Grímsey – Road to Nowhere Mixed trail (both hiking and cycling)
A walk that starts from the village and leads to the northernmost part of the island. Along the way, you pass the cliffs, the old and new Arctic Circle markers, and cross the Arctic Circle itself.
More information
Region
Norðurland, Akureyrarbær
Starting point
66.538305, -18.018659 (66° 32.298'N, 18° 1.120'W)
Markings
Sign(s) at the starting point of the trail
Duration
1 - 2 hours
Surface
- Grass
- Mixed surface - e.g. soil, stones, grass
- Pavement - e.g. asphalt or concrete
Obstacles
Aqueduct - A ditch or a chute to divert water
Sometimes puddles form along the trail
Hazards
- Slippery trail
- Car traffic
- Cyclist traffic
- Horse traffic
Service on the trail
No service
Lighting
Unilluminated
Period
Open all seasons
Hike from the village to the northernmost part of the island. Along the way, you will pass bird cliffs, the old and new Arctic Circle markers, cross the Arctic Circle itself, and continue out to the island’s northernmost tip.
The hike begins by the harbor in the village. From there, walk towards the airport and into the parking area by the airstrip. Continue past the hangar and the guesthouse Básar.
North of the guesthouse, you can see the old Arctic Circle marker, known as “the signpost and the bridge.” From there, follow a grassy path down to the gravel road along the shoreline. Turn right and follow the road up to Básavík, an impressive bay surrounded by high bird cliffs.
Please be careful not to walk too close to the edge, as puffins have dug burrows into the cliffs, making the ground unstable.
Return to the gravel road and head uphill, continuing north toward the north tip of the island. To reach the northernmost point, you will need to walk down a steep slope. Along the way, you will see the new Arctic Circle monument, “ORBIS et GLOBUS” (Circle and Sphere), where you can step across the Arctic Circle.
Continue out to the outermost edge, where the track ends!
Please be careful not to walk too close to the edge, as puffins have dug burrows into the cliffs, making the ground unstable.
Return to the gravel road and head uphill, continuing north toward the north tip of the island. To reach the northernmost point, you will need to walk down a steep slope. Along the way, you will see the new Arctic Circle monument, “ORBIS et GLOBUS” (Circle and Sphere), where you can step across the Arctic Circle.
Continue out to the outermost edge, where the track ends!
Return to the village the same way you came, though you may wish to take small detours to admire the cliffs and birdlife.
Please note that the stated distance refers to one way only, and the estimated time assumes that people stop to observe the birds. To calculate the total distance, multiply the one-way distance by two and the same applies for the time!.
Please note that the stated distance refers to one way only, and the estimated time assumes that people stop to observe the birds. To calculate the total distance, multiply the one-way distance by two and the same applies for the time!.