Iceland review - 2016, Page 88

86 ICELAND REVIEW
Skagafjörður’s landscape is striking; with
sloping mountains, a beautiful coast-
line and sometimes even chunks of glacial
ice dotting the fjord. The vast stretches of
land are home to farms, horses and many
outdoor activities. Skagafjörður, which
is 40 km (24 miles) long and 15 km (9.3
miles) wide, has numerous historical sites
to visit, and plenty of excursions to keep
travelers entertained year-round. The win-
tertime offers endless adventure for those
who like to ski, hike, go snowmobiling, or
simply relax in one of the fjord’s many hot
springs while enjoying the magic of the
northern lights. If a swimming pool is more
your speed, the renowned pool in Hofsós
is located on a cliff top with superb views
of the fjord.
THE FOOD CHEST
In addition to the natural beauty of the
region, Skagafjörður was named a Euro-
pean Destination of Excellence (EDEN)
in 2015, for its project Skagafjörður Food
Chest, which aims to promote new and
little-known destinations across Europe
which emphasize sustainable tourism.
The concept focuses on local sustainable
food, such as meat, dairy, vegetables, and
herbs, found in the region. Local chefs
are encouraged to create menus using
only these ingredients. Several regional
restaurants offer dishes that feature the
Skagafjörður Food Chest label. The food
is fresh, inventive and your taste buds will
thank you.
HORSE CAPITAL
Skagafjörður is often described as the
home of the Icelandic horse. There are a
number of farms and stables in the region
that offer horse riding tours of various
lengths for every level of expertise. Trav-
elers can observe the annual horse and
sheep roundup in September, where they
can see a popular national event. For bird-
watchers, the region is home to a large
variety of birds—hundreds and thousands
of which nest during the summer on the
islands of Drangey, Málmey and Lundey.
HISTORICAL SITES
The Glaumbær Folk Museum is one of Ice-
land’s turf-roofed farmsteads. Visitors en-
joy seeing how dramatically Icelandic life
has changed within a single lifespan. It’s a
reminder of how difficult life was for past
generations. Grettislaug is another im-
portant site for history buffs. In the famous
Grettir’s Saga, Grettir swam from Drang-
ey to the western shore of Skagafjörður,
where he bathed in a geothermal spring
and then gathered some glowing embers
to bring back to the island. In 1992, Gret-
tislaug was rebuilt at Grettir’s legendary
bathing spot.
Skagafjörður has something for everyone.
visitskagafjordur.is
STUNNING SKAGAFJÖRÐUR
SPECIAL PROMOTIONTHE ARCTIC NORTH
Experience breathtaking landscapes, thrilling outdoor activities,
unique culinary exploits and important historical sites.
Hofsós swimming pool.