Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
are marked. A good route is trail 9, beginning from the parking area on Vatnsskarð pass,
then loop back along trail 8 (marked on the
Víknaslóðir
map). The 15km trip takes just
over five hours.
Njarðvíkurskriður
A habitual site of accidents in ancient times, Njarðvíkurskriður is a dangerous scree slope
on Rte 94 near Njarðvík. All the tragedies were blamed on a nuisance creature (half-man,
half-beast), Naddi, who dwelt in a sea-level cave beneath the slope.
In the early 1300s, Naddi was exorcised by the proper religious authorities, and in 1306
a cross was erected on the site bearing the inscription
Effigiem Christi qui transis pronus
honora, Anno MCCCVI - '
You who are hurrying past, honour the image of Christ - AD
1306'. The idea was that travellers would repeat a prayer when passing the danger zone
and therefore be protected from malevolent powers. The cross has been replaced several
times since, but the current one still bears the original inscription.
Seyðisfjörður
Pop 650
If you visit only one town in the Eastfjords, this should be it. Made up of multicoloured
wooden houses and surrounded by snowcapped mountains and cascading waterfalls, ob-
scenely picturesque Seyðisfjörður is the most historically and architecturally interesting
town in east Iceland. It's also a friendly place with a community of artists, musicians and
craftspeople.
Summer is the liveliest time to visit, particularly when the Smyril Line's ferry
Norröna
sails majestically up the 17km-long fjord to the town - a perfect way to arrive in Iceland.
If the weather's good, the scenic Rte 93 drive from Egilsstaðir is a delight, climbing to a
high pass then descending along the waterfall-filled river Fjarðará.
History
Seyðisfjörður started as a trading centre in 1848, but its later wealth came from the 'silver
of the sea' - herring. Its long, sheltering fjord gave it an advantage over other fishing vil-
lages, and it grew into the largest and most prosperous town in east Iceland. Most of the
