Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Langanes
Shaped like a goose with a very large head, foggy Langanes is one of the loneliest corners
of Iceland. The peninsula's flat terrain, cushioned by mossy meadows and studded with
crumbling remains, is an excellent place to break in your hiking shoes.
Rte 869 ends only 17km along the 50km peninsula, and although it's possible to contin-
ue along the track to the tip at Fontur lighthouse in a 4WD vehicle, parts of the road can be
difficult to navigate.
Before exploring the region, base yourself at the excellent
Ytra Lón HI Hostel
( 846
6448;
www.hostel.is/ytralon
;
hostel dm/d without bathroom Ikr4300/11,200, apt d from Ikr15,900)
,
14km northeast of Þórshöfn and just off Rte 869. It's part of a working sheep farm run by a
welcoming Dutch-Icelandic family. The hostel rooms are clean and bright, and there's a
comfy common area and hot-pot. Fabulous studio apartments, each with bathroom and kit-
chenette, are housed in cargo containers and lined up under a greenhouse-style roof.
Breakfast is available for Ikr1600; HI members get Ikr700 discount per person on hostel
accommodation. Prices generally don't include linen, which can be hired (Ikr1250). (Note
that at the time of writing, the future of the apartments was in doubt, so it pays to do some
pretrip research.)
If you don't have your own vehicle, you can phone ahead to Ytra Lón and the owners
will pick you up in Þórshöfn (for a fee).
