# To the Capital of the North – Akureyri - Link: https://mywalkabout.net/to-the-capital-of-the-north-akureyri/ - Published: 2023-09-09T05:57:56-07:00 - Author: My Walkabout **I didn’t sleep much on my first night in Iceland,** mostly from excitement and anticipation of what today could bring….I get out of Reykjavik before the morning traffic, and soon find myself on highway 1. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GPTempDownload. jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1) **I find driving in Iceland easy**, mostly due to the country driving on the same side of the road as the USA. More two lane roundabouts than I am used to, but I get the logic and they don’t cause me any problems. I do go through my first undersea tunnel though, which was quite the experience. I emerge from the tunnel to find that the morning rain has dissipated. I can barely handle the scenery and landscapes around me. Seemingly I would find a new soul enriching, life affirming, awe inspiring beauty every five god damn minutes. I soon come to realize that I can’t stop to photograph everything, or I would never make it to my final destination each day. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/HipstamaticPhoto- 713349842.437094.jpg?resize=640%2C457&ssl=1) **I find a small village to explore**, thinking I would get a cup of coffee but instead find a dirt road that calls my name. I just wander down it for a spell, taking in my epic surroundings. After this I decide to venture off highway 1 and try to find Barnafoss, my first waterfall. The country road to Barnafoss is in itself a true delight, full of beautiful glacial valleys and iconic mountains far off in the distance. Eventually I make it to Barnafoss itself, and I have to remember to breathe….. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GPTempDownload- 10.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1) **The blue glacial water** is stunning, and the water seems to magically emerge from the ground itself before falling into the mighty river. The place also has a very haunted aura about it, which I learn about soon enough… “_Many Icelandic folk tales have been associated with Barnafoss, the most famous being about two boys from a nearby farm, Hraunsás. One day, the boys’ parents went with their ploughmen to a church. The boys were supposed to stay at home, but as they grew bored they decided to follow their parents. They made a shortcut and crossed a [natural stone-bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_bridge) that was above the waterfall. But on their way, they felt dizzy and fell into the water and drowned. When their mother found out what had happened, she put a [spell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_(paranormal)) on the bridge saying that nobody would ever cross it without drowning himself._“ ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GPTempDownload- 4.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1) **After leaving Barnafoss**, I see a canyon that just begs for me to hike it. I am the only person at the trailhead. I enter this canyon and feel the power of this volcanic land coursing through my bones. The small river that carved this landscape over a millenia still flows, and I can hear music emanating from the babbling water. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GPTempDownload- 16.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1) **After this hike **I see that I still have quite a few miles before I reach my destination, so I stop diddling around and get to driving. After a couple of hours I seem to be back on schedule so I stop at Grabrok crater. I should have just enough time to climb to the top and get a scenic viewing of my current surroundings before continuing onward to Akureyri. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_7745.jpg?resize =640%2C480&ssl=1) **The afternoon is quickly disappearing**, but I make it to the Capital of the North right at 4 p.m. I find the Forest Lagoon and go enjoy my second soak. Enjoying the natural hot spring baths is part of Icelandic culture, and something I really get into. It soothes my muscles and elevates my spirit perfectly. ![](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_7754.jpg?resize =640%2C373&ssl=1) **After my soak** I check into my hotel for the next two nights. I have a lovely meal and start planning out my adventures for the following day. ### Share this: * [ Email ](https://mywalkabout.net/to-the-capital-of-the-north-akureyri/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20To%20the%20Capital%20of%20the%20North%20-%20Akureyri&body=https%3A%2F%2Fmywalkabout.net%2Fto-the-capital-of-the-north-akureyri%2F&share=email) * [Post](https://x.com/share) * [Share on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/share) * [ WhatsApp ](https://mywalkabout.net/to-the-capital-of-the-north-akureyri/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Nextdoor ](https://mywalkabout.net/to-the-capital-of-the-north-akureyri/?share=nextdoor) * [ Threads ](https://mywalkabout.net/to-the-capital-of-the-north-akureyri/?share=threads) * [[ * [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) * [ Reddit ](https://mywalkabout.net/to-the-capital-of-the-north-akureyri/?share=reddit) ### Like this: Like Loading…