Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE GRÍMSEY TROLLS
According to legend, the island of Grímsey, off the coast of Drangsnes, was created by evil
trolls, now petrified into stone stacks. Intent on severing the Westfjords from the main-
land, the trolls decided to dig a trench right across the peninsula. They were so wrapped
up in the job that they failed to notice the rising sun. As the first rays broke over the hori-
zon, the two trolls at the trench's southern end were transformed into stones at
Kol-
lafjörður
(south of Hólmavík). The female troll on the north side nearly escaped, but as
she was turning to flee she realised that she had marooned her bull, Uxi, on Grímsey.
Suddenly the sunbeams struck - she was promptly turned to stone, gazing back at her
lost bull.
Drangsnes
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Across Steingrímsfjörður from Hólmavík, Drangsnes (pronounced
drowngs
-ness) is a re-
mote little village with views across to north Iceland and the small uninhabited island of
Grímsey
(one of several Grímsey islands in Iceland). On Drangsnes' waterfront, rocky
stack
Kerling
is believed to be the remains of a petrified
troll
.
Uxi
, her bull, is the forma-
tion out at sea near Grímsey.
A favourite Drangsnes attraction are its free, waterfront
geothermal hot-pots
built in-
to the sea wall along the main road. Eagle eyes will have to spot a small swimming sign
and white building with blue trim containing showers and WCs. Remember to do as
Icelanders do and shower completely before entering the hot-pots. There are three geomet-
ric Jacuzzis are directly across the street. There's also the town's swimming pool,
Drang-
snes Sundlaug
( 451 3201;
www.drangnes.is
;
Grundargata 15;adult/child Ikr600/free;
11am-6pm Jun-Aug, reduced hours Sep-May)
, with two sparkling hot-pots - handy when the
seaside weather is too tumultuous.
with/without bathroom Ikr18,000/12,000, apt from Ikr32,000; )
has a variety of accommod-
ation including a peaceful row of crisp pine cabins that feel thoroughly modern yet re-
markably cosy, plus apartments. Malarhorn runs three-hour
boat tours
of Grímsey
(Ikr7000) with its puffin-breeding ground. Malarhorn's cafe
Malarkaffi
(mains
