From Reykjavík to Borgarnes and other Iceland Things to Do Tips

Borgarnes (Iceland)

by Redang , 1 more photos

I left Reykjavík driving along road N1 or Ring Road to Mosfellsbćr. On the right you will find road #36 to Thingvellir, but I left that Park to the end of the trip, on my way back to Reykjavík.

So, I kept driving along road N1 until a tunnel (on the left) that leads, under the fjord, to Akranes. Once there, turn right, and after some 24 kms., I crossed the 520 m.-long bridge (main pic), on the left, called Borgarfjardarbrú and built in 1.980 to Borgarnes. End of the first day.

Borgarnes is a town of some 1.680 inhabitants. There is a museum of local History, but the city really doesn't offer too much.

I spent the night there, at the Hotel Borgarnes (see the Accommodation Tip of my Borgarnes page), and have a look at the second pic; it is what I saw from the room, mount Hafnarfjall (844 m.).

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Near Borgarnes: Deildartugunguhver & Reykholt

Tip Rating:

Written by Redang

on Aug 25, 2008

Deildartugunguhver (Iceland)

There are a few places to visit very close to Borgarnes. I'm going to describe here just two.

Leave the town along road N1 north, and after some 17 kms., take road #50 on your right. Then, follow the signs to Deildartugunguhver (or look for the smoke, it could be another good way to find the spot).

Deildartugunguhver is a hot spring in Reykholtsdalur valley and it yields 180 litres/second of about 97 degrees hot water. Places such as Borgarnes and Akranes receive the water for domestic use.

After this interesting place, take again road #50 to Reykholt, the hometown of the famous icelandic writer Snorri Sturluson.

Taking again road #50, drive south to Borgarnes; it's a very nice circular excursion.

Leave a Comment

Directions: For Reykholt itself, you can check:
- www.reykholt.is
Website: www.borgarfjordur.com/visitors.php?lang=en

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Road N1 from Borgarnes to Grábrok and Baula

Tip Rating:

Written by Redang

on Aug 25, 2008

Grábrokarhraun area (Iceland)

Leave Borgarnes taking road N1 north to Bifröst; it's some 35-37 kms., and the area is called Grábrokarhraun.

Then, you will see some craters: Grabrókarfell, Baula and Grábrok (left to right, main pic).
Grábrok is the largest in the lavafield that surrounds them considered to be more than 3.000 years old (2second pic). There's is another one, called Litla-Grábrok, much smaller (not in the pics). This crater can be ascended by a marked trail. The craters are under protection after 1.962.

The third pic shows´Grábrok (on the left) and Grábrókarfell.

The other crater, Baula (in the middle of the main pic), is a bit further. It is seen much closer about two kms. after the ones mentioned before, when road N1 reaches road #60 on the left. Baula has 834 m. of height.

Have a look at the fourth and fifth pics. It's amazing to see how the landscape changes after just a few metres.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Hvítserkur

Tip Rating:

Updated by Redang

on Jun 25, 2009

Hvítserkur (Iceland)

by Redang , 2 more photos

Back on road N1, drive about 91 kms. to a town called Hrísar. From now on, we are in North Iceland. Then, take road #711 (on your left). Keep driving this road for about 25-30 kms. and always following the signs saying Hvíserkur. You will reach a car park. Then, walk down the hill (not steep, don’t be afraid) along a marked path. You will see below that “funny” rock that looks like a camel or a donkey drinking water from the sea, and the black sandy beach. This rock is 15 high, and it’s situated just a few metres from the shore. Some parts of the rock are white because of the excrements of birds.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Blonduós

Tip Rating:

Written by Redang

on Aug 26, 2008

Blönduósskirkja (Blonduós, Iceland)

by Redang , 1 more photos

After seeing that "camel drinking water from the sea", I drove back to take road N1 again until I arrive in Blonduós, with a nice church: Blönduósskirkja. The construction began in 1.982, and the first ceremony took place on 1st May 1.993, and 250 people can be seated there.

I'd also like to recommend a restaurant a few metres away from the church: Potturinn & pannan (second pic). A good place to have a meal before hitting the road again. And the offical address, is: Norđur landsvegur, 4.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Two Timber Houses

Tip Rating:

Written by Redang

on Aug 30, 2008

Two Timber Houses (Iceland)

by Redang , 1 more photos

From Blonduós, I drove along road N1 for about 52 kms., then I took road #75 on the left; after some 7 kms., I found the Two Timber Houses.

These two houses were originally built in different locations.

The first one, äshú (main pic), was built between 1.886 and 1.886 at Hegranes, Skagafjörđur and moved to the current location in 1.991. It serves to represent the hard lives lived by Icelandic rural people.

The second one is Gilsstofa (second pic), built in 1.849 at Espihóll, Eyjafjöurr as a reception room and residence.

- Fax: (+354) 453 88 73

Leave a Comment

Phone: (+354) 453 61 73
Website: www.skagafjordur.is/displayer.asp?cat_id=1117
Other Contact: E mail: glaumb@krokur.is

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Glambćr Farmhouse

Tip Rating:

Written by Redang

on Aug 30, 2008

Glambćr (Iceland)

These houses are just a few metres away from the Two Timber Houses.

This Museum was open in June 1.952 to show how Icelandic people lived in the 18th century. The church (last pic), was built in 1.926.

- Fax: (+354) 453 88 73

Leave a Comment

Phone: (+354) 453 61 73
Website: www.skagafjordur.is/displayer.asp?cat_id=1113
Other Contact: E mail: glaumb@krokur.is

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Akureyri

Tip Rating:

Written by Redang

on Aug 30, 2008

Akureyri (Iceland)

by Redang

Akureyri, "The Capital of the North", is a nice city some 390 kms. north of Reykjavík, and I thing it deserves some hours of visit. So, check the link.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: From Akureyri to Húsavík

Tip Rating:

Updated by Redang

on Aug 31, 2008

Akureyri and fjord Eyjafjöur

(Iceland)

After spending the night in Akureyri, I resumed the trip the morning after. Again, road N1 along the east shoe of fjord Eyjafjöur (see pics); beautiful scenary indeed. After some 17 kms., this road turns right. Then, drive for 29 more kilometers to take, on the left, road #85. Then, 47 more kilometers to Húsavík. This nice town deserves a visit.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: From Húsavík to Ásbyrgi

Tip Rating:

Written by Redang

on Aug 31, 2008

Skjálfandi (Iceland)