Reykjavík Grapevine - nov 2019, Qupperneq 39

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Diving Centre: Strýtan
Hjalteyri, near Akureyri
Info: strytan.is
In the ocean water of Eyjafjörður
sits a submarine phenomenon: two
hydrothermal limestone chimneys,
located in the Arctic Ocean at a
depth of just 70 metres. They have
formed from a mineral-rich fresh-
water hot spring burbling through
the seabed over the past 11,000
years. Hydrothermal chimneys are
popular research sites as ecosys-
tems for the earliest known life
forms. Strýtan is among the top
five cold-water dive sites worldwide
for experienced recreational divers.
Map square: E9
Island: Grímsey
Info: akureyri.is/grimsey-en
While North Iceland is almost en-
tirely subarctic, its northernmost
point is bisected by the Arctic
Circle. Grímsey sits 40km north
off of Iceland’s mainland, the only
opportunity to step foot into the
Icelandic Arctic. With a human
population less than one hundred
people strong, the island’s abundant
inhabitants are birds—especially
auks and gulls. F7
Site: Krafla
Near Lake Mývatn
Info: northiceland.is
One of Iceland’s most active vol-
canoes, Krafla erupted nine times
between 1975 and 1984. Walk the
still-smoking Leirhnjúkur lava field
by the explosion crater Víti (‘Hell’
in Icelandic), teeming with vibrant
moss and ribbons of bizarre lava
formations. Nearby Krafla Geother-
mal Centre is a great way to learn
about sustainable energy and ge-
othermal power production. H10
Site: The Arctic Henge
Raufarhöfn
Info: northiceland.is
Located near the remote north-
east village of Raufarhöfn is Arctic
Henge. Though it looks ancient,
Arctic Henge is a newly constructed
monument for Ásatrú practitioners
who worship the old gods. Arctic
Henge mimics its namesake by act-
ing as a huge sundial. There are 72
stones, each named after a dwarf
from the Eddas. I7
Waterfall: Aldeyjarfoss
Sprengisandsleið
Aldeyjarfoss is a stunning 20m-high
waterfall tumbling over ancient ba-
salt columns, midway in the glacial
river Skjálfandafljót. The water-
fall is positioned on the northern
edge of the epic highland road
Sprengisandur, and has been under
threat of disappearing if potential
hydropower dam construction is
approved. It’s a challenging drive
that would need a 4x4 to do, but
Geotravel runs private tours to
make getting there easy. G11

Museum: Icelandic
Textile Centre
Árbraut 31, Blönduós
Info: textilemidstod.is
Break up the northwards drive in
Blönduós with a visit to The Icelan-
dic Textile Centre. You can tour the
former women’s school (run from
1879-1978). The Textile Centre is
popular with textile and visual art-
ists who knit, weave, embroider,
and sew, so you never know who
you’ll encounter creating their next
pièce de résistance. B10
USEFUL INFO
Grapevine on the North:
gpv.is/north
Our articles, info and
guides for North Iceland
Tourist Information:
Visit North Iceland
Hafnarstræti 91, 600 Akureyri
northiceland.is
info@northiceland.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 domestic airline:
Akureyri Airport (AEY)
Domestic and international flights
Eyjafjarðarbraut vestri, Akureyri
Main airline operator:
www.airiceland.is
Tel: +354 570 3000
Other airlines:
norlandair.is
Tel: +354 424 4000
Húsavík Airport (HZK)
Domestic flights to and from
Reykjavík.
Main airline operator:
www.eagleair.is
Tel: +354 464 1300
By ferry:
From Akureyri to Grímsey and
Hrísey
Schedule & Info:
visitakureyri.is/en/transport/
ferries
By bus:
National Bus Network
www.bus.is
Tel: +354 540 2700
SAFETY NOTE
The “high season” in Iceland ends
on September 1st. Please check
vedur.is/en for weather forecasts
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.
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Vík í Mýrdal
Höfn í Hornafirði
Stöðvarörður
Djúpivogur
Reyðarörður
Eskiörður
Neskaupsstaður
Seyðisörður
Vopnaörður
Bakkagerði
Fáskrúðsörður
Selfoss
Hella
Hvolsvöllur
EyrarbakkiÞorlákshöfn
Stokkseyri
Grindavík
Hafnarörður
Reykjavík
Borgarnes
Akranes
Kjalarnes
Húsavík
Grenivík
Hrísey
Svalbarðseyri
Hjalteyri
Kópasker
Raufarhöfn
Þórshöfn
Ólafsörður
Dalvík
Akureyri
Grundar-
örður
Ólafsvík
Arnarstapi
Hellnar
Hellissandur
Rif
Kópavogur
Keflavík
Sandgerði
Garður
Hvammstangi
Borðeyri
Laugarbakki
Djúpavík
Sauðárkrókur
Varmahlíð
Hofsós
Sigluörður
Blönduós
Suðureyri
Æðey
Súðavík
TálknaörðurPatreksörður
Búðardalur
Bíldudalur Hólmavík
Bolungarvík
Flateyri
Þingeyri
Hnífsdalur
Ísaörður
Laugavatn
Hveragerði
Mosfellsbær
Sólheimar
Laugarás Flúðir
Reykholt
Stykkishólmur
Flatey
Skagaströnd
Grímsey
Egilsstaðir
Bakkaörður
Breiðdalsvík
Laugar
Brjánslækur
Reykholt
Reykhólar
Jökulsá á Fjöllum
Jökulsá á Fjöllum
Lagarfljót
Öskjuvatn
Þjórsá
Ölfusá
Hvítá
Mývatn
Langisjór
Veiðivötn
Þórisvatn
Þingvallavatn
Skaftá
Kleifarvatn
Hvítárvatn
Skjálfandafljót
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P A P E Y
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D J Ú P A L Ó N S S .
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➊ Mývatn Nature Baths
Jarðbaðshólar, Mývatn
tel +354 464-4411
www.myvatnnaturebaths.is
info@jardbodin.is
Begin with a relaxing dip in clouds of
steam rising up from fissures deep into
earth’s surface and end with a luxurious
bath in a pool of geothermal water, drawn
from depths of up to 2500 meters. Mý-
vatn Nature Baths are perfect for those
who enjoy close contact with nature and
want to relax their body and soul in the
warm natural waters, overlooking the
scenery of lake Mývatn and the volcanic
crater of Hverfjall.
Opening Hours:
Winter 10:00-22:00
Summer 09:00-24:00
It’s best to book in advance at mnb.is
Local Delights Advertisement: North