Day tour in Strandir, Westfjords - In the footsteps of Selkolla

In the footsteps of Selkolla A DAY TOUR IN STRANDIR Westfjords of Iceland

www.selkolla.webnode.com

In the footsteps of Selkolla Following the footsteps of famed saga monster Selkolla, this 10-11 hour long tour through the fjords Steingrímsfjörður and Bjarnarfjörður in Iceland’s magic-infused Strandir region offers a day full of nature hikes through sub-arctic summer tundra and driftwood shores, seal watching, geothermal pool swimming, encounters with ancient trolls, and a visit to The Sorcerer’s Cottage.

Equipment needed: Day backpack, water bottle, sufficient clothes depending on the weather, hiking boots, swim suits and towel. Good footwear is the key to enjoy this trip.

Departure: From Hólmavík Tourist Information Thu–Fri–Sat 16/6 – 20/8 2011 - 09:00 AM Duration: 10-11 hours Included: Guide, bus transfer, entrance to swimming pool,entrance to The Sorcerer’s Cottage, dinner in Hótel Laugarhóll.

Contact: info@holmavik.is Tel: +354 451 3111 Minimum: 2 persons Price: 19.000 ISK

www.selkolla.webnode.com

MAP OF THE ITINIRERY - In the footsteps of Selkolla

3 1/2 HOURS HIKING - In the footsteps of Selkolla We step on the bus at Hólmavík Tourist Information and drive to the old vicarage Staður in Steingrímsfjörður. From there we will hike through a mountain pass to Selárdalur (appr. 3 1/2 hours hike) and have a meeting with the famous Icelandic trolls Kleppa and Þjóðbrók in the canyon Þjóðbrókargil on the way.

On the mountain between the valley’s Staðardalur and Selárdalur is a rocky hill called Steingrímshaugur (Steingrímur Dump). Steingrímur was the name of the land settler in Steingrímsfjörður and is said to buried there. He had choce that place so he could see over his land after his death. It is said that he had hidden a treasure there before he died. Allegedly says that in the grave Steingrímur’s ring has been found, which was later used on the door at the church in Staður.

The church in Staður - built 1855

The hiking path in blue

The canyon Þjóðbrókargil

SEALS, SHARKS & ARCHEOLOGY - In the footsteps of Selkolla The bus will be waiting for us when we get down the mountain again. We drive to the direction of village Drangsnes. We will stop at Hella and try to see some seals by the shore before we continue to Hveravík, an archeological site where there are some remnants of 17. C. Basque whale station. The Old Shark Shed of Hamarsbæli is restored shark shed where we will also stop. It is a wonderful example of a centuries-old method for processing the shark meat which could be vital for survival in times past.

These traditional shark sheds are constructed as shelters for drying lumps of shark meat. Poisonous while fresh, the shark meat is cured by digging it into gravel and letting it stay there for several weeks, after which it is hung from the roof of the shark shed. There the drying process can take months. The roof of the shed is primarily intended to ward off the rain. We will have a change to taste the shark.

Hella

Hveravík

The shark-shed in Hamarsbæli

Hamarsbæli

DRANGSNES AND TROLLS - In the footsteps of Selkolla We arrive to Drangsnes, a fishing village with less than 100 inhabitants.

Drangsnes has a nice restaurant where we can have some refreshment and have a look over to the puffin island Grímsey. The outdoor geothermal pools are popular in the village where they stand by the rocky shore.

We will have a meeting with the most famous troll in Strandir. Kerlingin is one of the trolls who tried to separate the Westfjords from the mainland centuries ago. After the land-settlers came to Iceland the trolls had to flee more north every year. At the end they were all trapped in the Westfjords and then they decided to dig a channel where the Westfjords are most narrow, and create a kingdom of trolls. Several trolls from both sides started to shuffle, but it took them too long and the sun came up and turned them all into stones. Where they are still standing.

The geothermal pools

The island Grímsey

Kerlingin

DRIFTWOOD AND HOT POOLS - In the footsteps of Selkolla We drive to Bjarnarfjörður and we stop for a while in one of the great driftwood coast’s on our way. The driftwood in Strandir has always been important matter and gave the locals change too trade with it in many ways. The driftwood comes all the way from Siberia and ends up by the shores of Strandir.

At Laugarhóll we go for a swimming in the wonderful Gvendarlaug, 25 meter swimming-pool which also has natural geothermal hot pools. We also go to The Sorcerer’s Cottage, one part of The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft. Those who wants to hike more can walk up to the waterfall Goðafoss and have a look at it where it falls down into the deep canyon. We will have dinner at Hótel Laugarhóll before we meet the monster Selkolla on the mountain pass Bjarnarfjarðarháls and drive back to Hólmavík again.

Laugarhóll

The Sorcerer’s Cottage

A natural hot pot by the pool

In the footsteps of Selkolla We head back to the direction to Hólmavík, where we started the journey. The last destination is Selkollusteinn, a great stone, standing seperate on the mountain pass between Bjarnarfjörður and Steingrímsfjörður. The stone had huge impact of the life of a young innocent babygirl, passing through the mountain in the arms of her caretakers, some 900 years ago. The girl later were knowned as, Selkolla.

BACK TO HÓLMAVÍK - In the footsteps of Selkolla We are back to Hólmavík after an enjoyable day. In Hólmavík and surrounding you can find good accommodation and a nice restaurant for dining. In Hólmavík is also the famous Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft. You can find good hiking paths in the hills above the village and a nice swimming pool by the camping ground. You can also enjoy the magic of the Icelandic horse in a short horsetrip, just outside the village. You can also take a short boat tour from Hólmavík and in only 10 minutes drive south of the village is The Icelandic Sheep Center.

ACCCOMMODATION Finna Hotel - www.finnahotel.is Steinhúsið - www.steinhusid.is Kirkjuból - www.strandir.is/kirkjubol HORSETRIPS Strandahestar - www.strandahestar.is

Westfjords of Iceland is European Destination of Excellence

Contact: info@holmavik.is Tel: +354 451 3111 www.holmavik.is/info