Excursion Scenic east tour at Seydisfjordur

Discover the splendid beauty and landmarks of eastern Seyðisfjörður during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Fjarðarheiði Mountain Pass

Upon leaving Seyðisfjörður, head over the impressive mountain-pass of Fjarðarheiði passing by numerous small waterfalls. Drive past Egilsstaðir, a town of about 2000 inhabitants and the commercial center of east Iceland, continue along Iceland’s third largest lake, “Lagarfljót”. The lake’s bed lies 100m below sea level, having been formed by glaciers over thousands of years. The lake is famous for the mythical serpent that is said to reside far below.

Snæfellsstofa Visitors’ Centre

The journey continues along the lakeside to Snæfellsstofa, the visitor center for the area covering the east side of Vatnajökull National Park. The visitor center offers an interactive way to explore the nature of the area. Take a short walk to Skriðuklaustur, an unusual building of basalt blocks with white painted concrete and the former home of one of Iceland’s greatest writers, Gunnar Gunnarsson. Today this building acts as a residence for artists and writers, both Icelandic and foreign, but the buildings are also at a site of a former monastery and the tour includes a visit to an exhibition that provides insight into both historical and contemporary aspects of the site.

On the way back we will drive through the beautiful Hallormsstaðaskógur forest. There, over forty species of trees from various parts of the world grow and the flora there is unusually diverse

Egilsstaðir

Before heading back to Seyðisfjörður, stop in the town of Egilsstaðir for a short visit to a souvenir shop that offers handcrafted items made by local artists.

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 60-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Seyðisfjörður, Fjarðarheiði, Egilsstaðir, Lagarfljót Lake, Snæfellsstofa, Vatnajökull National Park, Skriðuklaustur.

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.6 miles (about 0.95 kilometres), at times over uneven, gravel and grassy surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with sturdy, flat, closed-toe and non-slip walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a weatherproof jacket. The tour sequence may vary.