From Skagafjorur, we took the long way by adding a 50-mile scenic drive around the Trollaskagi Peninsula. The route took us along the beautiful coastline.
We parked at the Holar University and walked down the hill to the Holar Cathedral, completed in 1757. The church tower had a stairway to the top of the steeple.
As we drove, the road climbed above the fjord. We encountered large vistas and sections of gravel road.
THE HERRING MUSEUM IN SILDARMINJASAFN
Herring was a principal industry in Iceland in the 20th century. Modern society in Iceland actually developed around the herring industry. Around 1968 the herring industry collapsed due to overfishing. Before the collapse, herring accounted for up to half of Icelands export income.
The Salting Station, one of the largest in Iceland, where the Norwegian-owned factory cranked out 30,000 barrels of salted herring in the year 1916 alone. The worker dormitory for the "herring girls" was on the top floor.
The living quarters of the "herring girls," housed up to 50 girls at a time.
The boat house displays a typical herring port from 1938 to 1954. The Boathouse displays a jammed harbor at its peak. There are many fishing vessels displayed as they were in times past.
SK33 was built in 1936 of oak and had a hold capacity of 33 tons. She was used for many types of fishing but displayed here as a herring fishing vessel.
"Herring Girls" also worked on the dock cutting and sorting herring.
A brand-new art piece honoring the "Herring Girls" sits on the dock.
This heavy machinery is where some of the catch was processed into oil or fishmeal (for livestock feed).
GISLI EIRKUR HELGI KAFFE HOUSE AND BAKERY, DALVIK
This coffeehouse is named for three comically "backward brothers" of Iceland lore.
We stopped for lunch in Dalvik for a soup and bread buffet which are quite common in Iceland. We would never have found this rather obscure coffeehouse had it not been for a recommendation from Rick Steve's Iceland Guide. Family run, they had great soup and homemade bread. The coffee was good too.
The cafe has great views of the fjord from the second-floor tables.
GOSBRUNNUR AKUREYRI BOTANICAL GARDENS
These beautiful gardens were located in the center of Akureyri and were a nice stop before getting to our BnB for the evening.
The northernmost botanical garden was home to some most unusual plants.
STUDIO BY THE SEA
We parked our trusty Mazda 2 rental in front of this duplex BnB which overlooks the fjord.
In the vestibule between the apartments a washer and dryer were available. We were very happy to put these to use.
This small cabin was our favorite Air BnB of the trip.
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