Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GONE BERSERK
According to Eyrbyggja Saga,long ago a farmer from Hraun grew weary of having to walk
around the jagged lava flows to visit his brother at the farm in Bjarnarhöfn. Returning
from a voyage to Norway, he brought back two berserkers - insanely violent fighters who
were employed as hired thugs in Viking times - to work on his farm, but to his dismay one
of the berserkers took a liking to his daughter. He turned to the local chieftain, Snorri
Goði, for advice, but Snorri had his eye on the farmer's daughter as well and he recom-
mended setting the berserker an impossible task. The farmer decided to promise the
amorous berserker his daughter's hand in marriage if he was able to clear a passage
through the troublesome lava field - surely impossible.
To the shock and horror of both Snorri and the farmer, the two berserkers quickly set to
work and managed to rip a passage straight through the treacherous moonscape. Rather
than honouring his promise, the farmer trapped the berserkers in a sauna and murdered
them, allowing Snorri to marry his daughter.
Today, a path through the
Berserkjahraun
can still be seen, and a grave was discovered
containing the remains of two large men.
Tours
Seatours
BOAT TOUR
May-mid-Sep, 9am-5pm mid-Sep-mid-May)
Various boat tours, including much-touted 'Viking Sushi', a 1½-hour/2¼-hour boat ride
(Ikr5250/7090) taking in islands, bird colonies (puffins until August), and basalt forma-
tions. A net brings up shellfish to devour raw. Also offers dinner cruises, and runs the Bal-
dur Ferry to Flatey. Partners with Reykjavík Excursions for Reykjavík pick up. On-site
shop and cafe.
Iceland Ocean Tours
BOAT TOUR, BIRDWATCHING
cycle hire per day Ikr3000; Apr-Sep)
