Aurora Reflections on Stokksnes
Credit: Swen Stroop
FIND ICELANDIC SPIRIT ALONG
THE ARCTIC COAST WAY
BY DEBRA BOKUR
You can put your Björk music on a permanent loop, dive into the
magic and mayhem of the Saga tales, chow down every morning
on creamy skyr topped with cloudberries, and still not have a real
handle on Iceland. What will give you a solid grip (and likely turn
you into a serious fan) is to head north to the Arctic Coast Way.
Called Norðurstrandarleið in Icelandic, this island nation’s
first official tourist drive takes in a 560-mile expanse from
Hvammstangi on the Vatnsnes peninsula to the northeastern
village of Bakkafjörður, skirted by a deep fjord of the same name.
All in all, there are 21 picturesque towns and colorful fishing
villages to explore, plus shimmering fjords, craggy shorelines, and
stunning rock formations, like the towering column in Blönduós
and the stair-like basalt columns at Hofsós, along the way.
The important thing is to take your time — nine full days if
possible — stop often, and breathe deep.
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 40 SPRING 2020
Icelandic Turf Houses
Credit: Vadim Nefedov