Iceland review - 2016, Page 90

88 ICELAND REVIEW
Many photographers and explorers
rank the northeast as their favorite
part of Iceland. It’s a very sparsely popu-
lated area, rich in beauty and complete-
ly free from stress. Keen to grab some of
the attention the region deserves, a broad
coalition of northeastern service providers
have joined to create the Edge of the Arc-
tic—an association set up to promote the
region and help visitors enjoy its countless
world-class attractions.
BIG DRAWS
Through its comprehensive website and
helpful brochures, Edge of the Arctic in-
vites you to experience renowned sites like
Jökulsárgljúfur and Ásbyrgi, as well as less-
er-known attractions like Langanes penin-
sula and Þistilfjörður—and the welcoming
villages of Kópasker, Þórshöfn and Raufar-
höfn—nicknamed the Arctic Circle village.
Ásbyrgi is a large horseshoe-shaped de-
pression in the earth, surrounded by cliffs
and filled with trees. It’s a favorite hiking
spot among Icelanders known for its warm
microclimate (in the summer, of course).
Meanwhile, Jökulsárgljúfur is an impres-
sive canyon and mountain range worth
visiting in its own right, but also because
it’s home to Dettifoss—Europe’s biggest
waterfall by volume. Both form part of
the Vatnajökull National Park, which is the
largest park in Western Europe.
REVEL IN RELAXATION
Iceland is famously peaceful, but nowhere
more so than on Melrakkaslétta and
Langanes peninsulas in the far northeast.
Here you’ll find true peace in a place
where the forces of nature are as tangible
as the cliffs are high, and the noisy crowds
are made up only of birds. There’s no bet-
ter birdwatching spot than the new clifftop
viewing platform at Stóri-Karl, where you’ll
see more gannets than anywhere else.
On the surface it feels like the end of
the world, but the smattering of people
who call this place home will soon make
you feel like it’s the center of the universe.
Who needs anywhere else?
The northeast boasts some excellent
hotels, hostels and guesthouses, as well
as plenty of delicious surprises at its cafés
and restaurants—not to mention its ex-
cellent museums. Raufarhöfn Arctic Circle
village is home to the new Arctic Henge.
Created as a giant sundial on the cusp of
the Arctic Circle, the stunning Henge is
a huge stone structure with allusions to
mythology and folklore, designed to inter-
act with the unique natural light.
TOP PARTNERS
Edge of the Arctic is proudly supported
and coordinated by Dettifoss Guesthouse
near Ásbyrgi, Kópasker Hostel, the Snar-
tarstaðir museum and culture center at
Kópasker, Nest Guesthouse at Raufarhöfn,
Báran bar and restaurant at Þórshöfn,
Sauðaneshús culture center on Langanes
and Fell Cottages at Bakkafjörður.
edgeofthearctic.is
EXPLORE THE EDGE
OF THE ARCTIC
Iceland’s remotest region just became a lot more accessible.
SPECIAL PROMOTIONTHE ARCTIC NORTH