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Inland

Shining the spotlight on the inland region of the east brings a few off-the-beaten-track surprises. The scenic shores of Lagarfljót are ripe for exploration; wild reindeer roam the empty heathlands; and the Snæfell area of Vatnajökull National Park sends a siren-call to experienced hikers.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Inland.

  • See

    Wilderness Center

    This brilliant attraction opened in 2016 and defies easy classification. It's a remote farm that offers museum exhibits, unique accommodation, local food, horse riding and hiking trails, and the opportunity for tailor-made tours, all year-round. It's 12km past Skriðuklaustur on Rte 934, at the end of Norðudalur valley, on the edge of the eastern highlands. The historic exhibits here were designed by the farm's owners (a filmmaker and historian) so are of superb quality – as is the entire farm concept.

  • See

    Hengifoss

    Crossing the bridge across Lagarfljót on Rte 931, you’ll reach the parking area for lovely Hengifoss, Iceland’s second-highest waterfall. The falls plummet 128m into a photogenic brown-and-red-striped boulder-strewn gorge. Getting to Hengifoss requires a return walk of one to two hours (2.5km each way). From the car park, a staircase and path lead up the hillside – Hengifoss is soon visible in the distance. It’s a steep climb in places but flattens out as you enter the canyon.

  • See

    Skriðuklaustur

    Skriðuklaustur is the site of both an excavated, late-15th-century monastery and the photogenic home of an Icelandic author feted by the Third Reich. The unusual black-and-white turf-roofed building was built in 1939 by Gunnar Gunnarsson (1889–1975), and now holds a cultural centre dedicated to him. This prolific writer achieved phenomenal popularity in Denmark and Germany – at the height of his fame only Goethe outsold him.

  • See

    Kárahnjúkar Dam

    A scenic 60km drive from the Rte 910 turn-off takes you to the Kárahnjúkar dam and Hálslón reservoir, where information boards and viewing areas allow you to appreciate this vast feat of engineering, as well as observe the incredible Hafrahvammagljúfur canyon, below the dam.

  • See

    Aðalból

    Rte F923 (off Rte 910, for 4WDs only) leads you to the valley of Hrafnkelsdalur, full of sites relating to Hrafnkell’s Saga. The remote farm Aðalból was the home of the saga’s hero, Hrafnkell Freysgoði, and his burial mound is here. There’s a marked saga trail, threading together places mentioned in the story. There's a guesthouse and campground here.

  • See

    Minjasafn Austurlands

    Egilsstaðir’s cultural museum has sweet but unremarkable displays focusing on the region's history, and includes exhibits detailing the wild reindeer of the east.

  • See

    Viewpoint

    Take a stroll up to the Hringsjá viewpoint from Fénaðarklöpp, for panoramas over the town and surrounds.