Activities in Egilsstaðir area

Vök Baths is a geothermal destination on the beautiful Lake Urriðavatn in East Iceland. Located in only a 5-minute drive from Egilsstaðir, the largest settlement in the East, Vök Baths is an essential stop on any visit to this part of the country. At Vök Baths you will find, floating geothermal pools with infinity view, two on shore hot pools, a sauna, cold water spray tunnel, tea bar, an in water pool bar, and the on-site restaurant Vök Bistro.

The Reindeer Park in Egilsstaðir is truly unique in Iceland – the only place where you can get up close and personal with reindeer.  The park began in 2021, when two reindeer calves were found without their mother and in very poor condition. The owner took them in and, against all odds, managed to save their lives. Today, they are nearly fully grown and thriving. Since then, others have contacted us when they’ve found sick or abandoned reindeer, and the herd has slowly grown. Today, the park is home to four rescued reindeer – and it’s quickly becoming a popular destination for visitors.  This is an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Our reindeer are incredibly friendly and comfortable around people, giving you the chance to pet them and even feed them – a truly unforgettable encounter with Icelandic wildlife.  Check out more about us on our website or on Instagram to follow our adventures. 

The Hús Handanna Shop is to find at the most trafficked crossroads in Eastern Iceland and in the heart of Egilsstadir town.The shop was established in 2010 and from the first day the main focus has been on representing Icelandic / East-Icelandic goods founded on our culture and our lifestyle.The Hús Handanna Shop is environmentally friendly and an artistic life-style-shop, offering a wide variety of Icelandic product design, art crafts, clothing design, art creative writing etc.Our special emphasis is on offering goods that benefit our environment and ourselves. We even have some gourmet specialities from the local community.At Hús Handanna Shop among other items, you will find shampoo in a travel kit, waxed napkins for the sandwiches, warm stockings - or even a good book. And of course your own personal souvenir from your travel.  You are always Welcome!  

The Egilsstaðir Sports Center features an outdoor swimming pool with two hot tubs, a children's pool, a cold tub, a wading e. pool, a steam bath, and a waterslid  On the upper floor of the building is a fitness facility, Héraðsþrek, which offers a well-equipped gym for physical training.

You can happily play golf on the course in Fljótsdalshérað. There is a cozy 9-hole course run by Fljótsdalshérað golf club. The course is called Ekkjufellsvöllur and is par 70 in addition to boasting a par-5 course, six par-4 courses, and two par-3 courses.

Finnsstaðir is a family-run business located just five minutes from the town of Egilsstaðir. Finnsstaðir offers a range of services, including riding tours, accommodation and a camp ground. Horseback riding is at the heart of Finnsstaðir’s offerings. The farm provides well-trained Icelandic horses known for their excellent temperament and clear, well-beated tölt. The tölt is a natural gait unique to the Icelandic horse, characterized by its smooth, four-beat rhythm that allows for a comfortable, nearly bounce-free riding experience. All riding tours are conducted in small, private groups and led by a knowledgeable local guide. Standard tours typically last between one and two hours, with a strong focus on safety, enjoyment, and creating lasting memories for every guest. Longer tours may be arranged for experienced riders upon request, subject to availability. Accommodation at Finnsstaðir includes a spacious main house, remote private house and a campground. The main house features three bedrooms and comfortably accommodates up to six guests. It includes two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and all modern amenities such as a washing machine, dryer, and reliable high-speed Wi-Fi. Guests can also enjoy a private outdoor hot tub situated on a platform with scenic views of the surrounding landscape. In addition to the main house, Finnsstaðir offers another house, a more remote guesthouse for those seeking greater privacy. We also offer other experiences at our farm such as stable visits, paddock rides and tasting of icelandic treats and pastries.

The horse rental/The travel service at Stóra-Sandfell is located 17 km. south of Egilsstaðir, by highway 95. When driving over the road called Öxi (which is the shortest route) or Breiðdalsheiði, the roads lie between Höfn and Egilsstaðir. We offer horseriding, 1-2 hours tours, through Sandfell's forest and nearby. All of the horseriding tours are monitored by a guide. We always try to make sure we find a horse that suits each and every rider well. Before each trip we go over all safety rules and do some practice rounds inside a fence. There is no fixed time for the riding tours, so all tours are planned individually. The minimum number of riders is 2 for each trip and the maximum is 10 riders. The accommodation is open from May 15th – September 15th.The horse rental is open from June 1th – September 15th.The campsite is open from June 1th – August 31th.  For further information and reservations, please go to our website or contact us through phone or e-mail.

The travel service at Stóra-Sandfell is located 17 km. south of Egilsstaðir, by highway 95. When driving over the road called Öxi (which is the shortest route) or Breiðdalsheiði, the roads lie between Höfn and Egilsstaðir. At our facilities we offer many different types of accomodations, cottages, rooms or at our campsite. We also offer horseriding tours through Sandfell‘s forest and nearby. Many lovely hiking trails are in the area. Our accomodations are close to all of the major tourist-attractions in the Eastern Fjords. The travel service at Stóra-Sandfell has been run by the same family for 30 years and combines experience with eastern hospitality. We put emphasis on having a good and personal contact with our all guests and want to make sure they will be able to enjoy themselves in a beautiful and relaxing enviroment, surrounded by Icelandic nature. We do offer 10 cottages, of different types, but all are build for 2-4 persons. All of them do have a private kitchenette and access to a gas grill. Six of the cottages have private bathrooms but the other four share a bathhouse together. The 3 rooms each have a private enterence and a small private bathroom. All rooms share a kitchen and all have access to a gas grill. The campsite is surounded by the old birch forest and is ideal for families or induviduals with tents or campers. On the site there are dining benches, making it comfortable to eat outside in the nature. A small stream goes through the campsite and is perfect for the younger members of the family to make a splash in. In the restrooms we have toilets, showers and outdoor sinks with cold and hot water. All of the horseriding tours are monitored by a guide. We always try to make sure we find a horse that suits each and every rider well. Before each trip we go over all safety rules and do some practice rounds inside a fence. There is no fixed time for the riding tours, so all tours are planned individually. The minimum number of riders is 2 for each trip and the maximum is 10 riders. We are open as follows:The accommodation is open from May 15th – September 15th.The horse rental is open from June 1th – September 15th.The campsite is open from June 1th – August 31th. For further information and reservations, please go to our website or contact us through phone or e-mail.

East Highlanders is a family business and run by a team of experienced drivers and guides who will help you create new memories in East Iceland. We at East Highlanders call ourselves memory creators; we offer day trips around the East for small groups and welcome larger and smaller groups in the Hallormsstadur forest. Our operation is built on a solid foundation and has welcomed guests since 2010. Our goal is to provide a memorable stay in the East. We strive to be socially and environmentally responsible, meeting the needs of our guests and exceeding their expectations. Please check out our website, and let's create new memories together. Day tripsExperience the East in peace and privacy. Day trips are perfect for smaller groups. We offer private jeep tours with guides who will take you and your group around the area and explore the main attractions of East Iceland. you can book a trip to Studlagil, Mjoifjordur and Borgarfjordur Eystri. We can also create a tailor-made tour if you want to see something else. Hallormstadur forestIn the forest, we welcome groups and offer axe throwing. Axe throwing has deep roots and was popular in the Viking age. Today axe throwing has been modernized into a competitive sport, and the aim of the sport is to hit the bullseye on a target. If you are competitive and want to get the adrenaline going, then this is an activity for you. Get in touch with your inner Viking and step back in time while you throw axes in the forest. We offer 1 hour of axe throwing. This activity takes place outdoors, so please dress according to the weather. This activity is relatively easy and effortless. The difficulty lever is similar to bowling and throwing darts. Therefore suitable for everybody. . This activity takes place outdoors and is great for those who want to have fun. Let's make good memories together and see you in a good mood - the East Highlanders team. ​ 

Tjarnargarðurinn is a lush park in the heart of Egilsstaðir, with beautiful woodland. Its name is derived from the pond that it surrounds. It is a nice place to relax, enjoy the weather, play, or have a picnic. The Frisbee golf court is found in this recreation area. Frisbees can be found at the camping site in Egilsstaðir.

Selskógur is a popular outdoor recreation area located east of Egilsstaðir, across the Eyvindará. A network of trails winds through the forest, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. Selskógur is ideal for outdoor activities all year round. It is perfect for a relaxing walk, a bike ride, or cross-country skiing in winter. During the winter months, a groomed cross-country ski track is prepared in the forest and is lit in the evenings. You can find updates about the track conditions here.  Most of the trails are easy to walk and run either through the forest or alongside the river. There are also more challenging paths for those who want to explore further, either on foot or by bike. With several different routes available, visitors of all abilities can find a trail that suits them. Throughout the forest you will find resting spots with benches where you can sit down and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. There is also a playground with equipment for children of all ages, as well as barbecue facilities. Nearby is a large grassy area that is perfect for playing football or other outdoor games.

The birchwood remnants at Hallormsstaður farm were protected in 1905, making it Iceland’s first national forest. Today, birch forest and woodland cover about 350 hectares within the original fenced area, and a variety of tree species have been planted on another 200 hectares. Large areas to the north and south have been annexed to the forest more recently and either planted with trees or allowed to naturally regenerate with birch. A total of 85 tree species from over 600 locations worldwide can be found in the forest, covering around 740 hectares.Lands managed by the Land and Forest Service are designated as National Forests. These areas are open to everyone year-round and are located throughout Iceland. Many, like Hallormsstaður Forest, are easily accessible and offer a variety of facilities for outdoor recreation. Others require a 4WD vehicle or hiking up steep hillsides to enjoy.Hallormsstaður Forest is ideal for hiking, strolling, or biking. There are well-marked trails, in different colors, throughout much of the surrounding woodland. These trails are shown on a clear map published by the Forestry Service. The maps can be downloaded HERE.There are two camping sites in the forest: one in Atlavík and the other in Höfðavík. Both sites have small and large flat areas among the trees and are close to Lake Lagarfljót. Foresters will collect the payment for camping. More information can be found on our Facebook page.Rest places and picnic areas are scattered throughout the forest. For example, in Stekkjarvík, there is a barbecue area and a playground. The arboretum in Hallormsstaður is unique in the Arctic region. 

The Hallormsstaður Arboretum is unique in Iceland, comprising a collection of around 80 tree species originating from various parts of the world. In addition to trees, there are also various species of shrubs. Begin your walk through the arboretum from the car park by the main road and follow the paths. Allow yourself plenty of time, about 2-3 hours, to explore the arboretum, enjoy the surroundings, and breathe in the fresh air. Walk down to Lake Lagarfljót, enjoy a picnic, and listen to the birds singing.Forestry in Hallormsstaður began in 1903 by fencing off 12 hectares for a tree nursery called Mörk. Half a hectare was prepared as nursery beds, marking the beginning of the nursery. In 1905, 50 Engelmann spruces were planted on the upper half of Mörk. Now, only five of these trees remain, and they are the oldest spruces in the forest, standing close to the parking lot.Over the years, single trees and groups of various species have been planted in Mörk. This arboretum is already the most impressive in the country, offering visitors a good opportunity to see both common and rare species. 

Húsey farm is renowned for its picturesque nature, abundant wildlife and hiking opportunities. A marked hiking route will take you towards river Jökulsá where seals and seal pups hang out in the river mouth and out to Héraðssandur black sand beach. Húsey is a bird watchers' paradise and with nesting grounds of red-throated divers, parasitic jaegers and great skuas, to name a few. The walk takes you across the open plains around Húsey farm, on the coast of Héraðsflói Bay. You can choose between a 6 km route (approx. 2 hours) or a longer 14 km circular route. The area is rich in birdlife, and seals can often be seen in the rivers and along the shore. The walk starts at the information sign just inside the gate at Húsey. Follow the trail towards the Jökulsá River and then along the riverbanks until you reach a small box containing a guestbook and stamp. The box is located by a table near the sea, approximately 3 km from the farm. Continue towards Húsey farm and follow the road back to complete the circle. Distance: 6 km GPS coordinates: N65°38.775 – W14°14.670 Húsey is the easternmost farm in Hróarstunga, situated on a 30 km² island between the Jökulsá á Dal (Jökla) and Lagarfljót rivers. The highest point is Sandhóll, at 13 m above sea level. The landscape has been shaped by the two rivers and the powerful waves of Héraðsflói Bay. The area consists of sandy shores, dunes, heathland and wetlands. Strong northerly winds can carry sand inland, making it difficult for vegetation to establish. Land reclamation efforts include planting marram grass and strengthening the vegetation cover. Húsey is a remarkable natural area and is listed as a protected site. Around 30 species of birds breed in the area, and reindeer, arctic foxes and mink can occasionally be spotted. Seals are particularly common, often gathering in large numbers in the rivers or resting on the sandbanks. Trout and salmon are also caught in the rivers. Húsey is well known for its unusual and abundant wildlife. The farmer, Örn Þorleifsson, has become something of a local legend for raising orphaned seal pups in a pond near the farm. He has also attracted greylag geese, which roam freely around the farm. For further information, please contact the Húsey hostel.   GPS : N65°38.775-W14°14.670   Powered by Wikiloc