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Eastern
Iceland Regional Information
 Eastern Iceland is a particularly diverse region,
accounting for a large part of Iceland's total
area. It divides between the successive towering
mountains and shores of the East Fjords, and the
rolling inland plains of Hérað, which merge into
the rugged highlands and glaciers of the
interior.
Contrasts abound in the hikers´ paradise
of East Iceland, with its mountains and valleys,
deserts and woodlands, its glaciers and
the widest variety of rock types in the
country. Marked and mapped hiking routes
link the whole region from north to south, and
visitors can enjoy both natural beauty and
supernatural experiences. Folktales relate how
Borgarfjörður eystri is home to some of the
largest elf colonies in Iceland,
Fáskrúðsfjörður is troll territory, famous
ghosts are known from the three towns now merged
into the largest community, Fjarðabyggð, and a monster has been sighted in the sprawling river
Lagarfljót - you can take cruises from
Egilsstaðir, to try to catch a
glimpse of it.
While most of the towns in East Iceland are
relatively recent, Seyðisfjörður is renowned
for its impressive old houses, the first sight to
greet visitors arriving there on the car ferry
Norröna to and from Europe.
Not far off the beaten path, must sees include the majestic Mt. Snæfell (in the heart of
reindeer territory) and impressive waterfalls such
as Hengifoss, while travellers going deeper into
the wilds are rewarded with breathtaking sights
such as the Hafrahvammsgljúfur canyon. Wild
Icelandic reindeer live only in the East region of
Iceland, and are definitely worth viewing.
The port of Höfn on the southeast corner is
another major town and the main base for exciting
trips to the nearby glacier cap for hiking, 4x4
snow scooters, skiing and ice climbing.
Höfn's multimedia Glacier Centre gives
fascinating insights into the properties and
behaviour of glaciers, and man's cohabitation
with them throughout the centuries. Another
top attraction in the southeast is on the glacier's
rim: Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon,
renowned for its boat cruises among calving
icebergs. Preserved old buildings lend a
distinctive character to Djúpivogur, once the
main trading post in the region, and boat trips to
the now uninhabited island of Papey are a must for
bird lovers.
Few places in Iceland can match the wealth of
contrasts found at Skaftafell National Park, where
green woodlands and black mountains converge with
the sheer glacier in the shadow of the country´s
highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur (2.119 m).
A more secret treasure tucked away off the main
road is Lónsöræfi, with its breathtaking
mountains, approachable only using a good 4WD or
strong hikers' boots.
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