Spannende Rafting-Tour in Nordisland | ab 18 Jahren

North Iceland is very popular area in Iceland and contains some of the best attractions on the island. Akureyri is the capital of North Iceland and is the second largest "city" in Iceland. Around 20.000 people live in North Iceland.

The North coast has four major fjords (or bays) with mountain ridges between them and each of the fjords has corresponding agricultural districts.

The main districts are: Hunathing, Skagafjordur district, Eyjafjordur district and the amazing Thingeyjarsysla county, home to Lake Myvatn. 

More attractions in the amazing Thingeyjasysla are mentioned below. Note that the first three areas are geologically speaking ancient formations, while Thingeyjasysla is recent and full of volcanic activity, young lava fields and tuff mountains.

Siglufjordur and Grimsey island are also part of the north but listed separately.

Eyjafordur

In Eyjafjörður is the capital of the North, Akureyri with 17.000 inhabitants. It is a very charming town and highly popular with travelers, so we advise you not to miss it. Many cruisers land in the port of the town.

The older part of Akureyri is particularly worth a stroll. If you like skiing or snowboarding, one of the best skiing sites in the country is located nearby.

We also recommend the botanical gardens there, fine restaurants and many interesting museums, such as Davidshus and Nonnahus, dedicated to the memory of poet David Stefansson and Jon Sveinson, author of the Nonnabaekur ('Nonni’s books'). 

Not far from Akureyri is the unique turf framhouse of Laufas, a museum and a prime example of the old architecture and farmlife. Also not far from Akureyri are the submarine geothermal silica cones of Strytur, a natural wonder and an excellent place for a dive.

One of Iceland's most beloved poets, Jonas Hallgrimsson was born in Eyjafjordur, at the farm Hraun in Oxnadalur valley and the knife-edged lava peaks there are particularly stunning. Also essential when traveling in the area is the beautiful and peaceful island Hrisey, often called 'The Pearl of Eyjafjordur'.

Siglufjordur

Siglufjordur has the distinction of not falling under the regular four part division, as it straddles the border of Eyjafjordur and Skagafjordur. Here we highly recommend the herring era museum and the folk music museum. Indeed, Siglufjordur hosts an annual folk music festival that is truly worth experiencing.

Hunathing

Among major attractions in Hunathing are the Regional Museum at Reykir in Hrutafjordur, the Seal Watching Center at Vatnsnes and the Arnarvatnsheidi heath, with a large numbers of ponds and lakes full of trout.

Skagafjordur

In Skagafjordur, the largest town of which is Saudarkrokur, we particularly recommend the historical bishop’s seat of Holar and the agricultural university there, the Glaumbaer museum, and Drangey island.

Thingeyjarsysla 

Thingeyjarsysla county is the home of the beautiful waterfalls Godafoss and Aldeyjarfoss as well as the amazing Lake Myvatn with its fascinating pseudocraters and rich birdlife.

Near Myvatn is the chaotic lava field Dimmuborgir, a truly amazing sight (and paid homeage to by the Norwegian Black Metal band of the same name).

Husavik is the whale watching capital of the North so don’t miss that one either.

The Jokulsargljufur National Park is home to some of Iceland's most beloved natural attractions,  Holmatungur, Hljodaklettar and the Asbyrgi canyon. In the river Jokulsa a Fjollum is Europe's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss. 

At the Melrakkasletta peninsula you can see fascinating birdlife and there is good trout fishing to be made there. Seals may be sighted as well as whales off the coast. The vegetation is rich and this is an ideal place to enjoy the midnight sun. Northern lights may also be spotted from late August to early April.

Grimsey

Far north, straddling the Arctic Circle is Grimsey island, the northernmost inhabited territory of Iceland, with a population of about 100 people. It is renowned for its fishermen, its rich vegetation and birdlife.

Austari-Jokulsa (East Jokulsa River), 'The Beast of the East', is a glacier river in Skagafjordur district. With its strong stream, wild canyon scenery and heart-pumping whitewater, it is considered one of the best rivers in Europe for rafting. 

The river has its source near the glacier Hofsjokull through several rivulets north to Asturdalur valley, with several tributaries joining it along the way. Inner off the valley it flows through river islands, later falling into a deep canyon. It then goes on to join Vestari Jokulsa as Heradsvotn.

The base camp for rafting tours on this river and Vestari Jokulsa is called Hafgrimsstadir. The camp, located in Skagafjordur, lies around 15 km from Highway 1, just before the arrival to Varmahlid.

Austurdalur is a valley in Skagafjordur district in Northwest Iceland. The mighty glacier river Austari Jokulsa runs through the valley and puts its mark on the whole area. The river is popular for rafting and the flora in the area is varid.

Innermost of the valley is a deep gully through which the river runs down and joins Vestari Jokulsa to form Heradsvotn. This gully in particular is highly popular for rafters.

In Fagrahlid there's a natural forest of birch and willow. River Beauty Willowherbs, and angelica grow in the gullys and on the river islands. The perilous Merkigil gully, carved by the river, is also an impressive sight.