounded by impressive mountains that attract hikers and mountain climbers. The view from the valley ridges is magnificent at many sites, especially from Hólafjall and, in particular, Kerling, which at 1536 metres above sea level, is one of the country´s highest mountains. In the adjoining valleys, the landscape is often ruggedly enchanting: huge ravines with near-vertical slopes and peaceful small lakes.
This is fertile farming country with a population of about 1.000.
Two population centres, or country villages, are located in the district, at Hrafnagil and at Kristnes, the farm founded by the Viking settler Helgi the Lean . At Hrafnagil you will find Íslandsbærinn (a representation of a typical Icelandic turf farm of the better kind) and Jólagarðurinn ( Christmas Garden), both of which are lovely and attract many visitors.
Íslandsbærinn is a traditional manorial estate with four wooden panel walls and a turf walled exterior. Inside there is a large banquet room decorated in the traditional rustic fashion with seating space for 70 persons. A buffet that is a true gourmet´s delight emphasises Icelandic food and drink. Íslandsbærinn offers an excellent opportunity to establish a temporary connection with the culture of the past and the history of the Icelandic people amidst modern conveniences.
In Jólagarðurinn, Christmas in celebrated throughout the year. The house itself is quite curious and resembles a cookie house. Inside, the fire glows and crackles snugly in the fire place. Christmas melodies and aroma fill the air. All kinds of Christmas items are sold there, for example pieces of Icelandic Christmas handicraft, that are a rare sight indeed in the middle of summer. There is the ever-present The Icelandic "laufabrauð" in the shape of wafer-thin, circular pieces of pastry, carved with intricate decorative patterns as well as cookies, nuts and raisins - Christmas itself in the most comprehensive meaning of the word. The garden around the house is decorated with lights that are seen to their best advantage during the darkest season of the year. Benches and tables are provided, making this an outstanding spot for having a box lunch or enjoying the tranquillity of the evening.
There are many other interesting places in the valley of Eyjafjordur. Grund is a historic site and the impressive church there dates from the beginning of the century. Many important historical figures have lived at Grund such as Þórunn, daughter of Jón Arason, the last Catholic bishop of Iceland who was executed with the sanction of Danish authority. Þórunn reputedly avenged her father´s death by murdering Danes. Near the highway, in the piece of land belonging to Grund, there is a lovely wooded area named Grundarreitur. This is believed to be the second oldest woodland area in Iceland, and it is a popular place visited by many travellers.
At Munkaþverá there is an old church, built in 1844, and there is also a memorial dedicated to Jón Arason, who attended the monastery and did his studies there. Munkaþverá is a highly important historical site that once was the home of such famous heroes of saga literature as Einar Þveræingur, Víga-Glúmur, Bergur Sokkason and it is believed to be the burial place of Sighvatur Sturluson and his sons who died in the battle at Örlygsstaðir.
Saurbær is the site of an attractive little turf church, built in 1858. This is now a protected building, along with the adjacent old-style churchyard gate dating from 1781. The church contains relics such as a 15th century carved alabaster altarpiece. Yet another 19th century church is situated at Hólar which is also the site of the most remarkable turf farm that still stands in Iceland. At the farm there is a spacious hall that is believed to date from the 17th century. The farm can be visited with the permission of the occupants and the same applies to the churches at these manorial farms of ancient fame.
There are several geothermal areas, for example at Laugaland, which yields most of the hot water piped into Akureyri homes for keeping warm in winter. This district has its share of historic spots and there is certainly a lot to see and study. There is a road leading from the end of the valley up into the highland but the terrain is rough, and it can only be traversed in the summer by suitably equipped vehicles.
The southernmost parts of Eyjafjörður lie outside the circle route around Iceland but travellers in the northern regions of Iceland should take the time to visit this flourishing region with lush farmsteads and green mountain pastures.
The Northwest. The boundaries of this area are drawn between the centre line of bays Hrutafiord and the Siglufjordur. This area is a relatively densely populated agricultural region with a few hamlets and villages. The landscape is varied with differently large mountain ranges dividing the lowland areas.
The Northeast. The boundaries of this area are drawn between the towns Siglufjordur and Thorshofn. The western part of the Northeast is more densely populated than the sparsely populated eastern part. Road #1 passes through it. Recreational activities on offer are quite interesting and varied Driftwood has played an important role all around this otherwise woodless country ever since it was settled. The northern coastline is “white” with driftwood from Siberia.
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