Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
AROUND AKUREYRI
If you have time and wheels, it's well worth getting off the Ring Road to explore the region
around Akureyri's fjord, Eyjafjörður.
Eyjafjarðarsveit
is the valley south of Akureyri, accessed by Rtes 821 and 829. The Ey-
jafjarðará river runs through fertile farmland - there is plenty of rural guesthouse accom-
1-9pm daily mid-Jun-Aug) is a perfect pitstop - here you sit above a high-tech working dairy
cowshed, dining on beef goulash soup, plus waffles and pancakes that pair perfectly with
farm-fresh cream. The cafe is about 11km from Akureyri on Rte 829.
Eyjafjörður's
eastern shore
is much quieter than its western counterpart, and offers a
few good places to pause among the sweeping vistas.
child Ikr1000/free; 10am-5pm mid-May-Aug), 12km from Akureyri on Rte 1 (look for the
sculpture of a blue man), is a beautiful space filled with sunlight, plantlife and an intriguing
array of art (in Icelandic, its name literally means 'the museum museum').
Further north, Rte 83 branches off the Ring Road to lead you 20km north to the tiny fish-
ing village of
Grenivík
. En route are the photogenic turf roofs at
Laufás
(adult/child Ikr1000/
free; 9am-5pm Jun-Aug), a preserved manor farm; and the acclaimed stables of
Pólar He-
star
( 463 3179;
www.polarhestar.is
), where you can arrange short rides or saddle up for ser-
ious weeklong journeys into dreamy landscapes.
week in high season (minimum two nights from September to May; book online) and en-
joying creature comforts and view-blessed hot-pots.
Akureyri to Mývatn (Goðafoss)
Travellers heading from Akureyri to Mývatn (or Akureyri to Húsavík if you take a small de-
tour) will happen across heavenly waterfall Goðafoss.
Sights
Goðafoss
WATERFALL
