Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Iceland's premier downhill ski slope is west of town, 5km up Glerárdalur, with 24 pistes
covering all skill levels. The area has a vertical drop of 455m, with the longest trail over
2.5km. There's also 20km of cross-country ski routes.
The ski season usually runs between December and late April, with the best conditions
in February and March (Easter is particularly busy). In the long hours of winter darkness,
many of the downhill runs are floodlit.
There's ski and snowboard rental, two restaurants and a ski school. In season, buses
usually connect the site with Akureyri; check the website for details.
Mt Súlur
HIKING
A pleasant but demanding day hike leads up the Glerárdalur valley to the summit of Mt
Súlur (1213m). The trail begins on Súluvegur, a left turn off Þingvallastræti just before the
Glerá bridge. Give yourself at least six hours to complete the return journey.
Tours
Most tours can be booked online (where up-to-date offerings and prices are found); you
can also visit the information centre for assistance, or booking agents scattered around
town.
Note that some operators based outside Akureyri arrange transfers to their base, for a fee
(eg whale-watching tours north of Akureyri, white-water rafting in Varmahlíð).
Saga Travel
ADVENTURE TOURS
Offers a rich and diverse year-round program of excursions and activities throughout the
north - obvious destinations like Mývatn, Húsavík (for whale watching) and Askja in the
highlands, but also innovative tours along themes such as food or art and design. Check
out Saga's full program online, or drop by its office (open 7.30am to 10pm in summer).
Quirky 'midnight sun' tours depart at 10pm in June and take you to attractions like Detti-
foss and Mývatn in the quiet wee hours; winter tours are varied (snowmobiling, snowshoe-
ing, Northern Lights viewing - which is, of course, weather dependent). Private itineraries
can be arranged; guides are local and well connected. Tours have a maximum of 16 parti-
cipants.
