Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5
Northwest Iceland
Compared with the neighbouring West Fjords, the scenery of Northwest
Iceland is much gentler and less forbidding - undulating meadows dotted
with isolated barns and farmhouses are the norm here, rather than twisting
fjords, though there are still plenty of impressive mountains to provide a
satisfying backdrop to the whole coastline. However, what makes this
section of the country stand out is the location of two of Iceland's great
historical sites, most notably Þingeyrar, once the location for an ancient
assembly and monastery where some of Iceland's most outstanding pieces
of medieval literature were compiled.
As the Ringroad heads northeast from Þingeyrar on its way to Akureyri, the best
place to break the long journey is likeable
Sauðárkrókur
, enlivened by stunning sea
views out over Skagafjörður
and
Drangey
island, once home to saga hero
Grettir
,
who bathed here in the nearby natural hot pool now named after him. Just half an
hour's drive away is the north's second great historical site,
Hólar í Hjaltadal
, which
functioned as the ecumenical and educational centre of the north of the country
between the twelfth century and the Reformation. A further detour up Route 76, via
the Vesturfarasetrið (Icelandic Emigration Centre) at
Hofsós
, brings you to the pretty
fishing village of
Siglufjörður
.
Slicing deep into the coastline of this part of northern Iceland,
Eyjajörður
is the
country's longest fjord and was for centuries
Akureyri
's window on the world as ships
sailed its length to deliver their goods to the largest market in northern Iceland. Today,
though, fisheries have taken over as the town's economic mainstay, profiting from the
rich fishing grounds found offshore. With a population of fifteen thousand making it
the largest town outside the Reykjavík area, not only does Akureyri boast a stunning
setting at the head of Eyjafjörður, but it's also blessed with some of the warmest and
most stable weather anywhere in the country.
Though the sleepy villages of
Dalvík
, with ferry connections across to Hrísey, and
Ólafsfjörður
both make excellent day-trips once you've exhausted Akureyri, it's more
fun to head out to the beautiful island of
Grímsey
, where the cliffs and skies are alive
with around sixty different species of screeching birds, many of which consider you an
unwelcome intruder.
GETTING AROUND NORTHWEST ICELAND
By bus
Buses between Reykjavík and Akureyri run through
the region year-round along the Ringroad; if you're arriving
from the West Fjords, you'll need to change buses at Bifröst.
There are also local bus routes from the Ringroad town of
Varmahlíð to Sauðárkrókur, and from there to Siglufjörður
(June-Aug only), as well as from Akureyri northwest to
Dalvík and Ólafsfjörður (year-round).
By car
You can also enter the Northwest direct from
Gullfoss in southwestern Iceland along the Kjölur route
through the Interior, which lands you on the Ringroad
around halfway between Brú and Akureyri. This summer-
only road is open to conventional cars (with extreme care)
and is covered by daily buses; see p.310 for more about the
route.
Vatnsdalshólar
p.217
Drangey and Grettir the Strong
p.222
Siglufjörður's silver of the sea
p.225
Hiking around Siglufjörður
p.226
KEA
p.228
Hiking from Dalvík to Hólar
p.235
Hrísey's birdlife
p.237
Hiking from Grenivík to Gjögur
p.240
Anyone for chess?
p.242
