Link : http://www.visitnortheasticeland.is
Northeast Iceland
Our site covers the area from Víkurskarð pass in the west to Bakkaflói bay in the east, and spans the entire area from the northeast coastline south to Vatnajökull glacier. The active forces of ice and fire, which are still shaping the landscape, have created countless pearls of nature in endless contrast and variety. We invite you to explore everything the region has to offer and hope to entice you to pay us a visit to experience for yourself the diverse attractions of Northeast Iceland.
LOCAL PEARLS AND ATTRACTIONS
Northeast Iceland offers numerous widely known and magnificent pearls of nature which have attracted travellers from all corners of the world. The area is also rich with lesser known gems and places of interest.
RAUÐINÚPUR
Red CapeRauðinúpur is a cape stretching into the sea out of the northwest corner of Melrakkaslétta plain. Protruding 73 metres out of the surrounding plain, Rauðinúpur serves as a landmark for seafarers and affords those who ascend it great panoramic view.
Volcanic Origin
The cape is actually a volcano dating back to the ice age as can be seen from rocky crater bowl within. Its distinctive red colour stems from red lapilli infused with the rock face, hence the name Rauðinúpur which means Red Cape. The richness of the colour is further enhanced on summer nights by the midnight which is magnificent from Melrakkaslétta.
Rich Birdlife
Rauðinúpur lighthouse
The lighthouse was built in 1958. In the background are the two
seastacks.
Rauðinúpur is reached by taking the road to Núpskatla farm, off road 85. Consideration must be shown to the birdlife while driving to the farm.
From Núpskatla the walk takes you along the rocky shore, up a rather steep slope to the lighthouse and onwards along a path to the crater. At the tip of the cliff are two sea stacks, one of which hosts a gannet colony. The walk takes about 45 minutes each way.
The cape and its surrounding area is rich with birdlife and and visitors are urged to watch their step and show consideration to the wildlife, even while driving up to the farm.
Service Directory
RAUÐANES POINT
Great hiking trail
Rauðanes Point in Þistilfjörður district is a beautiful and unique nature pearl. A marked trail, 7 km long, circles Rauðanes. Bringing a bottle with water for the hike is advisable, as no freshwater is accessible on along the way. The trail leads you to bizarre rock formations, natural arches, caves and secluded beaches. This small and scenic headland is edged by steep cliffs, full of nesting birds, caves and offshore sea stacks.
Seastacks and stone bridges
Háabjarg is a 60 meters high cliff, where you can see how the rock layers have piled up over the centuries.
Amongst the cliffs fortifying Rauðanes point, you can see Lundastapar which are made of very beautiful basalt. Until a few years ago, Lundastapar had quite a big puffin colony but the mink has almost uprooted it.
Gluggur is a stone bridge which was formed when part of the roof of a cave, hollowed out by the surf, collapsed leaving only the bridge of stone standing.
Gatastakkur Volcanic Arch
Not far away is a small beach called Flæðifjara, from where you have a great view over Gatastakkur. Centuries ago, volcanic eruption pressed a small flow of lava into a crack in the existing soil. With time, the forces of nature have eroded the surrounding soil, leaving only the lava sculpture behind.
Sailor cave and sociable Puffins
On the next beach, Stakkabásar, there is a small cave called Hannesarhellir. The name Hannes is carved on the wall inside the cave. Word has it, that in the last years of the nineteenth century, two sailors found shelter there in a violent storm. One of them carved his name and his partner’s initials on the wall, with his pocket knife.
Off the north shore of Rauðanes are Stakkar, two big pillars of rock rising out of the sea. A puffin bode can be found in Stakkatorfa. Puffins (Fratercula Arctica) belong to the auk family (Alcidae) and are very sociable. They also enliven their environment with their colourful bills.
Service directory
SKÁLAR AT LANGANES
A ghost town on Langanes
Skálar
Here stood a thriving fishing village in the early 20th century.
Langanes is a 40 km long peninsula stretching into the ocean from Iceland’s Northeast corner. In addition to being an enchanting nature pearl with teemin birdlife, Langanes is a virtual outdoor museum holding fascinating remains of a time gone by.
Before the turn of the 20th century almost the entire peninsula was populated with farms but now only a couple of farms east of Þórshöfn are in residence. A trip to the outlying peninsula is an adventure as you pass remnants of ancient farms and more recently deserted buildings like Skoruvík. Each house or ruin holds a story of man’s survival and adaption to his environment in a changing world.
On the peninsula’s eastern shore, almost at the tip, is the deserted village of Skálar. Here, seemingly at the edge of the world, stood a thriving fishing village in the early 20th century, although short lived.
Skálar before the 20th century
Habitation in Skálar dates back to early settlement. Its residents based their livelihood on utilizing the land for sheep farming as well as the abundant fishing grounds just off shore. These fishing grounds were also frequented by foreign fishing vessels and some trade was conducted by row boats.
In the last decades of the 19th century, Faero Islanders fishing off Langanes started seeking facilities on land to process their catch. They would catch herring for bait but had problems storing it. This led to a profitable business for farmers in Langanes, as they would harvest ice during the winter, store it in dug in turf-houses and sell them to the fisheries during the summer. In return they got salt, currency, various merchandise and later liver from which oil was made and sold at a good profit.
Birth of a village
By the turn of the 20th century there was apparently considerable fishing from Skálar, bringing drawing lots of people there during the summer. In the summer of 1910, a man by the name Þorsteinn Jónsson came to Skálar with a boat, fishing gear and three men. He did so well during the summer that he negotiated with the farmer at Skálar about land for his fishing operation. The next summer he returned with more men and boats as well as building material. His operation grew and he managed to open a licensed trade in Skálar in 1912.
Three families counting 19 people stayed in Skálar that winter. Fishing and trading operation continued to flourish during the next decade and the registered population of Skálar grew to its height of 117 residents in 1924. That number would double during the summers.
Rise of Skálar
What made Skálar attractive for fishermen was the proximity to the fishing grounds. The downside was the absense of a harbor and poor landing. It was a streight narrow beach open to the ocean and sitting undr a steep bank with difficult to access. In 1923 a pier was built, extending from the bank onto the beach. A crane at its tip would then haul fish and merchandise in and out of the boats. That same year a mechanical freezing plant was built in Skálar, the second of its kind in Iceland.
In 1929 attempts were finally made to improve the landing by building a 60 m long breakwater to protect the beach against the surf. It turned out to be too low and the turbulant winter surf broke over it compiling rocks there and spoiling the old landing.
Decline
Premises for a fishing village in Skálar deteriorated drastically in the thirties. Engine powered boats were rapidly replacing the row boats making harbor conditions more important but proximity to the fishing grounds less so. Transportation was always a problem in Skálar. In addition there was a decline in the catch and the depression brougth the prices down.
Fishing operations gave up and by the end of the thirties only a few lone fishermen remained with their families, a total of 47 people.
Death of a village
World War Two brought a sudden burst of activity to Skálar in its final days, with a radar station just above the village and a camp of soldiers. Along with it came work for residents and some entertainment as the soldiers operated a cinema among other things. Along with it came also the equipment that would finally put an end to habitation in Skálar.
Naval mine layers were set off the east fjords and frequently mines would break off and drift away. Three such mines exploded on the beach in Skálar around 1942 destroying three houses. The last 25 residents of Skálar village left in the autumn of 1946.
Service directory
HÚSAVÍK
Húsavík has in recent years become increasingly popular as a destination for both foreign and native visitors. There are several reasons why visitors flock to Húsavík. It is the largest town and centre of commerce and services in Þingeyjarsýsla county of Northeast Iceland. It is a clean and tidy town in an attractive natural setting and offers all basic services in addition to a variety of recreational opportunities.
Local attractions
The town of Húsavík sits below Húsavíkurfjall mountain on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi bay. Just above the town is lake Botnsvatn, a popular place for outings. The lake is just the right size for a nice hike around it. The lakes surroundings are rich in vegetation and bird life and trout is said to be abundant, though small. No permit or fee is necessary so feel free to bring a fishing rod and try for a small trout.
A small stream runs from the lakes and down through part of the town. Alongside the river is a beautiful little park. Several trees have been planted there in past years and a nice walking path runs through it. At its lower side is a small dam with a bridge running across it and above it is a cosy little duck pond.
Húsavík harbourHúsavík harbour lies below the bank right in the heart of town. The harbour once boasted a large fishing fleet, bustling with the activity of fishermen. It still serves as a fishing harbour but today’s activity revolves more around the successful whale watching businesses. The first organized whale watching excursions in Iceland started from here in 1995. Since then, whale watching has become a major attraction and Húsavík continues to be the leading destination for whale watching. In addition to the tours, a fascinating whale museum is located right by the harbour.
Recreation
Up on the bank above the harbour runs the main street with a variety of shops and services. There, in town centre stands the church of Húsavík which many consider one of Iceland’s most beautiful churches. It was built with great ambition in 1907, then large enough to seat the entire congregation.
Up the street from the church, towards the mountain, you will find the Museum building in Húsavík which is well worth a visit. Within its walls you will find the regional folk museum, maritime museum, museum of natural history, district archives, photo and film archives and the library. Húsavík also hosts another unique museum, The Icelandic Phallological Museum which has roused the curiosity of people around the world.
AccommodationHúsavík offers all necessary services to guests. In addition to shops and restaurants you will find a hotel and guesthouses. At the northern end of town is a nice campground with recently improved facilities. Beside the campgrounds are the sports fields and across the street from them is a nice swimming pool.
Up on the hill Húsavíkurhöfði at the northern end of town a test borehole was drilled several years ago in search of geothermal water. The water proved to have a unique mineral content and was led into an old cheese trough which was set up next to the borehole and has been used by locals for health baths with good results for years. Water from this borehole is now piped into the swimming pool.
Proximity to major attractions
In addition to the various recreational options in town, Húsavík is conveniently located for day trips to most of the major attractions in the Norhteast Iceland region. Driving south from town, Goðafoss is only a 30 minute drive and the Mývatn area about 45 minutes. Driving north around the Tjörnes peninsula Ásbyrgi in Vatnajökull National park is also about a 45 minute drive. One option is to take the Diamond Circle route, starting out from Húsavík heading to Mývatn area, then down to Dettifoss waterfall and Ásbyrgi and from there back to Húsavík. It is quite an extensive drive and the duration depends on the number of attractions visited along the way, but for those who are pressed for time, it can be fit into a long day.
Service Directory
ÁSBYRGI
Ásbyrgi is undoubtedly one of Icelands most beloved nature pearls. It is an enclosed canyon in Kelduhverfi district west of river Jökulsá á Fjöllum. The enclosure is about 3.5 km long and 1.1 km wide, surrounded by cliffs which reach as high as 100 m. Extending from its opening and rising into the centre is 250 m wide cliff, called the Island, which ends in a tall narrow edge resembling a ship’s stern.
The mythical hoof print
According to legend, the horse of Óðinn, the chief god of Norse mythology, stepped down here leaving its giant hoof print. That was the vernacular explanation in earlier centuries of this magnificent horseshoeshaped canyon. Latter day scholars, however, have offered some different theories on how Ásbyrgi was formed. Most likely, Ásbyrgi was formed in two catastrophic floods in Jökulsá river, the first about 8-10 thousand years ago and the second around 3 thousand years ago.
Evidence of such floods can be seen all along the river all the way up to Vatnajökull glacier and signs of a riverbed leading to Ásbyrgi from the canyon are clearly evident by Kvíar, indicating floods running straight across the heath, carving out the great canyon now called Ásbyrgi.
National Park
Ásbyrgi became part of Jökulsárgljúfur National Park in 1978 and is now part of Vatnajökull National Park which was founded in 2008.
Entering Ásbyrgi from the sandflats of Jökulsá river delta is like entering a new world, a hidden paradise. Within the steep surrounding walls, Ásbyrgi is richly vegetated with brush and trees. Birch is the dominating species but rowan and several other species can also be found. The birch forest is protected by law and in the care of the Iceland Forest Service.
Ásbyrgi information and visitor Centre
An old barn, standin at the entrance to Ásbyrgi has been completely renovated to house Gljúfrastofa visitor centre. Inside you will find facilities and information about the National Park as well as an exhibition which informs you about the nature and history of Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. The exhibition is designed in an imaginative way to evoke interest among visitors of all ages. Browsing through this interesting exhibition and picking up the various tidbits of information before exploring the park can greatly enhance the value of your visit.
Services and activities
Ásbyrgi has a campground and good facilities and services for visitors. They offer bathing and washing facilities, RV accommodation, playground and more. Several marked walking trails run through Ásbyrgi and all along the canyon. Everyone should be able to find a suitable walk, whether you just want a short stroll inside Ásbyrgi or are enclined to a two day hike up to Dettifoss waterfall.
During summer park rangers offer guided tours and various other activities in addition to information. For those who choose to venture out on their own, the trails are well marked and in many places little signs provide information along the way. Maps and information brochures are also available.
Ásbyrgi is unforgettableAt the extreme inner end of Ásbyrgi, sitting under the tall cliffs is a small pond rich with birdlife and surround by multifarious vegetation. A wooden platform has been built on the edge of the pond where visitors can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this nature gem. Another platform has been built up in the rocky slopes west of the pond from where you can enjoy a beutiful view of the pond and the whole enclosure.
Ásbyrgi has attracted people from all over the world and is also frequented and much beloved by the local population. Whether you choose to camp there or just visit for a day, you are not likely to forget this nature pearl in Northeast Iceland.
Service Directory
DETTIFOSS WATERFALL
Awesome force
Dettifoss is Iceland’s greatest and most majestic waterfall. It is also rated as Europe’s most powerful waterfall, based on its magnitude. Dettifoss is 45 metres in height and 100 metres wide and its force is such that the bedrock trembles when hit by the weight of an immense column of white-foaming water. The average flow is 193 cubic metres per second but during floods it reaches up to 600 m3/s.
Dettifoss is in the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, which emerges from beneath Vatnajökull glacier and runs into Öxarfjörður bay. It is part of Vatnajökull National Park. Dettifoss is the centre fall in a unique series of waterfalls; about one km up river is Selfoss, and two km down river is Hafragilsfoss.
Dettifoss cuts the river at an angle so the scenic experience is quite different depending on which side the waterfall is viewed from.
The east bank of Dettifoss
On the east side of Jökulsá river, road 864 runs between road 85 in Öxarfjörður region and main road 1 in the Mývatn area. Despite being a gravel road, it has usually been better than the road on the on the west side, so this is where most visitors come to Dettifoss.
A turn-off leads to a parking lot from were it is a 10 minute walk. The path leading from the parking lot is a fairly steep and rocky so utmost care should be taken. Down on the flat riverbank there are marked paths and a viewing platform.
The view from here is particularly beautiful in the early part of the day when the sun shining from behind lights the spray aglow in all the colours of the rainbow.
A marked trail leads from Dettifoss up to Selfoss which is also well worth seeing. While only 10m high, it is very wide. The hike back and forth takes about one hour.
From the parking lot, there is also a marked trail along the river bank down to Hafragilsfoss, although most people opt to drive down to the parking lot by Hafragilsfoss. While the fall itself is quite smaller than Dettifoss, its surrounding is magnificent for here the canyon is truly grand.
The area of Dettifoss, Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss on the east side of the river was declared a national monument in 1996.
The west bank of Dettifoss
Road F862 runs between road 85 and road 1 on the west side of Jökulsá river. Between road 85 and Dettifoss it is a gravel road, but between Dettifoss and Road 1 it is more of a mountain track and conditions can vary greatly. A new road is under construction, scheduled to be completed in 2010.
From the parking lot on the west side of the Jökulsá, there is a 15 minute walk through a desert like terrain of sand and rock to Dettifoss. This makes the view all the more breathtaking when you come to the ridge where Dettifoss appears in all its glory. Below the ridge is a bright green dell called Fosshvammur, where grass and moss are constantly watered by the spray. The path down gets very slippery when wet so care must be taken.
Standing in Fosshvammur, you are at level with the top of Dettifoss and face to face with its awesome power. It is an experience that leaves no one untouched.
From Dettifoss, you can take the marked trail up to Selfoss and from there on back to the parking lot. The circle from the parking lot to Dettifoss and Selfoss and back is about 2.5 km and takes approximately one hour.
Service directory
VAGLASKÓGUR FOREST
A great place for camping
Vaglaskógur forest is located in Fnjóskadalur, the westernmost valley in Þingeyjarsveit district of Northeast Iceland. The valley is green and fertile with extensive woodlands.
Vaglaskógur forest boasts some of the tallest and most beautiful birch trees in Iceland and is among the most popular forests in Iceland. Every year thousands of guests enjoy a stay in the forest which is ideal for outings. Vaglaskógur has well organized camp sites and recreational areas. Guests come from far and near, and some even camp for the entire summer.
Points of interest
Sevaral marked walking trails provide various options for exercise and sight seeing. Among points of interest is the tree collection above the tree nursery and Arnþórslundur grove. A short walk from the grove are some old ruins with beautifully laid turf walls.
Iceland’s longest spring fed river, Fnjóská runs through the valley alongside Vaglaskógur forest. It is considered among the most beautiful fishing rivers in Iceland. Crossing the river at the northern perimeter of the forest is an old stone arch bridge, built in 1908. It was the first of its kind in Iceland and the longest stone arch bridge in Scandinavia at the time.
Located centrally in the forest is a service and information centre with a small convenience store which is open during summertime. Directly across from it is a bridge crossing the river.
Iceland’s largest continuous forest
Vaglaskógur is one part of the largest continuous forest in Iceland which covers most of the eastern valley side south of Ljósavantsskarð pass. Extending north from it is Hálsskógur forest and to the south are Lundsskógur, Þórðarstaðaskógur and Belgsár- and Bakkaselsskógur forests. The different names are due to the land they belong to, but they are in fact one continuous forest.
Conservation and forestry work
The two northernmost forests, Vaglaskógur and Hálsskógur lie within a forest conservation fence which spans about 690 hectares. Conservation of the forest dates back to 1905 and Vaglar has been the residence of a forestry ranger ever since 1909. No birch forest in Iceland has been the subject of strategic conservation as long as Vaglaskógur and the results of this conservation work is evident as you walk through the forest. The birch trees in Vaglaskógur have a distinctive character. The trunk is notably light in colour and they grow straighter and taller than most other birches in Iceland. The Vaglar birch can reach well over 10 metres and the higest birch presently in the forest is about 14 metres tall.
Utilization
There is a long history of forest utilization in Vaglaskógur which is not common in Iceland. Charcoal pits found in Vaglaskógur and Hálsskógur, are evidence of charcoal production from birch which was used for smelting iron and a large heap of slag found in Þórðarstaðaskógur suggests extensive iron production.
Today, there is seed production at Vaglar, an experimental tree nursery. Plants and Christmas trees are sold here and there is also some wood processing. The birch is a popular craft material was much used for making kitchen utensils as it does not splinter nor give of flavorur. It also serves well to burn in fireplaces and wood stoves and birch kindling is used for smoking foods.
Service Directory
GOÐAFOSS
Roadside Nature Pearl
Goðafoss is in located in river Skjálfandafljót which runs through Bárðardalur and Kinn in Northeast Iceland, and is just off main ring road 1 by the farm Fosshóll. It is among Iceland’s larger waterfalls and also very beautiful.
Skjálfandafljót runs across a lava field which is approximately 7000 years old. Through the ages the river has dug about 3 km up through the lava field a canyon which just below the falls is about 100m wide. Rocky promontories in the horseshoe shaped edge of the falls divide it into two main falls and a few smaller one, depending on the flow.
Waterfall of the Gods
Goðafoss is closely connected with one of the most important event in Icelandic history, the conversion to Christianity from heathendom or “the old custom” in the year 1000.
At that time Þorgeir Þorkelsson, chieftain from nearby Ljósavatn was lawspeaker in Iceland. As such he was faced with the task of settling the growing disputes between Christians and those who worshipped the old Nordic gods. Despite being a heathen priest himself, he decided that all of Iceland should be Christian, as is famously recorded in the Sagas.
Legend has it that, once he returned back to Ljósavatn from this historic Alþingi, he dispensed of his heathen gods by throwing them into the falls in a symbolic act of the conversion. This, according to the legend, is how Goðafoss got its name.
Þorgeirskirkja Church and Fosshóll
In the year 2000 a church was built by nearby lake Ljósavatn commemorating the 1000 year anniversary of Christianity in Iceland and named after chieftain Þorgeir. The church is open to visitors during the summer.
At Fosshóll close to Goðafoss is a small service center with a store, gas station and other services.
Service Directory
DIMMUBORGIR (DARK CASTLES)
Access and services
The Mývatn region is a world of adventure and natural wonders. Among places of particular interest are Dimmuborgir (Dark Castles), volcanic rock formations to the east of the lake. The area is characterised by numerous forms of mystery and imagination, carved in lava. The road to Dimmuborgir is by Geiteyjarströnd farm, 8 km south of village Reykjahlíð. A service centre with bathroom facilities store and a restaurant is located in the parking lot overlooking this magnificent nature pearl.
Geology
The Mývatn area is right on the boundaries between the American and the Eurasian tectonic plates which are drifting apart, causing the high volcanic activity in the area. Dimmuborgir were created in about 2300 years ago the violent throes of an extensive volcanic eruption. Tremendous volume of lava flowed from a 12 km long fissure south of Hverfjall (Hverfell) and ran through Laxárdalur and Aðaldalur valleys all the way down to sea in Skjálfandi bay.
Geologists believe that during this eruption something blocked the flow of lava causing the formation of a lake of lava. As the lava in the lake had started to solidify the blockage gave way and the molten lava flowed out leaving behind the parts which had solidified. These unique conditions created geological formations which have not been found above water anywhere else in the world.
Walking routes
There are a number of well marked walking trails in Dimmuborgir of different lenths and level of difficulty, so everyone should find one that suits their need. The Little Circle walk takes only 15-20 minutes and the Big Circle about half an hour. Krókastígur, the Crooked Path, is a little more demanding walk which takes about 40 minutes. The Church Path, leads to the best known formation in Dimmuborgir which is a cave open at both ends with a high dome-shaped roof, appropriately named the Church.
In recent years, there has been concern about the landscape and flora of Dimmuborgir being threatened by build up of sand due to erosion east of Mývatn. In order to combat this, soil conservation is ongoing. The erosion and the soil conservation are clearly evident from the Mellandahringur trail which extends from the Church Path and takes an additional half hour.
The Icelandic Yule Lads
Dimmuborgir are an enchanting area to explore on a nice summer day. Visiting Dimmuborgir at Christmas time, however, is truly magical. The landscape takes on a different look in its winter garb and that is the time when the Icelandic Yule Lads who reside in Dimmuborgir become active. Visiting them in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience children of all ages.
Service Directory
37.979180
23.716647
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Nafngiftir á hinni nýju leið og breyttum Djúpvegi hafa nokkuð verið til umræðu, jafnt innan Vegagerðarinnar sem utan og eru ekki allir á einu máli, svo sem vænta má.
Nýi vegurinn í heild má segja að sé Djúpvegur (61) um Gautsdal, Þröskulda og Arnkötludal og væri þá mögulegt að nota viðeigandi örnefni eftir því hvaða hluta vegarins átt er við hverju sinni.
MÖÐRUDALSÖRÆFI SÉÐ TIL NORÐVESTURS
