Eskifjörður

Oddsskard is a pass between the villages Eskifjörður and Norðfjörður. The year 1949 saw the road construction and between1974-1977 a tunnel was dug to facilitate communication.
Close to the pass you´ll find one of the best ski resorts in Iceland, nicknamed "The Eastern Fjords´ Alps". In the wintertime these delightful and versatile hills simply call out to skiers to come and enjoy. There are hills to fit the needs of all ages and different capacities.

Mjóeyri is a delightful place on the outskirts of Eskifjörður. There is a lighthouse and a delightful shorelina, where birds and sea shells are to be found. For tourists it is an oasis and a horn of plenty: Guided tours, a boat- rental, angling, good food and highly agreeable accommodation.
Mjóeyri has a historical past as the last place of execution, on Sept. 30th 1786. The final resting place of the late convict can be found here.

Hólmatindur is the mountain every inhabitant in Eskifjörður cherishes, towering 985 m. above sea level. It´s not an easy climb to the top but the stunning view is a reward in itself and worth your exertions. Once on the top the valiant mountaineer can write his /her name in a guestbook, and subsequently obtain one stamp in a succession of 5 needed in order to get the title Mountain Conqueror. This being an initiative organized by the local hiking club Ferðafélag Fjarðamanna.

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Situated some distance above the highway connecting the villages Reyðarfjörður and Eskifjörður is the burial mound of a prophetess said to be a guardian angel of the area. According to legend, as long as her bones remain intact - and the cairn indicating the site is maintained - the prophetess will continue to fulfil her protective role. Thus, in 1627 as the Algerian pirates who had previously pillaged the South and the Westmann Islands, approached the eastern shore, the cunning lady produced a fog so massive that the scoundrels were compelled to take to sea and abandon their lugubrious plans of manhunt and massacre.

Helgustaðanáma is an old Icelandic spar mine, located above the trail leading from Eskifjörður til Vödlavík inlet. It is partially open to visitors and there is good walking path leading up to it.

All removal of the spar is forbidden and the area is a protected nature reserve.

The Icelandic spar is made out of especially pure cristalls of calsit. Characteristic for the Icelandic spar in Helgustaðanáma is its size, purity and clarity. The spar was used in telescopes and other technical instruments in times gone by. Icelandic spar can be found in several stone collections and geological museums around the world.