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Activities and
sightseeing In Skagafjörður it is
possible to make longer or shorter trips, as there are many interesting places to see. As
Sölvanes is located near the middle of the area, it is a convenient middle-point from
which to make various sightseeing-trips, either towards the see or the highlands.
Nature
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Drangey
Off the middle of the shore of Skagafjörður stands the island Drangey. In clear weather
the island can be seen from the hills above Sölvanes. It is considered to be a paradise
for birds, bird- watchers and lovers of nature. In good weather there are daily boat-trips
from Sauðárkrókur to the island, each trip takes about five hours. |
Drangey
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Mælifell
West from Sölvanes is the mountain Mælifellshnjúkur (1138 m.). From the top of it there
is a fantastic view over Skagafjörður, to the see and in to highlands. There is a marked
hiking- path to the top starting from the small valley Mælifellsdalur. The walk up takes
about two hours. |
Mælifellshnjúkur, photo:Eydís
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Austurdalur
Towards the highland, Skagafjöður devides into three valleys; Svartárdalur, Vesturdalur
and Austurdalur. The river Jökulsá eystri flows down Austurdalur, in a fabulous canyon.
Near the desolated farm Skatastaðir is a ferry, suspended in mid-air (in working order)
where people used to pull themselves across. Full caution must be when the ferry is used,
as the river is dangerous. The beautiful gorge Merkigil can be seen across from the road. [back] |
The ferry, photo: Máni
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Sigthseeing and museums
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Glaumbær
Eight km. north of Varmahlíð on the road to Sauðárkrókur is the folk museum
Glaumbær, dating from 1750-1879. The gives a great overview of the daily life of our
forefathers. |
Glaumbær in
Skagafjörður
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Reykir
At the farm Reykir there is a small but interesting folk museum. The farmer Kristján
Jóhannesson has rebuilt the old family-farmhouse, dating from the last century.
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Víðimýrarkirkja
The church at Víðimýri was built at 1834 of turf and driftwood and it is an exellent
example of a typical icelandic building period. In the church there are church ornaments
from previous churches, such as the pulpit and the picture over the altar, dating 1616.
1616. [back] |
The church at
Víðimýri
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Activities in and around Sölvanes
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"Göngur"
(sheep gathering) and "réttir" (sorting the sheep)
It is getting more and more populare among tourists to join the local
people in this traditional highlight of the year. Sölvanes is
the perfect place to stay with several such events close by. |
Stafnsrétt í Svartárdal, photo:
Eydís
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Rafting
For those who seek adventure and risk, rafting down Jökulsá eystri or Jökulsá vestari
is a great experience. The sailors will a new view of the beauty of Skagafjörður. |
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Svimming
Because natural hot water comes up from the earth in many places in Skagafjörður - just
as in the rest of Iceland - there are many swimming pools and hot pots. After a hard day
of travelling it is nice to rest in the warm water. The nearest swimming pools to
Sölvanes are in Steinsstaðir, Varmahlíð and Sauðárkrókur.
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Horses and riding
Skagafjörður is famous for its horses. Here there are many possibillities of longer or
shorter riding tours, organized by some of the horse rentals or riding-trip organizers.
The nearest horse rental is only a few minutes drive from Sölvanes. |
The annual group tour
"Brennureið",photo: Eydís
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Fishing
In Skagafjörður there are many salmon and trout rivers. The guests at Sölvanes can fish
trout, free! in the river Svartá, that runs just past the farm. [back] |
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Homepage
- More information - Accommodation - Iceland-Links
Sölvanes, IS-560 Varmahlíð, Island +++
Tel. 00 354 / 453 80 68 +++ solvanesskag@simnet.is
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