Akureyri

Akureyri is at the end of Eyjafjörður (the island-fjord), surrounded by steep mountains on which skiing is possible in winter. It is often referred to as Iceland’s capital of the North. There are numerous shops, restaurants, and bars here. But you’ll also find many sights, such as the Midge Lake (Mývatn) and the beautiful Godafoss waterfall. You’ll learn more about it in my report.

Ships dock very centrally in Akureyri. It’s only about 2 km to the town center. We had booked two excursions through the cruise line. In the morning we planned to explore the surroundings, and in the afternoon there was a horseback riding tour.

Der Mývatn See

From the harbor we moved on through Iceland’s landscape, which kept changing and was consistently impressive. Our guide was a Dutchman who has lived in Iceland for many years. He led us, informative and witty, into Iceland’s history and peculiarities. I rarely have so enjoyed listening to a guide.

Our first stop was at Mývatn (the Midge Lake), which owes its name to the swarms of midges that appear in large numbers in summer. Most of them are harmless non-biting midges, but biting midges also occur. In summer there are two two-week periods during which the non-biting midges form black columns along the lake’s shore.

The midges form the basis of a notable fishery and of a large duck population.

Dimmuborgir

After a short drive we reached Dimmuborgir, a lava field with the remnants of a lava lake. The rock formations resemble ruins of castles and towers; Icelanders regard this place in their mythology as a dwelling for elves and trolls.

Nice to look at, but since we had already visited the Canaries several times, our enthusiasm was somewhat muted.

Der Godafoss

The highlight of this excursion was Godafoss. The water plunges 11 meters deep across a width of 158 meters.

- In Iceland there is a legend for many things, including Godafoss. It is said that the god and law-speaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði Þorkelsson, when it was decided to adopt Christianity in AD 1000, threw all the heathen gods’ images into Godafoss.

Icelandic horses

After a truly worthwhile morning excursion, we headed to the Icelandic horses for a small lunch break. These horses are very robust and can carry adults. The Icelanders place great emphasis on pure breeding; Iceland prohibits the import of Icelandic horses to prevent the introduction of diseases. If an Icelandic horse leaves the island, it may not be reintroduced to Iceland.

The special feature of the Icelandic horses is that, in addition to walk, trot, and canter, they can also perform the gaits called Pass and Tölt. The Tölt is the fastest and most comfortable gait for the rider.

The horses were already ready for us, and after we received riding helmets, we set off in a large group. This excursion is suitable for both experienced riders and beginners, as two groups are formed. Beginners can expect a relaxed walk at a certain point, while experienced riders get the opportunity to experience all the gaits.

A truly highly recommended excursion, where everyone gets their money’s worth.