Drangey

Drangey rises like a fortress from the middle of Skagafjörður and is one of the region's most distinctive natural landmarks. The island is a steep palagonite cliff about 180 metres high, surrounded by rich fishing waters and nesting ledges used by large numbers of seabirds. Puffins are a major summer attraction, alongside guillemots, kittiwakes and other cliff-nesting species. The island is equally important in Icelandic storytelling. Drangey is famously connected with Grettir Ásmundarson, known as Grettir the Strong, the outlaw hero of Grettis saga. The story of his refuge on the island gives the landscape an unusually direct connection between natural scenery and medieval literature. Visiting Drangey is an adventure rather than a roadside stop. Boat trips depart from the Skagafjörður area, and guided visits may include a steep ascent using established paths and ladders. Conditions at sea and on the cliff matter, so access is seasonal and weather-dependent. For visitors who make the journey, the reward is a combination of close seabird encounters, wide fjord views and one of North Iceland's most memorable saga sites.