Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
HRÍSEY
Iceland's second-largest offshore island (after Heimaey) is the peaceful, low-lying Hrísey
(population 166), easily reached from the mainland. Thrust out into the middle of Ey-
jafjörður, the island enjoys spectacular panoramas and is especially noted as a breeding
ground and protected area for ptarmigan, as well as being home to an enormous colony
of Arctic terns.
There's a small
information office
( 695 0077; 1-5pm Jun-Aug) inside Hús Hákarla-
Jörundur, a small museum (admission Ikr500) on shark-fishing beside the church in the
picturesque village where the boat docks. You can pick up the handy Hrísey brochure
here or in Akureyri, or check out two competing websites:
www.hrisey.net
and
www.visithrisey.is
. The latter outlines some houses for rent on the island.
Incredibly tame ptarmigan frequent the village streets. From here, three marked
nature
trails
loop around the southeastern part of the island and lead to some good viewpoints.
Not to be missed are the tons-of-fun 40-minute
tractor trips
( 695 0077;adult/child
Ikr1200/free), which plough across the island, passing all the important landmarks. They
leave regularly from the boat dock, generally at 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm daily in sum-
mer.
While a leisurely half-day is enough to explore the island, consider staying overnight for
without bathroom from Ikr9000/12,000; mid-May-mid-Sep), Hrísey's one-stop shop for food
and accommodation. It serves the usual suspects (burgers, pizzas) alongside treats like
lobster soup and locally reared Galloway steak.
There's a
campground
(per person Ikr1100) with its reception and amenities at the mod-
ern swimming-pool complex. The village store
Júllabúð
( 10am-5pm Mon-Thu, to 8pm Fri,
noon-5pm Sat & Sun Jun-Aug, shorter hours Sep-May) sells supplies, and pizzas.
The passenger ferry
Sævar
( 695 5544; adult/child Ikr1500/750) runs between Ár-
skógssandur and Hrísey (15 minutes) at least seven times daily year-round; see
www.hrisey.net
for schedules. Bus 78 from Akureyri stops at Litli Árskógur, which is about
a 20-minute walk to the ferry harbour.
adult/child Ikr1230/free) runs from Dalvík to Hrísey at 1.15pm (30 minutes), returning im-
mediately after passengers and cargo are discharged and loaded.
