Finnsstaðir

Take the driveway up to and above Heiðarsel farm and turn to the left before you come to the farm Nátthagi. Walk from a sign by the old road above Nátthagi. Walk up to the top and further on to the right where you get to the cylinder with the visitors' log and stamp. It is pleasant to walk on from Heiðarendi descend and walk back by the old gravel road.

Part of Hiking Treasures in Egilsstaðir Region

GPS : N65°23.085-W14°33.819

Walk from the sign by the gate to Fjallasel farm, where you take an old road up above the farm. When you arrive up to turn off the road to the right and walk onto Rangárhnúkur where you will find the cylinder with the visitors' log and stamp. On the way back it is a good idea to walk down to Egilssel farm and walk on towards Fjallssel farm. Then you will pass Dansgjá which is a peculiar creek or ravine through tall cliffs west of Staffellsbjörg cliffs right off the road and marks the borders of the farms.

Part of Hiking Treasures in Egilsstaðir Region

GPS : N65°19.410-W14°35.498

Drive the gravel road up to Fjallssel farm and to the highest spot south-west of Hafrafell. Walk from the sign by the road towards the antennas on Hrafnafell where you can find the cylinder with the visitors' log and stamp. Do walk on to Hafrafellsrétt livestock pen (N65°18.02-W14°29.23) which is man-made of rocks and stones, between cliffs slightly to the east of the trail.

It is also very nice to descend east of Hrafnafell and see Kvíahellir cave (N65°18,359-W14°29,063). If you take the circle the walk is 5.8 km long and a red trail.

Part of Hiking Treasures in Egilsstaðir Region

GPS : N65°18,304-W14°29,098

A great trail for hiking which involves crossing Vestdalsheiði mountain range, from Hérað to Seyðisfjörður. Vestdalsheiði heath used to be a frequently traveled road. People walked along Gilsá river, across the heath, and into Vestdalur valley. Walk from the sign in Fjarðarheiði (N65°15.577-W14°13.524) and head towards the western part of the mountain Bjólfur. You will see the Lake when you get near the mountain.

This is a nice walk in rolling hills. When you get to Vesdalsvatn you can choose between three routes if you don´t want to take the same route back. Down Vestdalur by a staked trail to Seyðisfjörður; down Gilsárdalur valley down towards Gilsárteigur farm (east of Eiðar in Fljótsdalshérað) or go west of Bjólfur mountain down to Stafdalur valley. The cylinder with the visitors' logbook and a stamp is where Gilsá river runs out from the lake. You will need to cross the river if you choose to walk from Fjarðarheiði.

Part of Hiking Treasures in Egilsstaðir Region

GPS : N65°17.102-W14°17.887

Fardagafoss er skammt frá Egilsstöðum við rætur Fjarðarheiðar. Hann er efstur þriggja fossa í Miðhúsaánni en hinir heita Gufufoss og Folaldafoss. Merkt gönguleið liggur að Fardagafossi og er hún greiðfær næstum alla leið. Bak við fossinn er hellir. Sagnir herma að í honum hafi haldið til tröllskessa og var því trúaðað frá þeim helli lægju jarðgöng yfir í Gufufoss í Fjarðará, handan heiðarinnar. Önnur sögn hermir að náttröll búi í hellinum er hafi í fórum sínum ketil fullan af gulli.

Höttur (Hátúnahöttur) is a beautiful mountain which lies in the mountain range between Vellir and Fagridalur and is favored by many who live in Egilsstaðir.

Walk from the sign by road nr 1 east of Gilsá river (N65°08,172-W14°31.133), towards Grjótá river by Víðihjalli and up along the river. Onwards and up to Hattarhólar, turn inland and ascend to the top of Höttur (1106 m).

Part of Hiking Treasures in Egilsstaðir Region.

GPS : N65°07.63-W14°27.25

Rauðshaugur is a rock or a hill protruding from the farm Höfði and can be seen widely from Hérað. According to legend it is the burial heap of farmer Rauður or Ásrauður in the sagas and from there two similar heaps can be located, the burial heap Bessahaugur in Fljótsdalur and the heap Ormarshaugur in Fell. Legend Rauður was buried with all his riches.

People are said to have tried digging into the pile of rocks but always had to give up because of a burning vision of the homestead in Ketilsstadir. Walk from the sign by Fagridalur road (N65°14.590 -W14°21.156) along the trail on Egilsstaðaháls towards Rauðshaugur.

Part of Hiking Treasures in Egilsstaðir Region

GPS : N65°12.77-W14°23.01

Walk from the sign by road no 1 road east of Gilsá river (N65°08,172-W14°31.133), pass the ruins of Hátún which used to be a large farm in the early ages. It is said to have had 18 doors on iron hinges and latches. Remains of old rock fences are visible.

In the 19th century, an ancient sword was discovered there but it was promptly melted down and the metal cast for horseshoes and other necessities. Walk on further and along a flat grassy pasture named Kálfavellir. Valtýshellir is a small cavity further on behind some rubble north of Hjálpleysuvatn lake. The walk is about 8,4 km. The visitors' log and a stamp are by the cave.

GPS : N65°06.410-W14°28.517

Tvísöngur sculpture, by artist Lukas Kühne, mixes concrete, nature, and sound to create an interactive tribute to Iceland's unique tradition of five-tone harmony.

The installation piece looks like a grouping of interconnected cement bubbles from afar. Up close the five segments are quite large, ranging from roughly 6 to 12 feet tall and can be entered via rounded arches built into the walls. Once inside the stark industrial domes, visitors will find that they have each been designed to resonate at different harmonies as the wind blowing in off the cliff rushes through the openings. The collective effect is almost as though the wind itself is playing a giant instrument.

The five chambers of the piece are meant to recall the Icelandic musical tradition of quintal harmony, with each dome reflecting a tone in the tradition. Juxtaposed with the serene and stark surroundings, it seems as though Iceland itself is creating the music. Tvísöngur is a permanent work and is meant to keep the country's musical traditions alive, which is not an easy thing to do simply with concrete.

Stafdalur ski resort in Seyðisfjörður is located near road nr 93 between Egilsstaðir and Seyðisfjörður. In the area are 3 skilifts and hills for all kind of skiers.

Beginner's lift is a rope lift 100 meters long and only open on weekends and holidays. Lift nr 1 is a tow lift 900 meters long and has 190 meters vertical drop. Lift nr 2 is a tow lift 700 meters long and has 160 meters vertical drop.

Stafdalur has a nordic ski track which is about 5 km long.

Ski and snowboard rental is on the area and a hut for all guests.

Gufufoss waterfall is a beautiful waterfall in Seyðisfjörður. The name is due to the steam emitted by the waterfall and envelops it in a certain mystery. The road over Fjarðaheiði lies next to the waterfall, and the access to it is very good.

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.