Venture southeast from Iceland’s East Fjords and you’ll find yourself dwarfed by the majestic Vatnajökull glacier – Europe’s largest ice cap dramatically shaping the landscape west of Höfn. This raw frontier of southeast Iceland features otherworldly vistas where highland moors meet coastal gravel deserts called sandurs. Though volcanic activity has left much of this terrain rugged and sparsely populated, it rewards adventurous travelers with some of the country’s most spectacular wilderness experiences.
Two natural wonders stand out for exploration: the untamed beauty of Lónsöræfi Nature Reserve and the glacier-kissed trails of Skaftafell National Park with its network of marked hiking paths. Further west, the tiny village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur serves as your gateway to dramatic inland adventures – including journeys through the aftermath of Iceland’s most catastrophic volcanic eruptions where the landscape tells stories of fiery destruction and rebirth.
Imagine winding through valleys where waterfalls cascade like liquid diamonds and villages cling to coastlines like seabird nests. Welcome to Iceland’s less-trodden corners – places where nature’s drama meets human resilience in spectacular fashion.
Wild South Iceland: Fire, Water & Viking Lore
South Iceland isn’t just a region – it’s an open-air theater of natural wonders. The village of Vík, Iceland’s southernmost gem, serves as your gateway to obsidian beaches and puffin-dotted cliffs. Venture inland to witness the raw power of waterfalls like Svartifoss, framed by black basalt columns, or Skógafoss, where rainbows dance in its mist. Don’t miss Seljalandsfoss – the waterfall you can literally walk behind for a water-curtain perspective.
The earth still whispers ancient secrets here. Near the volatile Hekla volcano (last active in 2000), geothermal pools offer steamy respite amid landscapes that inspired Njál’s Saga, Iceland’s bloodiest Viking epic. For serious hikers, the five-day Laugavegur Trail delivers surreal landscapes: bubbling hot springs at Landmannalaugar, then through rainbow-hilled rhyolite mountains to Þórsmörk’s lush valley sanctuary. Offshore, the Westman Islands beckon with their puffin colonies and haunting volcanic landscapes reshaped by 1970s eruptions.
Egilsstaðir: The Unexpected Crossroads
Let’s be honest – Egilsstaðir won’t win beauty contests. Born in the 1940s as a service hub (think hospital, supermarket, telephone exchange) between Lagarfljót River and East Fjord peaks, its charm lies in practicality. This unassuming town serves as your springboard to eastern adventures. Flights from Reykjavík land here, buses connect onward, and Seyðisfjörður’s colorful port is just 30km away.
Rather than lingering in town, use Egilsstaðir to fuel up and venture out. The surrounding highlands hold treasures: Héraðsfloí’s marshlands teem with birdlife, Snæfell’s glaciers glitter on clear days, and Lögurinn Lake’s shores hold enough mystery for a Norse legend (which we’ll get to shortly).
Lögurinn: Iceland’s Loch Ness
The 30km-long Lögurinn Lake isn’t just scenery – it’s a character in Iceland’s folklore. Locals whisper about the Lagarfljótsormur, a serpentine creature first spotted in 1345. Unlike its Scottish cousin, this monster remains camera-shy, leaving visitors to admire the pine-fringed eastern shore – rare in tree-scarce Iceland.
Circle the lake by car (no buses here) to discover:
- Saga-age ruins whispering medieval tales
- Hengifoss waterfall’s striped cliffs
- Hidden woodland paths perfect for quiet walks
Pro tip: Both bridge crossings cluster near the southern end, making this an easy detour en route to Snæfell’s wilderness.
Where Myths Walk: Hrafnkel’s Saga
Lögurinn’s western shores stage one of Iceland’s most gripping Viking dramas. The saga tells of hotheaded chieftain Hrafnkel, who prized his stallion Freyfaxi above human life. When a shepherd rode the forbidden horse, Hrafnkel’s axe fell swiftly. What followed was a blood feud spanning years, farms, and family betrayals – all playing out in landscapes you can still visit.
Stand where Hrafnkel’s farm Aðalból once stood, imagining the midnight raid that reclaimed his honor. These windswept hills make history feel visceral.
East Fjords: Iceland’s Quiet Majesty
Between Borgarfjörður Eystri’s puffin cliffs and Berufjörður’s fishing villages stretches Iceland’s most underrated coast. The East Fjords reveal themselves slowly: hairpin roads threading past cliffs where sheep outnumber people, tiny harbors like Breiðdalsvík with volcanic sand beaches, and Hallormsstaðaskógur – Iceland’s largest forest, surprisingly lush with autumn colors.
Papey Island: Monk’s Retreat
Just offshore from Djúpivogur, Papey Island holds quiet magic. Gaelic monks sought solitude here in the 900s, and though the last residents left in 1966, their whitewashed church still stands. Summer boats bring visitors to:
- Hike between seabird colonies
- Photograph Iceland’s oldest wooden lighthouse (1912)
- Spot seals basking on skerries
Seyðisfjörður: The Artsy Fjord
In a fjord peppered with cascades, Seyðisfjörður steals hearts. Pastel Norwegian timber houses line streets leading to a famous blue church. By day, hike to Brimberg’s waterfall; by night, catch live music at Skaftfell Bistro. Don’t miss:
- Scuba diving between continental plates
- June’s LungA art festival
- The ferry connection to Europe
Borgarfjörður Eystri: Puffins & Peaks
At road’s end lies Iceland’s prettiest cul-de-sac. Borgarfjörður Eystri combines:
- Puffin viewpoints minutes from town
- Álfaborg’s “fairy queen” rock
- Hikes through Drangey’s rhyolite wonderland
- A church hiding Kjarval’s surreal altarpiece
Warning: Mountain trails here demand respect – sudden fog or snow can trap the unprepared. Always check forecasts at the information center.
Whether chasing Viking ghosts in fog-draped valleys or kayaking fjords beneath seabird wings, Eastern Iceland proves magic isn’t just in the sights – it’s in the journey between them.
Just beyond Borgarfjörður Eystri rises the dramatic silhouette of Dyrfjöll (Door Mountain), named for the striking gap in its 1,136m basalt crown. Locals whisper tales of Christmas spirits dancing here – mischievous creatures known to knot cows’ tails under the northern lights. For intrepid hikers, a full-day circuit from town reveals staggering vistas. For a shorter adventure, arrange a ride to Geldingafjall pass where a marked trail winds through alpine landscapes before descending into the valley south of town.
Experience living history along Borgarfjörður’s coast on the Brúnavík hike. Wander 4km west to an abandoned 1940s farmstead in a steep valley – tangible evidence of the East Fjords’ changing fortunes after the herring industry collapse. Continue through untamed terrain to Breiðavík Bay, where a basic campsite and hiking hut await. Complete the rugged circuit via jeep track back to town (14 hours total), soaking in panoramic ocean views.
Norðfjörður’s Hiking Gems
Neskaupstaður’s campground serves as gateway to extraordinary trails. Family-friendly paths lead to Easter Cave (Páskahellir), where legend says the sun dances each Easter morning. Experienced hikers can tackle the full-day mountain traverse into Mjóifjörður or the challenging 10km ridgetop trek to Flesjartangi – Iceland’s finger pointing defiantly into the North Atlantic swells.
Southeast Iceland’s Frozen Majesty
South of Djúpivogur, Europe’s largest ice cap dominates the horizon. Vatnajökull National Park – covering 12% of Iceland – presents an otherworldly realm where glacier tongues creep seaward against a backdrop of jagged nunataks piercing the ice. This land of extremes reveals:
- Glacier lagoons sparkling with electric-blue icebergs
- Ancient volcanoes smoldering beneath glacial sheets
- Endless black sand deserts born of ice and fire
With Höfn and Kirkjubæjarklaustur as your only service hubs (separated by 200 dramatic kilometers), preparation becomes part of the adventure. Witness climate change firsthand at retreating glacier fronts or track Arctic foxes across volcanic plains.
When Mountains Roar: Grímsvötn’s Fury
The 1996 jökulhlaup (glacial flood) rewrote southeastern Iceland’s landscape in days. When Grímsvötn volcano awoke beneath Vatnajökull, it unleashed a biblical flood – 45,000 cubic meters of meltwater per second carving canyons through Skeiðarársandur. Find twisted bridge remains west of Skaftafell as haunting monuments to nature’s power. Scientists monitor Grímsvötn constantly, knowing Iceland’s next dramatic reshaping could begin beneath still glaciers.
Lónsöræfi: Iceland’s Final Frontier
This private reserve offers Iceland’s most rewarding wilderness challenges. Towering rhyolite cliffs glow like dragon scales in the midnight sun as you navigate glacier-fed rivers and hidden waterfalls. Essential tips for conquering Lónsöræfi:
- Never hike solo in this remote terrain
- Carry waterproof maps and emergency gear
- Book mountain huts early through Ferðafélag Austur-Skaftfellinga
Grákinn’s Canyon Wonders
Experience Lónsöræfi’s magic on this manageable 5-hour loop from Stafafell Farm. Traverse moss-carpeted highlands where wild reindeer roam before descending into Grákinn’s painted gorge. Follow orange rock formations through narrow canyons to the Jökulsá í Lóni river – your liquid guide back to civilization.
Epic Journey: Lónsöræfi to Snæfell
This 4-day expedition demands preparation but rewards with raw Icelandic beauty. After arranging river transport from Stafafell Farm, traverse volcanic deserts and glacier viewpoints where few humans venture. Key milestones:
- Eskifell Hut: First night under Arctic stars
- Illikambur valley: Base for exploring “troll country”
- Kollumúlvatn Lake: Reflections of Vatnajökull’s icy expanse
Coordinate pickup through Tanni Travel after your Snæfell summit – the perfect finale to Iceland’s ultimate trekking adventure.
Nestled along Iceland’s stunning southern coast, Kirkjubæjarklaustur (thankfully nicknamed “Klaustur” by locals) offers travelers far more than just a linguistic challenge. This charming one-street village serves as the ultimate oasis on the epic 300km journey between Höfn and Vík. Positioned dramatically at the base of a striking escarpment with views across historic lava fields, this tiny settlement holds Iceland’s most miraculous legend within its granite-clad church walls.
Beyond the Tongue-Twister: Kirkjubæjarklaustur Revealed
Imagine winding through volcanic landscapes when a cluster of colorful homes appears like a mirage – that’s Klaustur. Wander its main street absorbing views of the serpentine Skaftá River and the hauntingly beautiful lava plains from the massive 1783 Lakagígar eruption. But why does this speck on the map draw visitors worldwide? The answer lies in what might be Iceland’s greatest “divine intervention” story…
The Church That Stopped Lava
Klaustur’s modern granite church honors an extraordinary moment in geological history. As molten rock surged toward the village during the catastrophic 1783 eruptions, local priest Jón Steingrímsson delivered his legendary “Fire Sermon” – and the lava flow inexplicably halted. Climb the church’s escarpment using the chain-assisted trail (worth the mildly sweaty palms!) for panoramic views of the frozen lava that nearly rewrote the village’s fate. From this vantage, you’ll also spot Landbrot’s otherworldly pseudocraters – a thousand tiny volcanoes born from a 10th-century eruption.
Lón: Where Glaciers Meet Granite Giants
Venture east along the Ring Road to discover Lón’s breathtaking wilderness. Here, the Jökulsá i Lóni glacial river fans across a valley framed by the jagged quartz peaks of Eystrahorn and Vestrahorn. Witness nature’s seasonal transformations as winter’s crystalline streams become summer’s churning meltwater torrents. The estuary’s maze of lagoons (“lón” in Icelandic) teems with life – cast a line for arctic trout, spot nesting whooper swans, or watch reindeer herds descend from snowy highlands when temperatures drop.
Wilderness Adventures in Lónsöræfi
For adventurers craving untouched landscapes, the Lónsöræfi highlands deliver Iceland at its most raw. This protected wilderness area invites exploration through rhyolite-sculpted valleys and along Vatnajökull’s eastern fringes. Accessible via Stafafell farm, trail options range from leisurely day hikes to the multi-day challenge crossing to Snæfell near Egilsstaðir – rewards include absolute solitude and vistas unchanged since the Viking Age.
Stafafell: Where Faith and Fury Collided
Don’t overlook this unassuming farmstead harboring Iceland’s wildest conversion story. The peaceful birch-shaded church at Stafafell honors an unlikely hero: Þangbrand, a sword-wielding 10th-century missionary who dueled the pagan landowner to death before evangelizing across Iceland. His violent campaign – surviving sorcery and berserker attacks – ultimately forced Iceland’s famous compromise at the Alþing declaring Christianity the official religion while permitting behind-closed-doors pagan practices. Today travelers find respite at Stafafell’s quaint hostel amid scenery steeped in saga history.
🌟 The Travaloca Travel Editors Community is a dynamic collective of individuals united by their passion for travel and their dedication to high-quality content creation. This community serves as the driving force behind Travaloca's informative and engaging travel resources. ✨ Core Identity: This group consists primarily of passionate travel enthusiasts who have turned their love for exploration into a commitment to writing and content curation. Members are recognized for their: Extensive Travel Experience: Possessing valuable firsthand knowledge from their journeys worldwide. Aptitude for Writing and Editing: Demonstrating a keen interest and skill in crafting, reviewing, and perfecting travel narratives, guides, tips, and reviews. Dedication to Storytelling: Transforming personal experiences and destination knowledge into accessible, inspiring, and reliable information for a global audience. 📝 Community Focus: The community’s primary role is to contribute, edit, and maintain the diverse range of content on Travaloca's platform. They ensure the information provided is accurate, engaging, and reflective of current travel trends. In essence, the Travaloca Travel Editors Community is where travel passion meets editorial excellence, enriching the user experience and solidifying Travaloca’s standing as a trusted travel resource.
