Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE SÚÐAVÍK AVALANCHE
Spend any time in Súðavík and you'll soon spot that its houses are grouped into two distinct
areas. The majority are located in the south of the village, but a handful remain in the northern
half, closest to Ísafjörður. In January 1995, this tight-knit community was hit by tragedy when
an
avalanche
engulfed the northern part of the village, roaring down from the precipitous
slopes of Súðavíkurhlíð, the steep mountain that rears up behind Súðavík, and leaving
fourteen people dead. Since then, all new buildings are constructed in the southern part of
the village, away from the avalanche risk, while those in the northern half are uninhabited
during the winter months. Beside the main road, close to the entrance to the village from
Ísafjörður, a stone monument has been raised in memory of those who lost their lives.
through extensive research carried out into their behaviour patterns, in part in
Hornstrandir. Displays tackle everything from trapping to breeding but to gain a real
understanding of the animals make sure you see the fifty-minute National Geographic
film shown upstairs, which tracks the Arctic fox through Iceland's changing seasons.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
SÚÐAVÍK
By bus
Between June and August the Hólmavík-Ísafjörður
bus calls at Súðavík on Tues, Fri & Sun, from where it runs
on to Ísafjörður airport, handy if you're also using the plane.
Times are at
W
bsi.is.
EATING AND DRINKING
Amma Habbý
Aðalgata 1
T
456 5060.
Named after one
of Súðavík's best-loved inhabitants
,
Grandmother
Habbý,
this roadside café above the harbour serves burgers
(1490kr), chicken salad (1790kr), whale steak (2990kr) and
a succulent fish of the day (1790kr).
May to early Sept
Mon-Thurs & Sun 11am-8pm, Fri & Sat 11am-3am.
Malrakkasetur Íslands
Eyrardalur 4
T
456 4922.
The café inside the Arctic Fox Centre is a real treat,
serving up wicked home-made cakes and snacks. The
low-ceilinged, creaking wooden house in which it's set is
a joy to behold, dating from 1893.
June-Aug daily
10am-10pm.
4
Reykjanes
As Route 61 leaves Súðavík it passes the remains of the
Norwegian whaling station
that
provided employment for the village in the early 1900s. The next 150km are
remarkable only for their dullness - this section is one of the most infuriating in the
West Fjords, as you twist around a horde of little fjords that line the foot of
Steingrímsfjarðarheiði, repeatedly driving up to 50km, only to make two or three
kilometres of actual headway. A bridge across the mouth of the penultimate fjord,
Mjóifjörður, thankfully means one less fjord to negotiate, and leads to the tiny
settlement of
REYKJANES
. Set on a geothermal area located on a spit of land at the
mouth of Ísafjörður fjord, and looking out onto the open waters of Ísafjarðardjúp, it
makes a handy stopover if you want to break the long journey to Ísafjörður.
ACCOMMODATION
REYKJANES
Hótel Reykjanes
T
456 4844,
W
rnes.is.
Virtually the
only building in Reykjanes, this fjordside hotel has modern
and clean double rooms, each with a washbasin. It also
provides sleeping-bag dorms and has a campsit
e. There'
s
also a
natural
ly heated
outdoor
pool. Camping
2100kr
;
dorms
4000kr
; doubles
12,000kr
Heydalur
Mjóifjöður
T
456 4824,
W
heydalur.is.
This
horse farm near the head of Mjóifjörður rents out
comfortable double rooms in a converted barn and
cowshed, and also has camping pitches with electricity,
toilets and shower
s. Kayak
rental an
d horserid
ing are also
available. Camping
1000kr
; doubles
12,700kr
Kaldalón glacial lagoon
Past Reykjanes, another 15km along Route 61 brings you to a bridge over the
Bæjardalsá river, from where it's a straightforward 70km run east to Hólmavík
