MYVATN
Myvatn lies in the northeast of Iceland on the western
edge of the volcanic active zone that runs across the
country from southwest to northeast. Mývatn is 37 square kilometers in area and 278 m above sea level.
The lake is shallow with about 50 small islands.
The vegetation in the Mývatn area and along the
river Laxá is luxuriant and varied. Mývatn gets its name
from the multitude of midges that thrive on the rich supply of nutrients in the lake. Mývatn is one of the best
fishing lakes in Iceland and the bird life in the Mývatn
area is world-famous.

ASBYRGI
Asbyrgi certainly is one of nature’s wonders.
It is a 3½ km long canyon with up to 100 m high
walls occupied by fulmars during the breeding season.
It is the northernmost part of the National Park
Jokulsargljufur under the management
of the Forestry Service.

The well vegetated area between the canyon walls
is a very popular recreation area, especially among
families and local festivals are celebrated there.
In its middle is a freestanding and precipitous rock
called "The Island". The canyon is partly wooded, mainly
with birch, willow, larch and fur. It was created by two
catastrophic flood waves from the icecap Vatnajokull
far in the south, the first one about 8-10 thousand
and the second about 3000 years ago.

Siglufjordur (population 1800) is a good starting place
for several hiking routes. I hiked the route Kálfsdalur - Nesdalur - Siglunes (10-14 hrs. or 2x6 hrs.) in late June 2003 and took these photos while doing so. This is a beautiful area which not so many people visit.

Here is a brief description of 7 different
hiking trails crossing the mountains and valleys
of the Siglufjördur area:

The pass Siglufjardarskard (5-7 hrs.)
Skollaskál and the eastern part of Siglufjördur (5-7 hrs.)
Skarddalur - Hafnarfjall - Hvanneyrarskál (5-7 hrs.)
Dalaskard - Úlfsdalir (3-6 hrs.)
Kálfsdalur - Nesdalur - Siglunes (10-14 hrs)
To Hédinsfjördur via Hestskard (10-14 hrs)
To Hvanndalir (10-12 hrs.)

Hiking Siglufjordur-Hedinsfjordur-Hvanndalir-Olafsfjordur
 ( Informations obtained from www.Siglo.is )
There are two routes walkers can follow to Hedinsfjordur from Siglufjordur, the pass Holsskard (620 m)
 leading eastward from Holsdalsbotn,
and Hestskard, east from Skutudalur.
Although Hestskard pass (590 m) is steep and quite difficult to travel,
it is also the shortest route to Hedinsfjordur and the one most people
follow even today. The journey can be expected to last 5-6 hours.

Hedinsfjordur is somewhat shorter than Siglufjordur (measured from the innermost
coastal ridge).
A large lake named for the same fjord, some 2.5 km in length, is located
just beyond the top of the coastal ridge.

At the beginning of 20th century there were some 50 people living in Hedinsfjordur on five farms:
 the most northerly was Vik, then Vatnsendi,
 Grundarkot, Modruvellir and Ama.

There is heavy snowfall
here most winters and through the centuries avalanches have threatened human settlement in the area.

The last residents of Hedinsfjordur moved away in 1951.
There is now an emergency shelter in Vik.
People are attracted here each summer by the trout fishing and berry picking.
 Hedinsfjordur is certainly a fine sight on a fair
summer day and the unique view of this deserted fjord leaves no one unmoved.

A number of routes can be chosen to leave Hedinsfjordur.
The routes to Siglufjordur have already been mentioned.
There are three mountain routes to choose from to reach Olafsfjordur,
all of them ascending to around 600 m above sea level or higher: through Vikurdalur,
through Rauduskord (570 m) and down through Ardalur; across Modruvallaskal
(690 m), then the so-called Fossabrekkur down through Sydriardalur; and,
finally, across Modruvallahals (650 m) near the inner end of Hedinsfjordur
and down through Skeggjabrekkudalur. From this route one can walk across the
pass Sandskard towards Fljot.

There is also the route which as many people as possible should elect
to follow if they have any way of doing so: the sea route.
This is a very pleasant sail in good weather, especially if the boat passes
close under the mountains Hestur or Hvanndalabjarg.

Thordarhofdi ( Þórðarhöfði )
I highly recommend hiking around Thordarhofdi. To hike around it will take around 4-5 hours. From Thordarhofdi you will have an excellent view towards Drangey and Malmey.
Thordarhofdi looks like an island but is attached
to the mainland by two thin gravel banks which surround
the lake Hofdavatn, near Hofsos. The cape is a former
volcano with a crater at the top. Thordarhofdi rises
202 meters from the sea and the view from the cape is magnificent.
There are a number of pleasant walks around the point
but beware not to disturb the elves and the hidden people who live there.
Three tuff rocks are said to be their alter, shop and house.

Hrisey - the Pearl of Eyjafjordur
Hrisey lies in the outward reaches of Eyjafjordur
and is the second largest island in Iceland, coming after Heimaey. It also comes second to Heimaey in its number of inhabitants.

On Hrisey there are three mapped walking routes all of which
are easily traversed and everyone should be able to find
something to suit themselves.Along the way, signs have
been posted giving information on various points of
interest regarding wildlife, plants and geology
besides touching on the history of the island.

The Icelandic Emigration Center at Hofsos, a non-profit organization, is a highly recomended place to visit.
Across the bridge by the harbour are two imposing buildings devoted to the memory of the Icelandic emigrants and their descendants.

Grimsey an independent administrative borough, is the islandnearest to Iceland, and the Arctic Circle runs straight through it. The island is 5.3 km² in size and lies about 70 km from the coast. It is only possible to approach Grimsey from the south. The island is covered with vegetation, and at its highest point reaches 105 m above sea-level.

There are many places of interest in northwest Iceland. This sparsely populated part of Iceland covers three districts and one eighth of the country in terms of square kilometers, but the population is only about ten thousand. The landscape varies enormously: mountains, fields, lakes, rivers, marshes, and lava fields.

Recommended hiking in this area would be, to hike between Siglufjordur and Olafsfjordur, via Heðinsfjordur. 

Hiking the Maelifell 1140meters is a pleasant 4 hours walk.

Ólafsfjordur village.
In the vicinity of Olafsfjordur are some excellent backcountry areas. For spring skiing a recommended day tour would be to ski from Olafsfjordur to Hedinsfjordur and back to Olafsfjordur. Also possible pending on weather and snow conditions would be to ski from Olafsfjordur south of Hedinsfjordur and follow the mountain ridge to the town of Siglufjordur. To do these trips on skis would require full equipments such as skins, ice ax and crampons. This route called "Botnaleid " is also highly recommended in the summer.
As a place to stay in Olafsfjordur I can recommend Brimnes Hotel and Cabins, a friendly place with a very nice staff.

We recommend staying at the farm HOF but they have excellent
accommodation for a reasonable price. Hof is in Vatnsdalur where there are some interesting hiking as well as horseback riding and trout fishing.
Hof is situated in the north west of Iceland in a valley called Vatnsdalur.
When you come and visit us we are about 240 km north from Reykjavik.
You follow road nr1 to Akureyri. Vatnsdalur´s road is nr 722, this is a circelroad.
The shortest way to our farm is to take the second road nr. 722, over the bridge.
The farm is approx. 16 km from the mainroad.

North Iceland.
Information on travel possibilities, recreation and entertainment,
and whatever you need to prepare your trip through North Iceland.

 Book Your Travel in Iceland as well as
accommodation
day tours hotels guesthouses.

Siglufjordur in August 2004


Siglufjordur as seen from the mountain Holshyrna.


A view towards Siglufjordur as seen fron Siglunes.


From Hedinsfjordur north Iceland.


From Hedinsfjordur north Iceland.


A view towards Latrastrond.


From Lake Myvatn.


From Lake Myvatn.


Icelandic Horses.


Icelandic Horses.


Siglufjordur in May 2002


A view from Maelifell mountain over Skagafjordur


The Icelandic Emigration Center at Hofsos


From Hofsos village

Mountain Tindastoll in Skagafjordur.