Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Stykkishólmur to Grundarfjörður
The scenic stretch between Stykkishólmur and Grundarfjörður is filled with myth and
mystique, from spiritual mountains to saga-storied lava fields, with the bright water just
offshore.
Helgafell
MOUNTAIN
About 5km south of Stykkishólmur, the holy mountain Helgafell (73m) was once vener-
ated by worshippers of the god Þór. Although quite small, the mountain was so sacred in
Saga times that elderly Icelanders would seek it out near the time of their death. Today,
locals believe that wishes are granted to those who climb the mount.
In the late 10th century, Snorri Goði, a prominent Þor worshipper, converted to Chris-
tianity and built a church at the top of the hill; its ruins still remain. The nearby farm of the
same name was where the conniving Guðrun Ósvífursdóttir of
Laxdæla Saga
lived out her
later years in isolation. Her grave marks the base of the mount.
Berserkjahraun
LAVA FIELD
About 15km west of the intersection of Rte 54 and Rte 56 lies the dramatic, spiky lava
field at Berserkjahraun (Berserkers' lava field). Crowned by looming mountains, this lunar
landscape gets its name from
Eyrbyggja Saga
(
Click here
)
.
Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum
MUSEUM
duced hours Sep-May)
The farmstead at Bjarnarhöfn is the region's leading producer of
hákarl
(fermented shark
meat), a traditional Icelandic dish. The museum has exhibits on the history of this culinary
curiosity, along with the family's fishing boats and processing tools. A video explains the
butchering and fermenting procedure: Greenland shark, which is used to make
hákarl
, is
poisonous if eaten fresh. Fermentation neutralises the toxin. NB: Greenland shark is classi-
fied near threatened.
Find the museum off Rte 54 on the fjord-side, northeastern edge of Berserkjahraun.
