Múlagöng (Ólafsfjarðargöng)

Background

History & Background

Múlagöng opened in 1991 and provided a far more reliable road connection between Ólafsfjörður and the Dalvík/Eyjafjörður side of Tröllaskagi. It was one of the earlier modern road tunnels built to improve year-round access to isolated Icelandic communities.

Múlagöng, commonly called Ólafsfjarðargöng, carries Route 82 through the mountain between the Dalvík side of Eyjafjörður and Ólafsfjörður. The tunnel is approximately 3.4 kilometres long and opened in 1991. The tunnel was a major improvement for Ólafsfjörður, replacing a much more exposed mountain route and helping create more dependable road access toward Akureyri and the rest of Eyjafjörður. It is still unusual for modern visitors because it is a long single-lane tunnel with designated passing places. Múlagöng should not be treated as a place to stop or walk. Its interest is as part of the driving experience around Tröllaskagi and as an example of how tunnels changed transport and settlement connections in Iceland's steep northern fjords. Drivers should use headlights, obey signs and be prepared to yield at passing places.