Hiking Seyðisfjörður and Other Outdoor Activities
To spend a lot of time in the Eastfjords, Seyðisfjörður is your best option. Not only is the main ferry terminal that shuttles passengers to and from continental Europe here, along with some great places to stay, but the hiking is stupendous. You’ll also find plenty of other outdoor fun to have.
Hiking Seyðisfjörður
Seyðisfjörður has quite a few trails to choose from, ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging. Hiking maps are available at the town’s tourist information center.
Vestdalseyri Nature Reserve Hike
Distance: 4 km (2.5 mi) round-trip; Hiking Time: 2.5 hours; Information and Maps: Seyðisfjörður tourist information center; Trailhead: Vestdalseyri entrance off Route 951
The Vestdalseyri Nature Reserve, about 1 km (0.6 mi) north of town, is a valley known for its many waterfalls and rich birdlife. It’s a beautiful place to roam and take in the mountain scenery. It contains an easy hike that is one of the most popular trails in Seyðisfjörður. You can start at the Vestdalseyri entrance and follow the trail. After passing a few glorious waterfalls, you will arrive at a small lake, Vestdalsvatn, which remains frozen most of the year.
Brimnes Hike
Distance: 5.5 km (3.4 mi) round-trip; Hiking Time: 2 hours; Information and Maps: Seyðisfjörður tourist information center; Trailhead: Selsstadir farm, signposted about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the center of town
The hike through Brimnes is another gem of a trek. Brimnes is on the north shore of Seyðisfjörður and was for centuries one of the major fishing villages in East Iceland. Start at the Selsstadir farm, which is signposted 10 km (6.2 miles) from the center of town, where you’ll find ruins of old buildings and a small orange lighthouse. A walk out to Brimnes in good weather with good visibility is memorable. Be sure to have your camera ready. This is a moderately difficult hike.
Skalanes Nature Reserve Hike
Distance: 9 km (5.6 mi) round-trip; Hiking Time: 2.5 hours; Information and Maps: Seyðisfjörður tourist information center; Trailhead: Parking area by the Austdalsa River
For an easy lowland hike, start from the parking area by the Austdalsa River and head to the nature reserve Skalanes, where there is a guesthouse and museum. This hike includes views of the gorgeous Skalanesbjarg bird cliffs, where you can see nesting eider ducks May-July. Please be mindful of nests and eggs and be careful where you step along the way.
Afrettadalur Valley Hike
Distance: 17 km (11 mi) round-trip; Hiking Time: 8 hours; Information and Maps: Seyðisfjörður tourist information center; Trailhead: Austdalsa parking area, 17 km (11 mi) east of Seyðisfjörður
A more challenging trail starts from Skalanes and goes up along the edge of the cliffs to the Skollaskard pass, which is steep. You continue on into a valley, Afrettadalur. The landscape is breathtaking, but be careful to monitor weather conditions. The hike has an elevation gain of 643 m (2,110 ft).
Brekka Settlement Hike
Distance: 24 km (15 mi) round-trip; Hiking Time: 14 hours; Information and Maps: Seyðisfjörður tourist information center; Trailhead: Austdalsa parking area, 17 km (11 mi) east of Seyðisfjörður
Experienced hikers with endurance should check out the historical trail that leads from the Austdalsa parking area up past the abandoned farmstead Austdalur. It’s extremely important to follow the trail posts down into the Brekkugja opening and to be careful when crossing the snowbanks above it before continuing down the Brekkudalur valley to the Brekka settlement, a historic village. The highest elevation is 781 m (2,563 ft), and the trail has some steep climbs. This is typically done as a long day hike strictly in June-August while monitoring weather conditions.
Other Sports and Recreation near Seyðisfjörður
Stafdalur Ski Area
tel. 354/898-2798; www.stafdalur.is; Dec.-May; lift tickets 3,000ISK Tues.-Fri., 4,000ISK Sat.-Sun. and holidays
The Stafdalur Ski Area is 9 km (5.6 mi) southwest from Seyðisfjörður and has a 1,000-m (3,280-ft) ski lift as well as a lift for children. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are possible from the ski area; there is excellent access for snowmobiles from the ski area to magnificent mountains, deserted fjords, and the famous Dyrfjöll mountains. Rentals are available for skis, boots, poles, and snowboards.
Sundhöll Seyðisfjörður Swimming Pool
Suðurgata 5; tel. 354/470-2340; 7am-10am and 4pm-8pm Mon.-Fri., 11am-2pm Sat.; 1,150ISK
The town swimming pool, Sundhöll Seyðisfjörður, is small, but it’s frequented by locals and their children. If the weather is bad, a dip in one of the hot tubs is divine.
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