AROUND ICELAND – COMFORT, 10 days
- including Snæfellsnes peninsula and Reykjanes
peninsula

- starts in Reykjavík and ends in Njarðvík

This tour around Iceland brings you to all the main
attractions and highlights of the country. It includes the
Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland and the Reykjanes
peninsula in South West Iceland. Both are special
attractions to those who are fascinated by the effects of
volcanism. The famous Blue lagoon is situated on
Reykjanes. Around Iceland not only concentrates on
Icelandic nature, it also allows you to gain some insight
into Icelandic culture and history.
The tour starts in Njarðvík (Reykjanes) and goes around
the country against the clock, but of course, you can do it
the other way round as well. There is also the possibility to
start this tour from Egilsstaðir in East Iceland, for example
if you get to Iceland by ferry. Actually, since it is a circle
tour you can start it from any place along the ring road no.
1.

Tour disciption
Day 1:

Njarðvík → Laugarvatn

Sights: Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Krýsuvík,

Strandarkirkja, Hveragerði, Þingvellir
Day 2:

Laugarvatn → Skógar

Sights: Geysir, Gullfoss, Skálholt, Seljalandsfoss,

Skógafoss, Skógar folk museum
Day 3:

Skógar → Hvoll

Sólheimajökull, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara, Vík,

Eldhraun, Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Day 4:

Hvoll → Berunes

Núpsstaður, Skeiðarársandur, Skaftafell,

Jökulsárlón, Djúpivogur
Day 5:

Berunes → Húsey

Stöðvarfjörður, Egilsstaðir, Lögurinn,

Hallormsstaður, Valþjófsstaðir, Skríðuklaustur
Day 6:

Húsey → Berg

Jökuldalur, Möðrudalur, Mývatn area

Day 7:

Berg → Siglufjörður

Goðafoss, Akureyri, Dalvík , Siglufjörður

Day 8:

Siglufjörður → Ósar

Hólar, Glaumbær, Blönduós, Borgarvirki,

Hvítserkur

Day 9:

Ósar → Stykkishólmur/Grundarfjörður

Illugastaðir, Hvammstangi, Eiríksdalur,

Snæfellsnes
Day 10: Stykkishólmur/Grundarfjörður → Reykjavík

Snæfellsnes, Reykjavík

Day 1:

- from Njarðvík drive road no. 41 to the east, turn right
onto road no. 43 to get to the Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon
- one of the most famous and unique attractions in Iceland
- pool of pale blue warm water (38ºC), especially rich of
minerals
- situated in the middle of black lava fields, often it looks
very surreal, especially when fog swirls over the water
- The artificial lake was actually created by accident when
geothermal seawater was used to cool down the nearby
power station in the 1960s. The run-off water was meant
to sink into the ground, but at a point the lava would not
absorb any more water and a lake appeared. Experience
and research have proved that the water is very healthy
for several skin diseases and it is an unforgettable
experience to relax in the hot, salty water. A new Blue
lagoon was created and a modern service centre built
1998.
- restaurant, cafeteria, souvenir and cosmetic shops etc.
- walking path along the lake (500 m)

- for entrance fee and further information on the

Blue lagoon contact ph. [phone]

- continue on road no. 43

Grindavík
- small town, 2.300 inhabitants
- living on fishing, fish processing, recently reconstructed
harbor
- new church, school buildings
- very interesting museum on salt fish processing, salt fish
(cod) was one of the main trade Icelandic goods until
frozen fish products took over
- The motto of the museum „Lífið er saltfiskur“ (Life is salt
fish) is taken from a novel by Halldór Laxness, Salka
Valka.
- for further information on the Salt fish Museum contact
ph.+354-420-1190
- restaurants, bank, shops

- drive road no. 427 to the east, when you get to the
junction, turn left onto road no. 42

Krýsuvík (Seltún)
- Krýsuvík is actually the name of an abandoned farm and
a former church
- nowadays people use the name for the hot spring area
Seltún
- hot mud and steam springs
- stop at the parking lot and enjoy a walk on a path
- this landscape changes very much, new springs appear
at the surface, others „die“ or explode
- it depends on the weather, how much water there is on
the surface
- be very careful, this hot springs can be dangerous, stay
on the path
- facilities (during summer season)

- drive back to the junction, continue on road no. 42
driving east
- in Selvogur bay you can see the church Strandarkirkja
(to the right)

Strandarkirkja
- timber church from 1888
- it is the only remains of a former flourishing community
in this area
- during the Middle ages farms here where very rich, until
nature destroyed the farmland by lava flows and sand fogs
- many gifts are donated to the church, it is believed to
have special power
- monument, Landsýn, by Gunnfríður Jónsdóttir, shows an
angel that rescued seamen
- find the local guide to tell you the story
- seals are often seen here
- facilities

- drive back, continue on road no. 42 and road no. 38 to
Hveragerði

Hveragerði
- so called green house town, 1.700 inhabitants, situated
in a very active geothermal area, hot springs and steam
all around the town
- the geothermal power is used for heating homes,
greenhouses and swimming pools
- small geyser Grýta erupts several times daily (20
minutes walk from town centre)

- great swimming pool, walking paths and horse riding
possibilities
- tourist information
- in a former green house there is a cafeteria, souvenir
shop and an exhibition on Nordic Mythology, called
Iðuvellir

- drive road no. 1to the east
- before getting to Selfoss town, turn left onto road no. 35
- just after crossing the river Sog, turn left onto road no.
36

Þingvellir National Park
- most important place in Icelandic history
- national park since 1928
- situated on the banks of lake Þingvallavatn, the largest
lake in Iceland (84 km²)
- The historical Icelandic parliament (Alþingi) was founded
here in the year 930. It was the biggest annual event for
Icelandic farmers. They came together for two weeks
every summer to meet each other and to follow the
parliament sessions. At this site Icelanders voted to
become Christians in the year 1000.
- Þingvellir is a large lava field, situated right on the Mid-
Atlantic Ridge, where the European and North American
plates are moving apart.
- service station and tourist information during summer
- excellent multimedia-exhibition on geology, wild life and
history near the view point above the gorge Almannagjá
- many hiking trails, information spots

- from the National park service center drive back on road
no. 36, turn left onto road no. 365 (gravel road,
sometimes in very bad condition)

Laugarvatn
- lake with geothermal heat on the banks and the bottom
- When the Icelanders in the year 1000 voted to become
Christians many of them were baptized in the warm spring
at the bank of Laugarvatn (Vígðalaug).
- village with a number of schools, a College of Physical
Education, sport grounds, a natural steam bath and
greenhouses

- accommodation is recommended at Laugarvatn Hostel

- for further information on Laugarvatn Hostel, Dalsel,
840 Laugarvatn – ph.+354-4861215 / 8995409

(Distances: Njarðvík - Blue Lagoon 20 km, Blua Lagoon –
Grindavík 5 km, Grindavík – Krýsuvík 22 km, Krýsuvík –
Strandarkirkja 29 km, Strandarkirkja – Hveragerði 31 km,
Hveragerði – Þingvellir 45 km, Þingvellir – Laugarvatn 23
km; total: 175 km)


Day 2:

- from Laugarvatn drive road no. 37 and 35 to Geysir and
Gullfoss

Geysir
- hot spring area in the valley Haukadalur, named after
the famous hot spring Geysir
- eruptions of Geysir itself are unpredictable, but the hot
spring Strokkur erupts every 5 to 10 minutes
- restaurant, cafeteria and gas service station, souvenir
shop etc.
- interesting multi-media exhibition on the geology of this
area called Geysisstofa

- continue on road no. 35 to reach Gullfoss

Gullfoss
- famous and very impressive waterfall in the river Hvítá,
the name means Golden Waterfall
- The water falls into a gorge, which is 70 m deep. The
waterfall itself is 32 m high and 250 m wide, falling in two
cascades.
- exhibition on the nature reserve of river Hvítá situated
in an information center called Sigríðarstofa
- cafeteria, souvenir shop etc. just beside Sigríðarstofa
- parking recommended “upstairs” on the parking lot at
the service center

- drive back on road no. 35 passing Geysir, stay on road
no. 35 (turn left to do so)
- pass Reykholt, turn left onto road no. 31

Skálholt
- former most important religious and educational center,
bishopric founded 1056

- 1784 it was destroyed by an earthquake and the
bishopric was moved to Reykjavík
- Many historical events are connected to Skálholt, in 1550
the last catholic bishop of Iceland, Jón Arason, was
beheaded here, today there is a memorial stone in
memory of bishop Arason.
- interesting modern memorial church, built in the 1950’s
with a remarkable tapestry-like mosaic by artist Nína
Tryggvadóttir and fascinating stained-glass windows by
artist Gerður Helgadóttir
- ongoing archeological excavations
- cafeteria in the nearby school
- really worth a visit

- continue on road no. 31, at the junction turn right onto
road no. 30, drive to the south
- when you reach road no. 1, turn left, drive east on road
no. 1, pass Hella and Hvolsvöllur
- just after crossing the river Markarfljót, turn left onto
road no. 249, you can already see the waterfall

Seljalandsfoss
- very beautiful waterfall in the river Seljalandsá, 40 m
high, narrow but powerful waterfall
- sensational walk on a foot path behind the waterfall
- bird colonies, fulmars
- facilities

- drive back onto road no. 1, continue driving east

Skógar
- the name refers to two farms, a school and an open-air
museum, near the waterfall Skógafoss
- very interesting folk museum: a church replica, various
types of traditional stone and turf farm buildings and two
modern building for exhibitions
- countless artifacts of former everyday life in a farming
and fishing society, collected over more than 5 decades
- exhibition on history of transportation and infrastructure
in Iceland
- guided tours available, nice café, worth a prolonged stay
- for further information on Skógar folk museum contact
ph.+354-487-8845

Skógafoss
- one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, 60 m
high, walking path beside the waterfall to climb up the
mountain
- facilities

- accommodation is recommended at Skógar Hostel
- for further information on Skógar Hostel, Skógar,
861 Hvolsvöllur –ph.+354-487-8801/ [phone]

(Distances: Laugarvatn-Geysir-Gullfoss 39 km, Gullfoss-
Geysir-Skálholt 41 km, Skálholt-Seljalandsfoss 72 km,
Seljalandsfoss – Skógar 28 km; total: 180 km)


Day 3:

- continue on road no. 1, driving east
- only a few kilometers from Skógar you cross a glacier
river, just behind the bridge starts a gravel track to the
glacier tongue Sólheimajökull

Mýrdalsjökull
- fourth largest glacier in Iceland, 701 km², 1480 m high
- many glacier tongues jut out from the main glacier
- the active volcano Katla is under the Mýrdalsjökull
- last eruption of Katla was 1918, it usually erupts every
70 to 80 years
- eruptions of Katla cause destruction by floods of glacier
water

Sólheimajökull
- one of the glacier tongues that jut out of Mýrdalsjökull
- rather narrow, 8 km long glacier
- stop at the parking lot
- from the parking lot, it is a 15 minutes’ walk to the
glacier
- Be very careful! Do not climb the glacier; the melting ice
can break down every second! Do not walk into ice caves!
- mountain guides provide guided tours

- drive back and turn left onto road no. 1, continue to the
east
- to visit the bird cliff Dyrhólaey turn right onto road no.
218 (gravel road, difficult)

Dyrhólaey
- small peninsula with 120 high cliff and offshore stacks
with a good selection of breeding sea birds, including
puffins, gulls and fulmars
- cliffs rising over a long expanse of black sand
- all the cliffs, rocks etc. are a protected area, be careful
not to disturb the birds or damage the vegetation, during
early summer Dyrhólaey can be closed for protecting the
colony of eider ducks
- lighthouse build by a famous Icelandic architect (Guðjón
Samúelsson)
- no facilities

- drive back, turn right onto road no. 1
- just before the mountain Reynisfjall, turn right onto road
no. 215 to get to Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara
- very impressive black sand and pebbles beach at the foot
of the mountain Reynisfjall
- cliffs and caves with interesting basalt column formations
- nesting site of puffins and other seabirds
- great view of Dyrhólaey
- it is a very beautiful place, but please be careful, the
ocean is extremely dangerous here and rock falls have
occurred
- facilities

- drive back, turn right onto road no. 1

Vík
- small village in the picturesque landscape near the valley
Mýrdalur, 300 inhabitants
- southernmost village in Iceland
- restaurant, cafeteria, service station, wool factory,
handcrafts
- great view of the impressive cliffs “Reynisdrangar” (66 m
high, folktales say they are trolls that turned to stone at
first daylight)
- walking path on the mountain Reynisfjall, good
opportunity for bird watching

- continue on road no. 1

Eldhraun
- “fire lava”, lava flow from a row of craters called
Lakagígar, 75 km northwest from here
- this flow is the largest in the world, 565 km², caused by
eruptions in 1783-84
- these eruptions meant one of the most dangerous
catastrophes of nature to the Icelandic people, 20% of the
entire population died
- the lava is now covered by a thick layer of moss, when
you stop to watch around please be careful not to damage
the moss by stepping on it

Kirkjubæjarklaustur
- small village in a beautiful landscape
- Christian settlement all from the beginning of Icelandic
history
- from 12

th

to 16

th

century there was a convent, many

place names remind on it (for example sisters fall, sisters
lake etc.)
- church reminds on the rev. Jón Steingrímsson who is
believed to have stopped the lava flow of 1783 by his fire
sermon (eldmessa)
- all necessary service available, bank, post office,
supermarket, tourist information, fuel station, restaurants,
swimming pool

- leaving Kirkjubæjarklaustur on road no. 1 you can turn
left to see Kirkjugólf, follow the signs

Kirkjugólf
- “church floor”
- formation of basalt columns that looks like the floor of a
mediaeval church
- nice little walk

- turn back onto road no. 1, continue driving east

- accommodation is recommended at Hvoll Hostel
- for further information on Hvoll Hostel, Skaftárhreppur,
880 Klaustur –ph.+354-487-4785 / [phone]


(Distances: Skógar-Sólheimajökull 10 km, Sólheimajökull-
Dyrhólaey 23 km, Dyrhólaey-Reynisfjara 22 km,
Reynisfjara-Vík 8 km, Vík-Kirkjubæjarklaustur 71 km,
Kirkjubæjarklaustur-Hvoll 24 km; total: 158 km)

Day 4:

- continue on road no. 1

Núpsstaður
- farm from early 20

th

century, still inhabited (please be

polite not causing inconvenience)
- buildings (sheds, houses, stables) from different periods,
some of them turf buildings with grass roofs
- very nice and interesting small chapel, owned by the
National museum of Iceland, open to visitors
- enlisted on UNESCO, World Heritage:

Vatnajökull
- largest glacier in Iceland, 8.200 km², up to 900 m thick
- underneath the glacier is one of the most powerful
geothermal areas of the world and many active volcanoes
- there are many possibilities to stop and take photos of
the glaciers, be careful not to disturb the traffic
- the highest point of Iceland is Hvannadalshnúkur (2110
m) in the southern parts of Vatnajökull, called Öræfajökull

Skeiðarársandur
- largest black sand desert, formed by glacial rivers and
catastrophic glacial floods coming out from Skeiðarárjökull
glacier
- longest bridge in Iceland, 904 m (but in summer 2009
the river disappeared)
- ever changing breathtaking landscape of glaciers,
mountains, rivers, black sand and the ocean
- all the glacier tongues you are going to drive along for
the rest of the day are part of the biggest glacier in
Iceland and Europe, Vatnajökull
- in 1996 this bridge like several others was destroyed
after volcanic eruptions underneath the glacier, followed
by glacial floods, see the memorial after crossing the
Skeiðarár-bridge

- not far from the bridge, turn left to get to Skaftafell
National Park

Skaftafell National Park
- boundered by glaciers the Skaftafell National Park covers
1.700 km²
- it is an excellent area for hiking, there are several hiking
trails for long and short hikes, difficult and easy

- most famous is the hike to Svartifoss (the Black
Waterfall), a lovely waterfall surrounded by picturesque
basalt columns (1,5 hour), during the hike you also get a
great view over Skeiðarársandur and over to
Hvannadalshnúkur
- you can also walk to the glacier Skaftfellsjökull, get
information at the visitor centre
- interesting exhibitions, video on the volcanic eruption
and glacier flood in 1996
- cafeteria, souvenir shop, guided mountain and glacier
tours etc.

- get back on road no. 1, continue driving east

Breiðamerkurjökull and Jökulsárlón
- broad glacier tongue that once reached the ocean but
started to retreat during the early 20

th

century

- today between glacier and coast line there is a deep
glacial lagoon: Jökulsárlón
- here we have the lowest point of Iceland
- often the lagoon is covered by icebergs floating on the
water before melting down
- it is a must to stop at Jökulsárlón, take a walk, make
photos and last but not least make a guided boat trip on
the lagoon – a real highlight of your Iceland vacation, take
your time!
- guided tours, cafeteria, souvenir shop etc. at Jökulsárlón,
contact ph.+354-478-2122

- continue on road no. 1

Djúpivogur
- beautiful little village centered around the harbor, the
most southern of the East Fjords
- boat trips to the island Papey
- nice walks and bird watching possibilities, also an
exhibition on bird life in Iceland
- museum Langabúð, wooden warehouse building from the
18

th

century, nice café

- swimming pool, supermarket, bank etc.

- continue on road no. 1

Berufjörður
- very picturesque narrow but long fjord, no harbor or
fisher village but several farms
- accommodation is recommended at Berunes Hostel
- for further information on Berunes Hostel, Berufjörður,
765 Djúpivogur – ph.+354-478-8988 / [phone]

(Distances: Hvoll-Skaftafell 46 km, Skaftafell-Jökulsárlón
57 km, Jökulsárlón-Djúpivogur 173 km, Djúpivogur-
Berunes 40 km; total: 316 km)


Day 5:

- continue on road no. 1 and road no. 96

Stöðvarfjörður
- small fjord, former fisher village
- today famous for the “stone collection” of Petra
Steinsdóttir (Steinasafn)
- Steinasafn is an impressive private collection of stones.
Petra decided early in her youth to collect rocks from the
East Fjords, now these rocks have taken over the home
and very lovely garden owned by Petra – worth a visit,
have a chat with family members and enjoy the rocks and
things in house and garden

- drive into the beautiful fjord Fáskrúðsfjörður and through
the tunnel to Reyðarfjörður
- from Reyðarfjörður, drive road no. 92 to Egilsstaðir

Egilsstaðir
- after having crossed Fjarðarheiði you will probably find
better weather conditions here and see a very different
landscape with lowlands, rivers, woods and farmers land
- the town Egilsstaðir is the administrative centre of the
East Fjords
- modern small town, 1700 inhabitants
- schools of higher education, hospital etc.
- all necessary service, supermarket, fuel station,
swimming pool, folk museum, library etc.

- now you can choose whether you want to drive around
the lake Lögurinn or go directly to Húsey
(to get to Húsey, drive road no. 1 to the north and later
road no. 925 and 926)

- drive road no.1, along the lake, heading south, continue
on road no. 933

Lögurinn or Lagarfljót
- lake, 2 km wide and 24 km long, 53 m², only 20 m
above sea level but very deep with 111 m
- contains brown or grey glacial water
- a monster is believed to live in the lake, called
Lagarfljótsormurinn (the drake of Lagarfljót), the
descriptions are very similar to those of the monster of
Loch Ness
- largest woodlands of Iceland on the eastern banks of
Lagarfljót

Hallormsstaðarskógur
- most important forest in Iceland
- since the early 20

th

century the Icelandic Forrest

Commission made considerable effort to preserve
woodlands and plant new trees
- nice walking paths through the forests of Hallormsstaður
with labeled collection of trees
- also worth a visit is Atlavík, a small bay of Lagarfljót

- continue driving road no. 931 and 933, cross the lake
and turn left to get to Valþjófsstaðir

Valþjófsstaðir
- former manor farm, church and parsonage
- today there is a new church with a replica of the wooden
carved church door from medieval times, the original door
is now owned by the National Museum in Reykjavík

- turn back on road no. 931, heading north

Skríðuklaustur
- monastery during the middle ages until the16

th

century

- ongoing archeological excavation
- in the 1930s, the famous novelist Gunnar Gunnarsson
built his stone house here
- interesting exhibition on the life and work of Gunnar
Gunnarsson (1889-1975)
- guided tours with a lot of information on the novelist, the
house and the archeological excavations
- nice café with local dishes and cakes

- continue on road no. 931

Hengifoss
- very high (118 m) and beautiful waterfall partly to be
seen from the parking lot
- hiking to the waterfall takes about 2 hours, difficult path,
can be muddy and slippery, you need to wade through
several creeks
- the waterfall Litlanesfoss is further downstream, nicely
set in basalt columns

- continue on road no. 931 until you reach the small town
Fellabær
- turn left onto road no. 1, drive road no. 1 until you get to
the river Jökulsá á Dal

Jökulsá á Dal or Jökulsá á Brú
- once one of the biggest glacial rivers in Iceland, now
very much changed because of Kárahnjúkar power plant
- as all glacial rivers it carried a lot of sand, clay and
stones, 112 tons of this material flooded into the bay of
Héraðsflói every day, now it often is an almost clear fresh
water river
- 1994 a modern bridge was finished, “Jökulsábrú”, 119 m
long, there is a view point at the eastern edge of the
bridge with a good view into the gorge, 70 m wide and 40
m deep

- when reaching the bridge turn right onto road no. 925
and continue on road no. 926 to Húsey
- accommodation is recommended at Húsey Hostel
- for further Information on Húsey Hostel, Fljótdalshérað
701 Egilsstadir – ph.+354-4713010 /847 8229

(Distances: Berunes-Stöðvarfjörður 42 km,
Stöðvarfjörður-Egilsstaðir 67 km, Egilsstaður-Lögurinn-
Fellabær 82 km, Fellabær-Húsey 47 km; total: 238, total
without Lögurinn circle 156 km)


Day 6:

- from Húsey drive road no. 926 and 925 back to reach
the ring road
- when you get to the junction, turn right onto road no. 1,
cross the river Jökulsá

Jökuldalur
- narrow, long valley with low mountains on both sides
- just a few farms, good grassland
- nice waterfalls along the road

- continue on road no. 1

Möðrudalur
- farm, situated at higher altitude than any other Icelandic
farm
- just a few kilometers from road no. 1 (road no. 901)
- former parsonage, present church built by the farmer Jón
Stefánsson, who also painted the altar-piece
- very nice café, called the mountain café (Fjallakaffi), only
during summer season
- impressive views on the mountain ridge
Möðrudalsfjallgarður and the majestic Herðubreið (1.682
m high), one of the most beautiful Icelandic mountains
- the local painter Stórval painted this mountain over and
over again

- turn back on road no. 1, drive west to get to the Mývatn
area

Mývatn
- beautiful shallow lake in a region of volcanic activity and
geothermal heat
- during the summer a paradise for ducks and other birds,
average number of 50000 pairs of ducks of 15 species
- very good trout fishing
- extremely beautiful surrounding area, covered with lava
and growth
- interesting geological phenomena like pseudo craters,
lava caves, hot mud and steam springs, canyons etc.
- the name means “lake of the midges”, during the
summer swarms of midges can make life unpleasant here,
but these midges do not bite
- several service stations and restaurants around the lake
- here are some suggestions:

Reykjahlíð
- church and former parsonage, today a small village of
200 inhabitants
- service, restaurant, bank, supermarket, shop

- In the year 1829, the church was threatened by a
volcanic eruption but miraculously the flow of lava stopped
just a few meters from the church. A modern church was
built on the same site in 1972.

Jarðböðin
- very interesting: “Jarðböðin”
- The Mývatn Nature Baths, opened in 2004, are an
outstanding attraction, offering excellent bathing facilities
in an outdoor lagoon whose temperature is 38-40

o

C

- service and information center, cafeteria
- for further information contact pn.+354-464-4411

Námafjall
- mountain south of the pass Námaskarð, former sulfur
mine, the east side of the mountain is all covered by signs
of geothermal heat
- impressive bubbling mud pools, steam vents, hot boiling
springs and fumaroles, distinctive stench of sulfur
everywhere
- there are roped-off paths, please do stick to those paths,
it is extremely dangerous to walk around in this area, the
surface material is fragile and the ground is extremely
hot

Krafla and Víti
- cone-shaped volcano north of Námafjall, but also a
system of fissures
- considerable geothermal heat on the west side of Krafla
- Geothermal Power Station, build in 1984, later extended
- The crater Víti is situated nearby Krafla, its name means
“hell” in Icelandic

Skútustaðir
- famous for a number of pseudo craters, formed by gas
explosions when hot lava flew into the waters, looking like
circular craters or small islands
- protected area, please do not leave the walking paths
and close the gates behind you
- service, shop, cafe

Dimmuborgir
- quite unique recreation area
- valley filled up with bizarre lava formations, caves, holes
and pillars.
- protected area, very sensible birch growth

- several marked walking paths, don not leave the roped
off routes, you can easily get lost in this labyrinth of dark
lava rocks
- newly built service and information centre at the
entrance, cafeteria

- accommodation recommended at Berg Hostel

- from lake Mývatn drive road no. 87 to the north, when
you reach road no. 85 turn left and after a short while
right onto road no. 852 to find Berg
- for further information on Berg Hostel, Sandi, Aðaldal,
641 Húsavík

–ph.+354-464-3777

(Distances: Húsey-Jökuldalur (bridge) 29 km, Jökuldalur-
Möðrudalur 89 km, Möðrudalur-Mývatn (Reykjahlíð) 71
km, Mývatn (Reykjahlíð) – Berg Hostel 47 km; total: 236
km)


Day 7:

- from Berg Hostel drive back onto road no. 85, drive to
the south, continue on road no. 845
- when you get at the junction, turn right onto road no. 1,
drive to the west

Goðafoss
- very impressive waterfall on the river Skjálfandafljót
- Icelandic Sagas tell that back in the year 1000, when the
parliament had decided that Icelanders should adopt the
Christian religion, the law-speaker Þorgeir
Ljósvetningagoði threw his pagan idols into the river. After
that the waterfall was named the “waterfall of the idols” or
gods.
- walking paths, lovely moss and birch growth, please be
careful not destroying it
- cafeteria, shop and service
- it is best to stop at the service station and take a walk
from here

- continue on road no. 1 until you reach the fjord
Eyjafjörður.

Eyjafjörður
- collective name of the fjord and the narrow, well
cultivated valley (60 km long) toward the head of the fjord
- the river Eyjarfarðará runs through the valley into the
fjord
- the town Akureyri is situated in the fjord Eyjafjörður

Akureyri
- so called capital of the North, situated in the narrow fjord
Eyjafjörður
- trading place since 1602, population today 16.000
- interesting sites: botanical garden, modern church by the
architect Guðjón Samúelsson, sculpture “The Outlaw” by
Einar Jónsson, Nonnahús (museum in memory of Jón
Sveinsson, author of children books, for example “Nonni
and Manni”), harbor, folk museum, museum on natural
history
- restaurants, cafés, shops, art galleries etc. in the center
of the town, swimming pool, all year Christmas shop
- tourist information, guided tours by bus, boat and jeep
- airport
- for further information on museums, exhibitions etc.
contact ph.+354-460 1000

- leave Akureyri on road no. 1, turn right onto road no. 82,
drive north

Dalvík
- former fishing village on the western shores of the fjord
Eyjaförður, 1400 inhabitants
- from you have nice views on Hrísey island
- magnificent mountain peaks surround the village
- departure point for the ferry to Grímsey
- whale watching, folk museum, swimming pool

- continue on road no. 82, pass Ólafsfjörður, drive the
mountain road
- when you reach the coast again, turn right onto road no.
793 to get to Siglufjörður

Siglufjörður
- fishing town, 1600 inhabitants
- protected against avalanches by two walls (18 and 14 m
high)
- very interesting Herring Era Museum, Iceland’s largest
maritime museum

- The Boat House recreates the town’s bustling harbor of
the 1950s, with many old fishing boats at the dock. During
the years of the so called “herring adventure”, a gold rush-
like atmosphere settled over the town, leading to
Siglufjördur been dubbed the "Atlantic Klondike"
- for further information on the herring museum contact
ph. [phone]

- accommodation recommended at Siglufjörður Hostel
- for further information on Siglufjörður Hostel, Aðalgata
10, 580 Siglufjörður –ph.+354-467 1506


(Distances: Berg-Goðafoss 45 km, Goðafoss-Akureyri 50
km, Akureyri-Dalvík 44 km, Dalvík-Siglufjörður 79 km;
total: 218 km)


Day 8:

- drive road no. 793 and 76 along the coast

Hofsós
- village, situated on the eastern shores of Skagafjörður,
pop. 200
- former trading centre and harbor for
- very interesting Icelandic Emigration Centre
(Vesturfarasetrið) with exhibitions on emigration to
Canada and the USA in the late 19th century, worth a visit
- for further information on Vesturfarasetrið contact ph.
[phone]

- nice harbor, the exhibition is situated here, as well as
Pakkhúsið, a wooden warehouse from the 18th century,
now preserved by the National Museum

- continue on road no. 76, turn left onto road no. 767 to
get to Hólar

Hólar
- former bishopric (1106-1998), most important historical
site in northern Iceland
- religious and educational centre from the 12th until the
18th century
- it was the site of Iceland’s first printing press
- in 1584 the first complete Icelandic Bible was printed
here

- the last Catholic bishop, Jón Arason, who resisted the
Reformation, was beheaded at Skálholt in fall 1550
- church, built 1763 of local red sand stone, oldest stone
building in Iceland
- church tower built in the 1950s
- get a local guide to tell you about the history and all the
interesting pieces inside the church as well as the replica
of a wooden building, Auðunarstofa, from the Middle Ages
- today home to the Agricultural College and Hólar
University, teaching aquaculture and fish biology, equine
sciences and rural tourism
- during the summer season, there are exhibitions on local
history at the University
- nice hiking area

- drive back onto road no. 76, drive south
- when you reach ring road no. 1, turn right in direction to
Varmahlíð
- from Varmahlíð drive road no. 75 to get to Glaumbær

Glaumbær
- very interesting open air and folk museum, former
parsonage and wealthy farm
- one of the few remaining Icelandic turf farms, oldest
parts of it are from the 18th century
- Beside the turf farm, there are buildings from the 19th
and early 20th century, including a church and a former
school for housekeepers.
- Take your time; there are many things to explore and to
learn about everyday life in Iceland.
- There is a very nice café in a cozy old-fashioned tearoom
where you can get traditional Icelandic cakes and other
local snacks.
- for further information on Glaumbær museum contact
ph.+354-453-6173

- drive back on road no. 1, not far from Varmahlíð you will
find the church of Víðimýri, left side of road no. 1

Víðimýrikirkja
- traditional turf church from 1834
- one of the most beautiful turf churches still existing in
Iceland
- very good example of traditional Icelandic architecture
- local guide, leaflets, postcards at the spot

- continue on road no. 1, heading west

Blönduós
- small town, pop. 1000, living on agriculture, transport,
trading
- situated at the mouth of the river Blanda built on both
sides of the river
- very interesting modern church, built in the years 1981-
1985
- all necessary service available, bank, shops, gas station,
restaurant
- nice recreation area on an island in the glacial river
Blanda, worth a stop and a walk (you can see it from the
gas station)

- continue on road no. 1, drive through the valley Víðidalur
- turn right onto road no. 716, continue on road no. 717

Borgarvirki
- “citadel”, 177 m high
- group of rocks on the ridges between Vesturhóp and the
Víðidalur valley
- basalt columns 10-15 m high, depression on the top and
an open to the east
- a big stonewall has been raised in the open, ruins of hut
in the depression
- nobody knows for what purpose these walls were raised,
but Icelandic Sagas suggest them being defense walls

- turn right onto road no. 711

Hvítserkur
- basalt crag rising from the sea, 15 m high
- erosion formed it looking like some figure of a fairy tale
or a monster
- colonies of sea birds and seal breeding grounds

- accommodation is recommended at Ósar Hostel
- for further information on Ósar Hostel, Þverárhreppi, V-
Hún, 531 Hvammstangi

–ph.+354-862-2778

(Distances: Siglufjörður-Hofsós 60 km, Hofsós-Hólar 24
km, Hólar-Glaumbær 53 km, Glaumbær-Blönduós 57 km,
Blönduós –Ósar 59 km; total: 253 km)

Day 9:

- drive road no. 711

Illugastaðir
- farm at the coast of Húnaflói
- offers an interesting seal watching location
- short hike from the parking lot at the farm
- café, information
- seals inhabit the skerries near Illugastaðir all year round,
curious seals swim quite near to the guests of Illugastaðir
- in the 19

th

century, this farm was the scene of a famous

crime, the murder of Natan Ketilsson

Hvammstangi
- village, pop. 590
- authorized trading place since the late 19

th

century

- service centre for the surrounding neighborhood
- home to the newly opened Icelandic Seal Center, where
you can learn everything about seals and their closest
environment
- for further information on the Icelandic Seal Center
contact ph.+354 451 2345/ [phone]

- drive road no. 72, when you reach ring road no. 1, turn
right in direction to the fjord Hrútafjörður

Hrútafjörður
- long narrow fjord, the largest in this part of Iceland
- very good agricultural area, many farms

- when you reach the bottom of Hrútafjörður, turn right
onto road no. 61
- after passing Borðeyri, turn left onto road no. 59
- drive the mountain road Laxárdalsheiði

Laxárdalur
- valley northeast of Búðardalur
- site of one of the most impressive Icelandic Sagas,
Laxdæla Saga

- continue on road no. 60 to the south
- turn left onto road no. 586 to get to Eiríksstaðir

Eiríksstaðir
- today an abandoned farm, but still one of the most
historically significant locations in Iceland
- once it was the starting point of the westward expansion
of the Vikings (first to Greenland and later to North
America)
- archeological excavations lead to the assumption that
this was the home to Eiríkur rauði (Erik the Red), his son
was Leifur Eiriksson, the first European to set foot on
North America
- replica of the longhouse of Eiríkur at the site, 12 m long,
4 m wide, turf roof
- local guides, dressed as Vikings, can explain the house
and the story to you as well as the ruins of the former
farmhouse
- statue of Leifur Eiríksson
- for further information on Eiríksstaðir contact ph.

+354-

434 1118 /430 4706

- drive back, turn left onto road no. 60, turn right onto
road no. 54 (Skógarströnd)

- accommodation recommended at Grundarfjörður
Hostel or Stykkishólmur Hostel
- if you are goint to stay at Stykkishólmur Hostel, turn
right onto road no. 58
- if you are going to stay at Grundarfjörður Hostel,
continue on road no. 54

Stykkishólmur
- town with 1230 inhabitants, fishing and trading center,
school, hospital
- for centuries a focal point for settlement in the
Breiðafjörður area
- modern space age looking church, concert hall, art
museum on water “Vatnasafnið”
- folk museum close to the harbor in the “Norwegian
House”
- super market, great swimming pool
- from here the ferry Baldur goes to Brjánslækur (West
fjords)
- light house near the harbor
- several boat trips with bird and whale watching, sea
angling etc.
- tourist information centre

- for further information on Stykkishólmur Hostel,
Höfðagata 1, 340 Stykkishólmur –ph.+354-438-1417 /
[phone]

Grundarfjörður
- fishing and trading center since the 18th century, named
after the fjord Grundarfjörður
- today lovely small town in a great environment,
dominated by the mountain Kirkjufell
- population about 850, living on fishing and fish
processing
- French fishermen built a church and several houses in
the town
- swimming pool, tourist information
- for further information on Grundarfjörður Hostel,
Hliðarvegur 15, 350 Grundarfjörður –ph.+354-895-6533 /
[phone]

(Distances: Ósar-Hvammstangi 39 km, Hvammstangi-
Hrútafjörður (bottom) 39 km, Hrútafjörður (bottom)-
Eiríksstaðir 63 km, Eiríksstaðir-
Stykkishólmur/Grundarförður 66/91 km; total: 207/232
km)


Day 10:

- drive road no. 54 and 574

Ólafsvík
- small town (900 inhabitants), good harbor facilities, rich
offshore fishing grounds
- museum in a 19th century warehouse
- all necessary services

Rif and Hellissandur
- former important fisher villages
- western most settlements on Snæfellsnes peninsula
- maritime museum and fishermen’s cottages at
Hellissandur
- large colony of the arctic tern between Rif and
Hellissandur

Snæfellsjökull
- The area is dominated by the three peaked volcano and
glacier Snæfellsjökull (1446 m high) which is believed to
be a place of supernatural power.
- One of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland featured in
novels by Jules Verne and Icelandic writer Halldór
Laxness.
- today national park
- several hiking trails

Dritvík
- For centuries one of the busiest fishing-stations, once
inhabiting 600 seasonal workers.
- walking path to the shore (Djúpalónssandur), where
there are four well-known lifting stones which fishermen
would try their strength at, they had to be able to lift at
least the smaller ones

Hellnar and Arnarstapi
- two former fishing villages
- beautiful and striking coast line, interesting rock
formations, basalt columns, gorges, caves, sea bird
colonies
- in Arnarstapi, you will see the stone monument to the
hero Barður Snæfellsás, who protects the area from evil as
the local legend has it
- several marked hiking paths to the caves and sea bird
colonies
- restaurant at Arnarstapi, café at Hellnar

- national park office including interesting exhibition at
Hellnar

Búðahraun
- lava field on the south shore of Snæfellsnes peninsula
- lovely church from 19th century at Búðir
- yellow sand beach, rare in Iceland, with black lava

- continue on road no. 54

Borgarnes
- small town, 2.500 inhabitants, living on industry and
services
- restaurant, services, shopping center, bank, hospital etc.
- one of the sites of the famous Saga of Egill
Skallagrímsson
- interesting botanical garden with a relief sculpture of
Egill Skallagrímsson

- drive road no. 1 through the Hvalfjörður tunnel to get to
Reykjavík

- accommodation is recommended at Reykjavík City Hostel
or Reykjavík Hostel Downtown
- for further information on Reykjavík City Hostel,
Sundlaugavegur 34, 105 Reykjavík – ph.+354-553-8110

- for further information on Reykjavík Hostel
Downtown, Vesturgata 17, 101 Reykjavík – ph.+ 354
553 8120

(Distances: Stykkishólmur/Grundarfjörður-Ólafsvík 75/28
km, Ólafsvík-Búðir 67 km, Búðir-Borgarnes 102 km,
Borgarnes-Reykjavík 63 km; total 307/260 m)