The White Falcon - 11.06.1999, Blaðsíða 6

Museums, art galleries, botanical gardens, forests and a nearby nature reserve are all attractions in the city of Akureyri. Located on
the head of a long and narrow fjord, the city is surrounded by a ring of perpetually snow-capped mountains.
Making Tracks: Exploring Akureyri
Story and photo by Karin W. Tramni
Where: Akureyri
Getting There: Take Highway 41 from
Kelfavfk to Highway 1 in Reykjavik. Follow
Highway 1 north for 265 miles to reach
Akureyri. If you use the tunnel (l.OOOkr.) the
drive will take about five hours.
Akureyri is Iceland’s favorite summer get-
away. A jewel in the crown of Iceland,
Akureyri is blessed with a more moderate
climate and a spectacular setting. It lies on
the head of the long and narrow fjord,
EyafjorSur, and is surrounded by a ring of
perpetually snow-capped mountains. The
pleasant weather and scenic atmosphere
makes Akureyri a favorite with Icelanders
and tourists alike.
There are many museums to visit in
Akureyri, several dedicated to local towns-
men. Other sites include a natural history
museum, a folk museum, art galleries, and a
municipal theater. An entire day can be
taken visiting the various museums and
churches that abound in Akureyri. Be sure to
check the tourist information center, located
at the bus station, to get free maps and details
about the area.
One of the true treats of this quaint and
friendly town is the Botanical Gardens,
established in 1912 by a local women’s
group. Located on the hillside above the
town, it boasts over 2,000 species of both
imported and domestic plants. Covering 3.5
hectares, it contains a myriad of blooming
plants, (most of which are meticulously
labeled,) as well as manicured lawns, ponds,
and statues commemorating two previous
park managers.
You may well forget you are just south of
the Arctic Circle as you stroll along the paths
and take in the colors and fragrances of this
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beautiful park.
Another great place to stretch your legs is
the Kjarnaskogur forest located on the south-
ern side of Akureyri. To get there, follow
Highway 1 through town until it turns left
over the bridge. Instead of turning, continue
on 821, straight along the edge of the water
for 1.7 miles. Soon after you pass the airport
look for the sign on the right. Turn and drive
up the hill to the parking area. The children’s
playground is right across the street.
With over 50 species of trees and shrubs,
this area also has a volleyball court and pic-
nic tables. In addition, a maze of hiking
trails skirt along the Brunna creek, meander-
ing through the woods and hopscotching the
brook on a series of small footbridges. This
is a perfect place for a picnic lunch, an after-
noon stroll, or playtime for the kids.
Another site worth exploring is the old turf
farm and church at Laufas. Follow Highway
1 across the bridge and over to the other side
of the fjord. After about 10 miles, Road 83
branches off to the left and continues down
the fjord, while Highway 1 heads over the
mountain and on to Myvatn. Follow Road
83 for about six miles and look for the sign
and turn off for Laufas on the left.
There has been a church at this site since
the first days of Christianity in Iceland. The
current church was built in 1865. The oldest
parts of the farmhouse were constructed in
1840 but renovated and enlarged in 1866.
The farmhouse is quite large and housed 20
to 30 people at one time. It was lived in until
1936. It is now under the protection of the
National Museum and has been restored and
refurbished with household items so visitors
can imagine how the house looked when it
was occupied. The interior may be viewed
from June 1 to Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
After leaving Laufas, turn left back onto
Highway 1. Follow it up and over the hills
for about nine miles. Turn right onto Road
833 to visit Vaglaskogur. one of the largest
natural birch forests in Iceland. There are
camping facilities, picnic tables, and a play-
ground to enjoy. You will also find trails that
wind through 750 acres of woodlands and
along the banks of the Frijoska River.
Drive down 833 for a few miles, then cross
the bridge and turn left on 836 to loop back
out of the park. This is the best part of the
' drive, a shady lane meandering through 50-
foot tall trees. In summer, wildflowers burst
forth on the forest floor. If you miss autumn,
Vaglaskogur is a good place to find it in mid
to late September. The loop is only 6.5 miles
and a beautiful stop if you are in the area.
There are a variety of day trips to take
advantage of while in the vicinity of
Akureyri. Both air and ferry services operate
in the summer to the island of Grimsey,
which straddles the Arctic Circle. Extensive
bird colonies are found along the cliffs of this
tiny island.
The island of Hn'sey, the second largest
island off Iceland’s coast, is located in the
middle of EyjajorSur. You can catch the 20-
minute ferry ride over from Dalvfk. Much of
the island is a nature reserve and there are
many trails for hikers. It is also the site of
the quarantine facility. If anyone brought
animals from your last duty station, this was
their home away from home for their first
two months here in Iceland.
Lake Myvatn is a short drive from
Akureyri and offers a host of areas to
explore. There are geothermal areas, psue-
docraters, cinder cones, bizarre lava forma-
tions, and an abundance of bird life. En
route is Gobafoss, the “waterfall of the
gods”.
Whether you have just a few days or a
whole week, there is much to see and do in
the Akureyri area. While living in Iceland,
take advantage of the opportunity to visit the
“garden city” of your host nation.
The White Falcon June 11, 1999