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Höfn - Culture |
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Hornafjordur´s economy revolves around fishing and fish processing. The harbour of Höfn (which literally means Harbour) is one of the best in the country. Agriculture dominates the area around Höfn, which is known for good potatoes and excellent lamb which is exported fresh to Europe. A growing number of people are employed in tourism. English is widely spoken and people are always at hand to help you.
In National Park Skaftafell a Guest Office was opened in the summer of 1999. There you will be able to learn much more about the glacier, volcanic eruptions and the great flood in Skeidara 1996. Approximately 60 thousand people visit the National Park annually and agree that it is truly beautiful. It is possible to go hiking for longer or shorter walks in Skaftafell, fly with Jórvík Aviation over the area or simply relax at the beautifully located camping place. The Ingólfshöfði (or Ingolf’s cape) area offers bird lovers a unique experience. In a hay chart from the company "From Coast to Mountain" you can ride out to the cape and enjoy the company of Sigurdur, who seems to be able to make people of all nations understand his Icelandic. You will probably already have seen photos from the Glacier Lagoon or Jökulsárlón. There boats from the company Jökulsárlón take people sailing among the spectacular icebergs that glow white, blue and black the icy water.
At Höfn there are various things to do. At the harbour you can see the small boats coming in with fresh fish or go to the local handicraft marked in the old Pakkhús. The Folk Museum, which is situated in the oldest building in town, or Gamlabúð, has a beautiful collection of stuffed birds and other animals and various historical artefacts. At Höfn there is a beautiful golf course with a view to the glacier and the rugged mountains, frequented and admired by people from near and far.
For those interested in horse riding there are four horse rental services in Hornafjörður. Furthest west there are Svínafell and Hof, close to Skaftafell, Hrollauggstaðir is near the Glacier Lagoon and Árnanes is right next to Höfn. The area offers various walking paths for people of all ages. For those interested in birds, it is a unique place to visit. Migrating birds will arrive there already in May and leave late in autumn. Everywhere in the area you can find accommodation to suit your taste. You can be sure to meet friendly staff and receive excellent service. The choice of restaurants is of equal variety. The main emphasis is of course on seafood and lamb but you can also get burgers, pizza and crepes if that is your choice. Many restaurants are licensed to sell beer and wine. Heated swimming pools are in Svínafell and Höfn. |
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The
municipality of Hornafjordur is one of the largest in Iceland, from
Skeidara in the West to Lón in the East. The area is dominated by
Europe’s biggest glacier, Vatnajökull. It is inhibited by
approximately 2.500 people, around 1.700 of whom live in the town of Höfn.
The area is easily accessible all year round and is frequented by tourists
from all over the world, here you can find many of the most spectacular
places in Iceland, Vatnajökull, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón, Ingólfshöfði
(Ingólf’s peak), Lónsöræfi and the town of Höfn. You can
fly to Höfn with Air Iceland, take the coach with Austurleið, or
drive.
The
biggest event in Hornafjordur in the year 2000 will be a glacier
exhibition that will be conducted from National Park Skaftafell in the
west to Höfn in the east. In both places there will be an exhibition with
artefacts and educational material connected to the glacier. In between
these two places, there will be various interesting things to see and
experience.
Vatnajökull
itself is of course the dominating natural phenomenon of the area. You can
do more than just to look at it; Glacier Tours, Glacier Jeeps and From
Coast to Mountain offer excursions to the Glacier. You can explore Vatnajökull
by snow track, skis, jeeps or set off on your own snowmobile adventure.
Furthest
to the east you find Lónsöræfi, a popular hiking area that offers
extremely colourful scenery of mountains, vegetation and ice. Companies Lónsöræfi
and Stafafell offer guides tours to Lónsöræfi. 