Reykjavík Grapevine - sep. 2019, Blaðsíða 24

The Reykjavík G
rapevine
Best of Iceland 2019
24
Mountain:
Kirkjufell
Grundarfjörður, Snæfellsnes
On the northern shore of the
Snæfellsnes peninsula, not far
from the town of Grundarfjörður,
is the impressive Kirkjufell. Mean-
ing “Church Mountain,” the 463
m Kirkjufell is entrancing. Broad
and flat topped from one angle, but
appearing to jut up from the earth
like a shark fin when viewed from
another side. There’s a reason this
mountain is the most photographed
in Iceland. Map square: C11
Town:
Stykkishólmur
Snæfellsnes
Info: visitstykkishólmur.is
Of all the small towns around Ice-
land’s coastline, Stykkishólmur—
population 1,195—is perhaps the
most charming. The small harbour
is enclosed by a small and easily
hikeable cliff that offers views out
into the island-dotted fjord, and for
such a small place there’s plenty to
see and do, including a handful of
museums, shops, and restaurants.
The perfect spot for a weekend get-
away. D11
Farm:
Háafell
Hvítársíðu, Borgarbyggð
Tel: +354 437 1600
The Icelandic goat is on the decline,
so stopping by the country’s only
goat farm at Háafell is a must-do in
the West. Play with the goats, learn
about the breed, and sample some
goat cheese and goat milk ice cream.
You might even meet a television
star: Háafell’s goats appeared on
“Game of Thrones.” Whether or not
any were harmed in the filming by
being consumed by actual dragons
remains unconfirmed. E13
Museum: Bjarnarhöfn
Shark Museum
Bjarnarhöfn, Tel: +354 438-1581
Info: www.bjarnarhofn.is
One of Iceland’s notorious bizarrely
specific museums, the Bjarnarhöfn
Shark Museum is packed to the
brim with shark boats, shark info
sheets, shark skeletons, shark stom-
ach contents, and so much more
shark related content. If that’s not
sharky enough for you, just up the
hill is a drafty shack where shark
meat hangs down right before your
very eyes. We’d recommend you
don’t eat it, but hey, it’s your life.
Make your own choices. C11
Food Tour:
Viking Sushi
Stykkishólmur, Tel: +354 433-2254
Info: www.seatours.is
Viking Sushi gives you a two for
one deal: a gorgeous cruise among
the Breiðafjörður bay and a taste of
the freshest seafood around. Right
in front of your very eyes, scallops,
clams, and sea urchins are plucked
from the seafloor and served to you
on a giant trough on the bow of
the boat. It’s a unique experience
your brain won’t soon forget, and a
delicious culinary one your tongue
won’t either. D11
Road Trip:
Kaldidalur
Húsafell to Þingvellir
The snowy, glacier-flanked moun-
tain pass of Kaldidalur is a dirt trail
which meanders through some of
Iceland’s most beautiful scenery.
It’s a rough road, no doubt, but one
that allows you unfettered access
to some of the more obscure loca-
tions about Langjökull. On a good
day, don’t forget to park and take a
hike up to Ok, the dead glacier. The
trip starts at Húsafell, eventually
ending at Þingvellir. Check road.is
and safetravel.is for advance road
info. G14
USEFUL INFO
Grapevine on the West:
gpv.is/west
Our articles, info and
guides for West Iceland
and the Westfjords
Tourist Information:
West Iceland Marketing
Office
www.west.is
info@westiceland.is
Tel: +354 462 3300

Emergency services
Tel: 112 (national helpline)
Weather report
en.vedur.is
Recorded info: +354 902 0600
HOW TO GET THERE
By car:
Road conditions
www.road.is
Tel: 1777
(Summer hours: 08:00-16:00 /
Winter: 06:30-22:00)
By ferry:
From Stykkishólmur
Ferry to Flatey and Brjánslækur
Schedule & Info:
www.seatours.is
By bus:
National Bus Network
www.bus.is
Tel: +354 540 2700
SAFETY NOTE
The summer “high season” in
Iceland ends on September 1st.
Please check vedur.is/en for
weather and road.is for driving
conditions in the late summer.
Some roads close completely when
weather is poor. Additional travel
alerts can be found at safetravel.
is.
OPENING HOURS
Opening hours may vary outside
of the summer season, so be
sure to check ahead.
Browse Grapevine recommended
tours from this region at