{"id":66,"date":"2024-07-20T07:37:12","date_gmt":"2024-07-20T07:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hm-travels.com\/?page_id=66"},"modified":"2024-07-20T07:37:14","modified_gmt":"2024-07-20T07:37:14","slug":"nordurland-vestra-northwestern-region","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hm-travels.com\/?page_id=66","title":{"rendered":"Nor\u00f0urland vestra, Northwestern Region"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nor\u00f0urland vestra or the Northwestern region is the area between the Westfjords and the north-eastern region. Its ”capital” is Sau\u00f0\u00e1rkr\u00f3kur. It starts on the land on the east side of Bitrufj\u00f6r\u00f0ur and ends in the middle of the Tr\u00f6llaskagi peninsula. It is well known for the Vatsnes peninsula. Here you can find Hv\u00edtserkur and a lot of seals. Also, the upper half of Hofsj\u00f6kull is in Nor\u00f0urland vestra.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hvammstangi<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"The<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Hvammstangi is one of the bigger towns in this region. It is on Vatsnes and the perfect stop to stay if you want to explore the area. In this town there is a Seal Centre<\/a> with a museum telling you everything about pinnipeds. In this centre they can help you find the best spot to see seals. There is one way going north out of Hvammstangi (711). This road will guide you around the peninsula past some scenic places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Folklore<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"The<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you drive around Vatsnes you will pass Hv\u00edtserkur<\/strong>. This is a big rock formation rising out of the ocean. It means White shirt<\/em>. This is because of all the bird droppings. The geological story is, of course, a rock formation lifting out of the sea, stabilized so it doesn’t fall. The more fun explanation behind this rock formation is that this rock used to be a troll. This Troll was so angry at the bells of the \u00deingeyraklaustur convent. That in this anger and rage he lost track of time and didn’t notice that the sun was already rising. So, unfortunately for him, he turned to stone, on the spot that we can still see him today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wildlife<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Grey<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you were to visit Hv\u00edtserkur and its inhabitants, you should consider going on the right path as well. This path will lead you to a beach. Follow this to the right as well. If you do, you will end up on the opposite side of a beach where seals<\/strong> often like to tan. This is the ”neck” between H\u00fanafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur and Sigr\u00ed\u00f0arsta\u00f0avatn. Here you can also spot seabirds<\/strong>. When we were there we saw a lot of Arctic Terns, Eider and Fulmar. We also found a dead puffin, but we didn’t spot a living one at that time. There should be more spots on Vatsnes to spot seals, but in June the Eiders are nesting, so we weren’t allowed on the other spots. We were told that most of the spots are private land which is open to the public, but the owners can close it when they please.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vikings<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"in<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Have you seen the Netfilx series Vikings? Then you have seen the character Floki. This Floki really existed and really did go to Iceland to settle. He had a rough winter in Vatnsfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur, was not so happy with the place anymore and returned home. But he was convinced by a member of the group, \u00de\u00f3r\u00f3lfur smj\u00f6r, that Iceland a good place, that every straw in this land was covered in butter and that they should return to this golden land. Floki was convinced and returned to Iceland to stay until his death. Be had built a farm on Tr\u00f6llaskagi and eventually died here. It is said that there are two memorial stones for Floki. It is unsure if this is his burial place because it is quite far from his farm. Nonetheless, two new stones are placed on the spot you can find as ”Hrafna Floki<\/strong>”. This is because Floki never left the harbour without 3 ravens to guide him, therefore he was named Hrafna Floki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"The<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What is the best souvenir you can take home, accept for pictures, stories and candy? A Lopapeysa (Icelandic knitted sweater), of course! Most of them are handmade by locals and because it takes a lot of time, and a lot of wool, they have a higher price than you usually spend on a souvenir. So if you want an Icelandic product, but rather spend a little less, you could buy one at the Kidka Wool shop<\/a>. It is connected to the factory, in which you can take a look if you visit the shop. If you are looking for a handmade one, you should visit the Handknitting association<\/a> in Reykjav\u00edk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roadtrip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Driving here is wonderful. The area is beautiful and even following the paved roads and the 1 is amazing. But, there are a lot of smaller roads going towards the highlands which seem to be amazing. There is the 35, I can’t see if this is an F road, but it looks like one. The 35 takes you over the highlands between Hofsj\u00f6kull and Langj\u00f6kull. I love to drive it one day. It looks like a lot of fun if the roads are open. If you want to visit this area, take your time driving other roads than the 1. You will see and experience a lot more of this beautiful region.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Do you want to know more about this, or do you need a hand planning your adventurous trip? Don’t hesitate and send me a message. If you would like to know more about other regions of Iceland than check out the Regions of Iceland<\/a> page. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nor\u00f0urland vestra or the Northwestern region is the area between the Westfjords and the north-eastern […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":246,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-66","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nNor\u00f0urland vestra, Northwestern Region - Huginn & Muninn Travels Northwestern region seals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover all the Northwestern region has the offer, like seal spotting, beautiful nature or parts of the islands history like Hrafna Floki.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hm-travels.com\/?page_id=66\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Nor\u00f0urland vestra, Northwestern Region - 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