North Iceland

Akureyri a good base for exploring the North Iceland

Akureyri is a good base for exploring many of Iceland’s most beautiful natural wonders such as waterfalls, volcanic areas and canyons as well as exciting activities as river rafting, hiking, fishing, whale watching and horse riding.

North Iceland is an expansive, enchanting region, where you can find all of Iceland’s attractive aspects: culture and a flourishing society, endless opportunities for entertainment and outdoor recreation, picturesque nature in all directions, and more natural sights than almost anywhere else. Spring, when the sun melts the snow and the land takes on the green of summer, is a time of renewal, travel and being outdoors. Some people go walking, swimming or golfing, while others choose fishing, hunting, riding horses, or adventurous trips on the sea, lakes or rivers. All around, something is offered to suit everyone, such as trips to other towns, out to islands, or into the highlands to view mountains, hot springs, waterfalls, glacial rivers, volcanic craters, extraordinary landscape and other geological features. Highland trips are experiences never to be forgotten. The season of autumn brings its marvelous colors, while winter has its own charm, as winter sports take over, the northern lights dance in the cold sky, and the darkness itself provides inspiration and spiritual uplifting.

Walking and the Mountains

North Iceland has numerous age-old trails, of which many have in recent years been mapped. The landscape, length and difficulty varies, so that the possibilities are endless. In Hunavatn county, walking routes lie both along the sea and into the mountains. At Skagastrond there is a marked path onto the mountain of Spakonufell. For a romantic walk, try going onto the island of Hrutey in the glacial river Blanda, then following the river to its mouth. Skagafjordur offers pleasant routes into Austurdalur valley and onto the peaks of Maelifellshnjukur, Tindastoll and Glodafeykir, in addition to marked trails through the mountainous terrain between the counties of Skagafjordur and Hunavatn. Passing rugged higher ground, spectacular routes connect Siglufjordur, Hedinsfjordur, Olafsfjordur and Dalvik. Just beside Akureyri, the Kjarni woods are known as an outdoor paradise, and trips into Fjordur are incomparable. Anyone would feel challenged by the paths at Jokulsargljufur, while Langanes has attractions few walkers today have ever seen.

Culture

Many of the best-known Icelandic sagas occurred and were even written down in North Iceland. Holar, home to one of the country’s oldest rock churches, was for seven centuries the seat of one of Iceland’s two bishops and thereby one of the country’s two educational centres. Today, archaeologists are investigating remains at many sites in the North to cast more light on the region’s remarkable history. In every area, there are old buildings, churches and museums connecting the present with the past; in fact, Iceland’s oldest wooden building, Hillebrandtshusid, is at Blonduos. Just a few of the region’s most significant museums are Glaumbaer in Skagafjordur, the Folk Museum at Grenjadarstadur, Akureyri Museum and the Akureyri Arts Centre, which includes the internationally renowned Akureyri Art Museum. Newer museums that have already attracted special attention are the Icelandic Emigration Centre at Hofsos, the Herring Era Museum at Siglufjordur, the Textile Museum at Blonduos, and the Whale Museum at Husavik, to name but a few. Come to North Iceland and feel the breath of its history and culture.

Natural pools, Springs and Swimming

After a demanding hike or other healthy activity in the nature of the North, there is nothing better than relaxing in warm water and feeling the exhaustion flow out of your body. Geothermally-heated swimming pools are found in every town and even at many rural spots, with the major ones offering several swimming lanes, hot tubs of different temperatures, pool fountains and a sauna. On the other hand, small pools also have their individual charm and certainly renew one’s body and soul. In a few locations, the North Iceland environment has provided a truly natural bath, where the traveller can enjoy the water in the middle of expansive scenery, under the open sky. Examples of this are Hveravellir and, just north of Saudarkrokur, the seaside pool made of rock and associated with the saga hero Grettir. At Laugafell, near the glacier Hofsjokull, Akureyri Touring Club has constructed an outdoor pool. Nor are the Myvatn Nature Baths to be forgotten -- a must for relaxing in the comfort of steam, a hot tub or the warm lagoon itself.

Myvatn Nature Baths - Iceland´s newest geothermal spa

Containing a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal microorganisms, the warm, soothing waters of Myvatn Nature Baths are beneficial to skin and spirit alike, creating a sense of wellbeing which lingers on as a lasting memory of your visit to this spellbinding area at Europe´s outer limits.

Facilities on offer include a reception area and cafeteria, changing rooms and showers for up to 120 guests, three natural steam baths accommodating up to 50 bathers at a time, and a 5000m2 geothermal bathing pool maintained at a constant temperature of 38-40ºC.

Contact : Jardbodin vid Myvatn - Jardbadsholar - 660 Myvatn – Tel.: +354-464-4411 - Fax: +354-464-4422 -| info@jardbodin.is

Winter Recreation

With its numerous skiing areas, it is not surprising that North Iceland has been called the land of winter adventure. In addition to Akureyri’s Hlidarfjall, known throughout Iceland, there are first-class skiing areas at Saudarkrokur, Siglufjordur, Olafsfjordur, Dalvik and Husavik, as well as a short slope at Krafla. Snow scooters are rented out at a number of places, and trips on cross-country skis are offered for instance from Olafsfjordur to Hedinsfjordur. From Grenivik, skiers are taken up the mountain by a snow packer, while at Myvatn you can hire a snow scooter and cross-country skis or enjoy the sports options in the Arctic Garden on the lake ice. North Iceland’s skiing slopes provide fabulous views, not to mention the northern lights. What could be more enjoyable than spending Christmas and New Year refreshing oneself in the embrace of towering, snow-clad mountains? The nights become long and dark, so people take advantage of them through the thorrablot feasts of mid-winter.

Spring and Autumn

Springtime wakes nature from its winter sleep. Plants begin to grow and the meadows turn green, as salmon head up the rivers and birds migrate back to their North Iceland nesting grounds. Farmers watch over ewes giving birth and nursing their lambs, and fishermen fix up their boats. People feel brighter, get out their summer clothes and generally think of travel, whether it means a boat trip on the sea, a hike into the mountain range, or a tour on horseback. As the sheep return from the mountains, people gather at roundups to help the farmers sort them, with everyone singing and enjoying themselves the whole time. Another item on the season’s agenda is picking berries for jelly, jam or juice, or for the sheer pleasure of it. As winter draws on, cultural presentations are frequent, particularly a wide assortment of musical events.

Adventures

No matter which way you turn, unforgettable adventures are waiting right around the corner -- you just have to choose. By travelling along the coast, you will get to know life in the fishing villages and have opportunities for trips to islands off the North coast, for viewing nature or island life. Those who want still more excitement and speed can select glacier river rides on Skagafjordur’s Austari Jokulsa or Vestari Jokulsa, followed by relaxation in a hot tub with fellow travellers to talk about the day’s thrills. Raufarhofn offers kayak and canoe trips, while in the other direction the highlands beckon. Do not hesitate to answer their call, so as not to miss the grandeur of untouched nature stretching to the horizon: Iceland’s great highlands. One route passes through Blondudalur and crosses Kjolur to South Iceland, via the warm springs of Hveravellir, once home to an outlaw. Especially worth mentioning are the tours to Herdubreid, Askja and Hvannalindir. Trips to such jewels of the Icelandic highlands are sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Wildlife

The richly varied fauna of North Iceland, not to mention the flora, provides every nature lover with sights that please. Hindisvik on Vatnsnes is a major seal breeding ground, where the protected seals are so unusually tame that it is easy to observe them from land or a kayak. Skagi presents a large variety of birds, while farther to the east a good option is to combine island tours of Skagafjordur with birdwatching at Drangey and Malmey. In the same way, boat rides in Eyjafjordur combine conveniently with viewing the wildlife there. Multitudes of seabirds nesting in the cliffs make Hrisey and Grimsey their island homes. While Husavik has the Whale Museum and is the centre for whale watching from Icelandic shores, Dalvik also offers excellent whale-spotting excursions. There, the valley of Svarfadardalur is furthermore renowned for its varied birdlife. This can also be said of Myvatn; in fact, the world offers no better place for spotting ducks. Melrakkasletta is reputed to be the terrain of the Arctic fox, while Langanes parades one of Iceland’s main nesting sites for the gannet. Take time for an unstressed stop by the sea, where life and the breakers are endless.

Natural Treasures

North Iceland nature attracts people of all ages. In Hunafjordur, the rock arch of Hvitserkur towers just off shore; far to the south, Hveravellir adds colour to the highlands with one of the country’s largest geothermal fields. The islands of Malmey and Drangey exude folklore, while the people of Eyjafjordur boast of their magnificent mountains and prosperous farms. The two Thingey counties present nature that is so diverse and has so many sights, you would be hard put to find more natural masterpieces elsewhere. Take, for example, the waterfalls of Godafoss and Dettifoss, the latter Europe’s mightiest. Downstream from Dettifoss, explore Jokulsargljufur, one of the country’s most awe-inspiring canyons, and view the Hljodaklettar formations and Asbyrgi, shaped by the rushing waters of the Jokulsa. Far to the south, Askja epitomises calderas and volcanoes. Myvatn and its entire environs are world-famous for their beauty, including the wondrous cliffs of Dimmuborgir.