Looking for what to see in Eastern Iceland? Here are the main towns in the area!

Egilsstaðir

is the largest city in eastern Iceland, which lies on the banks of the river Lagarfljot. There are fabulous landscapes to discover and many cultural events to enjoy. The area surrounding Egilsstaðir Is magnificent with many mountains but also several forests, although these are rather rare in Iceland. The flora and fauna are varied, and you may be lucky enough to see wild reindeer, which are only found in this part of the country.

What to see in Eastern Iceland?

Selskógur

is a forest, near the river Eyvindara, which has many marked trails for those who like short or long walks. You can also picnic there, go there to run, play with your children or whatever … The forest of Hallormsstaður is the largest in Iceland and covers almost 740 hectares. It is also a popular hiking spot and you can find more than 80 species of trees. There are two campsites available in the area: Atlavík or Höfðavík.

What to see in Eastern Iceland?

The cascade of Hengifoss is one of the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland and probably one of the most famous sites. It is 128 meters in height and is made up of several layers of rock. To view it you can follow a path that starts from the parking lot, or choose to follow the river if you are traveling in summer.

What to see in Eastern Iceland?

To the west of the Dyrfjöll Mountains, the site of Stóruð is reachable on foot after a 2 or 3-hour walk, starting from the neck in Vatnsskarð Borgarfjördur. It is an exceptional place where huge rocks form an impressive field, which becomes green and lush in the summer time.

The Sænautasel farm, near Jökuldalsheiði, was inhabited until 1880, but had to be abandoned following heavy ash fall from the volcano Askja, in the eruption of 1875. Halldór Laxness is said to have used this farm as inspiration for his novel “Independent People“. Today, it is possible to visit the farm during the summer.

What to see in Eastern Iceland?

Skriðuklaustur

is a mansion in the Fljótsdalur Valley, which also contains ruins of a sixteenth century monastery. In 1939, the writer Gunnar Gunnarsson (1889 – 1975) moved from Denmark to Skriðklaustur and built a large house there per the plans of the German architect Fritz Höger. Gunnarsson moved to Reykjavík in 1948 and gave Skriðklaustur to the Icelandic nation as a gift. Today it is a cultural centre open to the public.

What to see in Eastern Iceland?

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