Travellers who reach Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon will have been treated to some extraordinary landscapes. You can be forgiven for thinking that the iceberg strewn lagoon with its wonderful backdrop of the Fjallsjökull glacier would be hard to top. Nevertheless, road trippers will delight in what’s to come, as East Iceland is one of the most picturesque and unspoilt regions of the country. Those who drive between Höfn and Egilsstaðir will relish the scenery that unfolds along the way. In this article, we’ll show you what you might expect and make some suggestions for places you can explore en-route as well as many of these spots are popular Instagram locations.
VESTARHORN MOUNTAIN
Leaving Iceland’s lobster capital Höfn in Hornafjörður behind, make the short drive along the coast as far as the Stokksnes Peninsula. The reason for its popularity should be glaringly obvious as soon as you arrive: from here you’ll enjoy one of the most striking views in Iceland. The craggy outline that belongs to the mountain Vestrahorn rises dramatically behind a broad swath of sand littered with clumps of grasses. Rising to a height of 454 metres, this rocky outcrop is formed mostly from gabbro, a coarse-grained igneous rock created when magma has cooled slowly. If you can, aim to be there when a shallow film of water covers the beach. On a fine day, the shape of Vestrahorn is mirrored beneath it, making this the darling of visiting photographers and Instagram influencers often post photos from this location. It’s a jaw-dropping panorama and doesn’t disappoint.
SKÚTAFOSS WATERFALL
Pick up the ring road again and you’ll soon reach a pretty waterfall called Skútafoss. Compared to those further west such as Skógafoss and Svartifoss, it’s not that tall – only about 6 metres – but as at Seljalandsfoss it’s possible to get an unusual, framed view of its surroundings, in this case from the cave that lends the falls their Icelandic name. It’s also often overlooked, tucked away and hidden from sight until you’re almost upon it thanks to the meander of the Þorgeirsstaðaá river. It’s best to be here in the morning when in summer sunlight illuminates the waterfall, so plan to get an early start from Höfn in Hornafjörður.
HVALNES NATURE RESERVE BEACH
If you’ve enjoyed Vestrahorn, then you might also want to pause to take in the view at Hvalnes Nature Reserve. The black pebble beach is actually a spit that almost totally closes off a bay, so the water here is often calm. Backed by jagged mountains, it’s a picturesque spot. The area, great for birdwatching, is also home to a lighthouse and an old turf farm. Nearby, tranquil Lækjavik is an overlooked gem. This black sand beach is so pretty you’ll wonder why so few visitors make it here.
EGGIN IN GLEÐIVÍK IN DJÚPIVOGUR
The ring road hugs the shore and comes within a whisker of the port of Djúpivogur. On the outskirts of town, you might want to grab a picture in front of Eggin í Gleðivík. Translating as “The Eggs in Merry Bay” it’s an art installation that warrants a closer look. The work of Icelandic artist Sigurður Guðmundsson, it depicts the eggs of 34 species of birds that are found in this area. Teigarhorn is only five minutes up the road. This protected natural monument is known for its zeolites, minerals that form from volcanic ash and rocks which then crystallise. Be sure to leave them where you find them.
BERUFJÖRÐUR
Continue along the ring road, hugging the shore of Berufjörður. You’ll soon be able to pull off the road to view a small but pretty waterfall called Nykurhylsfoss (sometimes referred to as Sveinsstekksfoss) and look back out over the fjord. It’s possible to travel further inland along the Fossárdalur valley, where the mountains rise steeply and the evidence of past volcanic activity is evident in the rock layers. There are many waterfalls in this area, such as Múlafoss. You might choose to leave the ring road at the head of Berufjordur and take a short cut along the gravelled 939. However, it’s a much more challenging road to drive, steep and winding, but with dramatic scenery.
BREIÐDALSVÍK
Assuming you’ve opted to remain on Route 1, you’ll soon approach Breiðdalsvik, crossing the water beside gorgeous Meleyri Beach. In Breiðdalsvik there’s a small craft brewery. Those who aren’t driving may wish to sample the different brews as part of a tasting flight; stay overnight at the hotel if you want to make sure no one’s left out.
SAXA
In Stöðvarfjörður, look out for a rock formation called Saxa (the name translates as “The Grinder”). Powerful Atlantic waves batter the coast here and as air is forced into a narrow space between the rocks it erupts. This blowhole is a dramatic sight; watch as the water shoots high into the air and then crashes down over the surrounding rocks. Make the most of it: after Reyðarfjörður, the ring road turns inland and you’ll lose sight of the ocean.
REINDEER PARK
From here it’s about 30 minutes’ drive to Egilsstaðir, though if you’re not quite ready to round off your road trip through East Iceland, you don’t have to stop quite yet. The mountains in East Iceland are home to herds of reindeer, introduced centuries ago and now wild. In winter, they venture down to the coastal lowlands to find food, but in summer they’re usually far from the main road. You can meet three of them at a farm in Fellabær; rescued after being abandoned as calves, they are looked after here and visitors are welcome. The sanctuary is also home to a couple of Arctic foxes, making this a must-do for wildlife lovers.
SEYÐISFJÖRÐUR TOWN
The charming port of Seyðisfjörður is an alternative to Egilsstaðir as an overnight stop but it’s a rewarding detour from the ring road regardless of this. The road drops down over the mountain pass into the fjordside village – be sure to park up at the top and take in the extraordinary view before continuing down to the water’s edge. Most visitors make a beeline for the rainbow-coloured street that leads to Seyðisfjörður’s pretty blue church, this is a popular destination and ancle for people posting on Instagram. Residents first painted Norðurgata almost a decade ago and it’s been a favourite with visiting tourists ever since. There are also a number of attractive hikes in the vicinity but a waterfront cafe is a tempting proposition if you don’t plan on staying long.
STUÐLAGIL CANYON
Instead of turning right at Egilsstaðir for Seyðisfjörður, you can choose to turn left and head for Stuðlagil Canyon instead. Once drowned, this glorious canyon was revealed when a dam upstream caused the water levels to fall. It’s a gloriously colourful spot, where the vivid turquoise of the glacier-fed river contrasts spectacularly with the rust-coloured basalt columns that flank it. Gnarly and twisted, it provokes a profound reaction among many who come to admire it. There are two options here: a quick pitstop using some steps to get a view of the canyon, or a longer hike that leads along the river bank until the trail drops down to the canyon floor. The place is no longer a secret and is now a popular Instagram location, this narrow gorge is such a showstopper that you’ll be happy to share.
HENGIFOSS AND LITLANESFOSS
Another option if you’re in the area is to visit waterfalls such as Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss. From the ring road, it takes about half an hour to reach the trailhead for Hengifoss. Follow route 931 along the side of the lake until you reach the point where it makes a right turn and carries on over the water. A short distance straight on you’ll see the car park for Hengifoss and in the distance, a tall waterfall. While Litlanesfoss is an admirable pre-show, it’s a relatively short but steepish hike to Hengifoss, the main attraction. When you set eyes on the unusually colourful rock strata that flank Hengifoss you’ll be glad you parked up for a while.
From here, it’s just a short distance to Egilsstaðir and the end of this leg of your road trip. Though you may have been reluctant to leave the amazing views at and around Fjallsárlón behind, the scenic views as you drive through East Iceland have surely been an effective distraction.
