Fróðárheiði
| Fróðárheiði | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Compass direction | Northwest | southeast | |
| Pass height | 361 m above sea level NN | ||
| region | Vesturland , Iceland | ||
| Valley locations | Ólafsvík | Búðir | |
| expansion | Pass road | ||
| Map (Vesturland) | |||
|
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| Coordinates | 64 ° 51 '44 " N , 23 ° 31' 5" W | ||
Fróðárheiði is a plateau and pass road in the west of Iceland . At its highest point at the Rjúpnaborgir , it is 361 m high.
The pass is located in the west of the Snæfellsnes peninsula . The road above connects Búðir in the south with Ólafsvík in the north.
Old connection route over the Fróðárheiði
An old connection route has crossed the mountains more or less at this point since the beginning of the Icelandic Free State. Despite its exposure, it was often used because Búðir in the south of Snæfellsnes was an important trading post. Near the mountain Mælifell , a Liparitberg near Búðir , where the road begins in the south, you can see the remains of the old connecting roads, e.g. B. recognize very well.
The path was notorious. On the one hand, the area is one of the stormiest in the country in winter. On the other hand, you could easily get lost in fog and clouds or blizzards and then crash over the nearby cliffs of Knarrarklettir .
The superstition covered the area with many legends about ghosts and monsters that were supposed to be living here, one of which was said to live in Lake Valavatn .
Today's street 54
The pass road is part of the Snæfellsnesvegur 
and is now well developed.
It begins a little west of Búðir and leads over a steep ascent on the eastern slope of Mount Axlahyrna up to the hill. At the Rjúpnaborgir it reaches its highest point at 361 m, only to then slowly lead back down into the valley. You will pass an emergency hut and a ski lift. A little to the west of the road is the notorious Draugagil gorge (German: the ghost gorge ).
On the way to Ólafsvík you then cross a somewhat marshy area, which produces good forage. Trout can be caught in Lake Valavatn.
In winter, however, people still often prefer to take a detour than to cross the Heiði.
See also
Web links
- Image: View from the pass in southeast direction
- On the downward winds on Iceland, including Fróðárheiði (English; PDF file; 758 kB)
- Wind measurements by the Icelandic road watch on the Fróðárheiði
Individual evidence
- ↑ For understanding: vindhraði = wind speed; vindhviður = gusts of wind, gusts; Hans-Ulrich Schmid: Dictionary Icelandic-German. Hamburg, 2001.