Héraðssandur Travel Guide: Where Black Sand Meets the North Atlantic
For travellers following The Highland Circle from Egilsstaðir, the journey towards Héraðssandur black sand beach offers a chance to discover one of the quieter corners of Austurland (East Iceland). As the road leaves the town behind, the landscape gradually changes from forests, farmland and valleys to wide-open coastal scenery, eventually reaching Héraðsflói Bay and the North Atlantic.
Héraðssandur is a vast black-sand outwash plain stretching along the coast, where glacial sediments meet the ocean. The area feels remote and open, with dramatic mountains inland, expansive beaches and wide views across Héraðsflói. It is a destination for travellers who enjoy getting away from the main sights and experiencing the quieter, wilder landscapes of East Iceland.
The journey to Héraðssandur can easily be made into a full day trip from Egilsstaðir, with several interesting stops and hiking opportunities along the way. You can visit a historic turf church, discover the former retreat of one of Iceland's most famous painters, stop at viewpoints overlooking the bay or spend several hours exploring the coastline on foot.
The ideas in this guide are intended as inspiration for travelling from spring through autumn, roughly from late April to early October. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly, and road access and travel conditions may vary with the weather and season. Some roads and hiking routes in the area may have seasonal access. Always check current road and weather conditions before setting out, and make sure individual hiking routes are suitable for the conditions on the day.
Getting to Héraðssandur from Egilsstaðir
Héraðssandur can be reached from Egilsstaðir by following Route 94 towards Héraðsflói and then Route 1, before either continuing to the turnoff for Route 917 towards Hellisheiði Eystri, or taking the right turn onto Routes 925/926, located approximately one minute before the Route 917 turnoff, towards the black sand beach. It is a relatively short drive of around 50 km from Egilsstaðir, taking you across changing landscapes from the settled countryside around town towards the more remote coastal areas of northeastern Austurland. Routes 925 and 944 provide additional connections between Route 94 and Route 1, giving you the option to create a loop and experience different landscapes on the way there and back.
The journey can be combined with other stops along the way, making it ideal for a day trip rather than simply a drive to the beach and back. Depending on how much time you have, you can visit Kjarvalshvammur and/or Geirsstaðakirkja, stop at the Héraðssandur viewpoint on Hellisheiði Eystri and explore the hiking routes around Héraðsflói: Húsey, Stapavík, and Landsendi.
For travellers following The Highland Circle, a day trip to Héraðssandur is a particularly rewarding addition because it takes you beyond the more familiar attractions and into a landscape where the scale of the coastline becomes the main attraction.
Photographer: Gunnar Freyr Gunnarsson - Icelandic Explorer
Héraðssandur Black-Sand Beach
Héraðssandur is a long black-sand beach on the coast of East Iceland, where the Héraðssandur glacial outwash plain meets the North Atlantic. The open beach is surrounded by wide landscapes, with mountains inland and views across the ocean.
The area is known for its remote character and dramatic coastal scenery. It is a good place for a walk, photography and experiencing the quieter side of Austurland away from the region's more visited attractions.
The combination of black sand, open ocean, surrounding mountains and Iceland's changing skies creates an atmospheric landscape that feels very different from the forests and valleys around Egilsstaðir.
Because the area is exposed to the North Atlantic and can feel very remote, check weather and road conditions before setting out and take care around the coastline.
Photographer: Þráinn Kolbeinsson
Stop at Kjarvalshvammur
On the way towards Héraðsflói on route 94, make a stop at Kjarvalshvammur, a peaceful little haven beside the Selfljót river, south of Ketilsstaðir farm.
The small cabin and boathouse here belonged to Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885–1972), one of Iceland's most celebrated painters. Kjarval spent two summers in the area in a tent just before 1950, and the farmer at Ketilsstaðir later gave him the piece of land and built the cabin that still stands today.
Kjarval often stayed here for extended periods and created paintings inspired by the surrounding landscapes. The boathouse still shelters his small dinghy, which he used to travel down the river towards the sea. In 1957, he sailed as far as Borgarfjörður Eystri.
Kjarvalshvammur offers a fascinating connection between the landscape and one of Iceland's most important artists, and is a peaceful place to stop before continuing towards the coast.
Photographer: Gunnar Freyr Gunnarsson - The Explorer
Visit Geirsstaðakirkja
Another interesting stop on the journey, on route 925, is Geirsstaðakirkja, a small reconstructed turf church. The present church is a reconstruction based on the remains of a Viking Age church discovered during an archaeological excavation at the Litli-Bakki estate in 1997. The excavation revealed the remains of a small turf church as well as a farmstead, longhouse and two other buildings.
The church was reconstructed between 1999 and 2001 and is now open to visitors. Its traditional construction and simple surroundings offer an opportunity to learn more about Iceland's early history and the way people once lived in the region.
Stop at the Héraðssandur Viewpoint
For an impressive overview of the landscape, stop at the Héraðssandur viewpoint on the road over Hellisheiði Eystri.
The viewpoint looks across the vast black-sand outwash plain towards Héraðsflói Bay and the North Atlantic. From above, the scale of the sandur becomes particularly clear, with the coastline stretching into the distance and mountains framing the bay.
It is a convenient stop for travellers who want to experience the landscape without hiking to the beach and makes a good introduction to Héraðssandur before continuing towards the coast.
There is also another viewpoint on the road towards Borgarfjörður Eystri, by the Stórurð Service Cabin, offering a different perspective of the surrounding landscape.
Photographer: Esther Ösp Gunnarsdóttir - Héraðssandur viewpoint on the road over Hellisheiði Eystri.
Explore Héraðsflói on Foot
Héraðssandur and the surrounding coastline offer several opportunities to explore the landscape on foot. The hiking routes vary in character, from rivers and coastal plains to cliffs, colourful mountains and remote inlets.
1. Stapavík by Héraðsflói Hike
The Stapavík by Héraðsflói Hike follows the Selfljót river towards the coast and the historic Stapavík inlet.
Stapavík was once used as an unloading port for ships serving the surrounding communities, and remains of the old facilities can still be found in the area. The hike combines the open landscapes around Héraðsflói with the dramatic coastline and offers a chance to experience the area at a slower pace.
Photographer: Þráinn Kolbeinsson
2. Landsendi Hike
The Landsendi Hike takes you through colourful rhyolite landscapes and towards dramatic coastal cliffs. The rocks around Landsendi are predominantly rhyolite, creating shades of yellow, green and red that contrast with the dark coastline and blue waters of the North Atlantic. It is a rewarding hike for travellers interested in both geology and coastal scenery.
3. Húsey Hike
The Húsey Hike offers another way to experience the meeting of rivers, black sand and the sea.
The area is known for its remote coastal landscape and rich birdlife. The hike provides opportunities to experience the open coastline and the natural environment around the Héraðssandur area.
Before setting out on any of these hikes, check current trail, road and weather conditions and make sure you have enough time and appropriate equipment for the route.
Where to Stay Along the Way
Although Héraðssandur works well as a day trip from Egilsstaðir, there are accommodation options in the wider area if you want to slow down and spend more time exploring.
Hálsakot Lodge offers accommodation in the countryside, while Eiðar – Hostel & Apartments provides another option close to the route towards Héraðsflói.
Staying outside Egilsstaðir can be particularly rewarding if you want to experience the quiet evenings and open landscapes of the surrounding countryside.
Photographer: Esther Ösp Gunnarsdóttir - Eiðar – Hostel & Apartments
Héraðssandur: A Different Side of The Highland Circle
Héraðssandur is not about ticking off a single famous attraction. It is about the journey, the open landscape and the feeling of reaching a quieter part of Iceland.
Follow the road from Egilsstaðir towards Héraðsflói. Discover the history of Geirsstaðakirkja. See where Kjarval found inspiration at Kjarvalshvammur. Look across the enormous black-sand plain from the Héraðssandur viewpoint on Hellisheiði. Walk beside the Selfljót river or follow a trail towards the coast.
Then stand on the black sand and look out across the North Atlantic.
For travellers exploring The Highland Circle, Héraðssandur offers an opportunity to experience a wilder and less-visited landscape of Austurland, where the road itself becomes part of the adventure.
Plan Your Visit to Héraðssandur
Héraðssandur can be explored as a day trip from Egilsstaðir, with enough nearby attractions and hiking opportunities to fill a full day. Allow extra time if you plan to hike, and always check road, weather and trail conditions before travelling.
Whether you are interested in hiking, photography, history, geology or simply finding a quiet place beside the sea, Héraðssandur makes a rewarding stop on The Highland Circle.
How do I get to Héraðssandur from Egilsstaðir?
Héraðssandur can be reached from Egilsstaðir by following Route 94 towards Héraðsflói and then Route 1. From there, you can either continue to the turnoff for Route 917 towards Hellisheiði Eystri, or take the right turn onto Routes 925/926, located approximately one minute before the Route 917 turnoff, towards the black-sand beach.
How far is Héraðssandur from Egilsstaðir?
Héraðssandur is around 50 km from Egilsstaðir, making it possible to visit as a day trip. The journey can take longer depending on road conditions and the stops you make along the way.
Can I visit Héraðssandur as a day trip?
Yes. Héraðssandur works well as a full-day trip from Egilsstaðir. You can combine the black-sand beach with stops at Kjarvalshvammur, Geirsstaðakirkja and the Héraðssandur viewpoint, as well as one or more of the hiking routes around Héraðsflói.
What can I see and do at Héraðssandur?
The main attraction is the vast black-sand coastline and the surrounding Héraðssandur outwash plain. You can walk along the beach, take photographs, enjoy views across Héraðsflói and explore the quieter coastal landscape.
Are there hiking trails near Héraðssandur?
Yes. Several hiking routes offer different ways to explore the area, including the Stapavík by Héraðsflói Hike, Landsendi Hike and Húsey Hike. The routes range from coastal plains and river landscapes to cliffs, colourful rhyolite formations and remote coastal areas.
What other stops can I visit on the way to Héraðssandur?
There are several interesting stops along the route. Kjarvalshvammur offers a connection to the Icelandic painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval, while Geirsstaðakirkja is a reconstructed turf church based on archaeological remains of a Viking Age church. You can also stop at the Héraðssandur viewpoint on Hellisheiði Eystri for a panoramic view across the black-sand outwash plain and Héraðsflói Bay.
Are there different ways to reach Héraðssandur?
Yes. After reaching Route 1, travellers can either take Route 917 towards Hellisheiði Eystri or turn onto Routes 925/926 towards the Héraðssandur area. Routes 925 and 944 also provide connections between Route 94 and Route 1, making it possible to create a loop and experience different landscapes on the journey.
When is the best time to visit Héraðssandur?
The ideas in this guide are intended for travel from spring through autumn, roughly from late April to early October. However, conditions can change quickly in Iceland, and road and trail access can vary depending on the season and weather.
Do I need to check road and weather conditions before visiting?
Yes. Héraðssandur is exposed and remote, and conditions can change quickly. Always check current road and weather conditions before setting out, and check whether individual hiking routes are suitable for the conditions on the day.
Where can I stay near Héraðssandur?
Although Héraðssandur can easily be visited as a day trip from Egilsstaðir, you can also stay in the surrounding countryside. Hálsakot Lodge and Eiðar – Hostel & Apartments provide accommodation options along or near the route towards Héraðsflói.
Is Héraðssandur suitable for photography?
Yes. The combination of black sand, the North Atlantic, mountains, rivers and wide-open landscapes makes Héraðssandur particularly appealing for photography. The Héraðssandur viewpoint on Hellisheiði Eystri also provides a good opportunity to capture the scale of the outwash plain and coastline from above.
Who will enjoy a visit to Héraðssandur?
Héraðssandur is particularly suited to travellers interested in hiking, photography, history, geology and quiet natural landscapes. It is also a good choice for anyone looking to explore a less-visited part of Austurland while following The Highland Circle.