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Fljótsdalshérað
Fljótsdalshérað The Hérað region contains two municipalities: Fljótsdalshérað and Fljótsdalur. Extending from the black beaches of Héraðssandur in the north to Vatnajökull glacier in the south, Hérað comprises about 10% of Iceland’s total land area, and has a population of approximately 3,900 people. The river Lagarfljót, running from the glacier to the sea, crosses both municipalities and is one of the region’s most renowned features, partly because it is home to a famous monster, the Lagarfljót Wyrm.
Nature and the outdoors Among Icelanders, Hérað has long had a reputation for beautiful scenery and good weather. The rapidly growing woods contribute to the pleasant weather, and you can find shelter there when chilly winds are blowing off the ocean. On still, summer evenings in the forest around Hallormsstaður, warm breezes from the south or west are often reminiscent of a continental climate. Numerous places in Hérað are ideal for outdoor recreation, with few other parts of Iceland being able to match the combination of high waterfalls, abundant vegetation, tranquil lakes and interesting wildlife. By taking the convenient routes leading up out of Fljótsdalur valley or from National Road No. 1 towards North Iceland, you can easily access spectacular highland scenery, where the bleakness of the glacier and deserted wastes contrast with richly vegetated oases.
The locals The main centre of population in Hérað consists of the neighbouring villages of Egilsstaðir and Fellabær. When considering residents of the region as a whole, the words “creative energy” seem to describe them well. The outstanding variety in local design and production is pleasantly integrated into daily life. “Austfirskar krásir
Local Food” is a logo for quality products that are also available at many regional restaurants. Besides food, handmade or tailored goods made from local natural materials such as wood, wool, bone, horn or reindeer skin can also be found. Exercise and outdoor recreation are popular pastimes among residents, who enjoy the wide range of opportunities for getting out in nature, whether winter or summer.
Services While Hérað attracts large numbers of tourists during summertime, it is no less exciting over the winter. The high level of services is characterised by the friendly attitude of the locals, who take pride in serving every visitor well. Egilsstaðir offers a wide selection of shops and other businesses, including branches of many of Iceland’s leading firms. Top-notch restaurants include fresh local food on the menu, and the overnight options include good hotels and guesthouses, campgrounds, holiday cottages and farm accommodation. All year round, tourism companies offer a variety of organised trips, so that all family members will find something to enjoy.
Vatnajökull National Park Fljótsdalshérað adjoins the largest national park in western Europe, Vatnajökull National Park. More than half of the park is covered by glacier, but the park also demonstrates a unique interplay of ice with geothermal and volcanic activity. The eastern territory of Vatnajökull National Park is home to many of the country’s best-known natural highlights, including Kverkfjöll, Hafrahvammagljúfur, Hvannalindir and Snæfell. Before heading up into the park highlands, the Snæfell Visitor Centre is worth a stop to obtain further travel information.
On a global level, the most famous Hérað resident is certainly the Wyrm. Legend has it that a young farm girl by the Lagarfljót lake laid a slug from a bush on a golden ring in a box. She had heard this would increase her gold. However, when the girl opened the box again, she was not greeted by any noticeable growth of gold, but was terrified by a rapidly growing slug. In her panic, she threw the box and its entire contents out into the lake. However, the slug soon became a huge wyrm that often emerged to scare people and sometimes to belch poison over the farmland along the shores. Two Sama magicians finally managed to chain the monster’s head and tail to the bottom of the lake, so that it will never again be able to kill anyone until Judgement Day. Thus there is no need to be alarmed if you ever see it arch its back above the surface. Information signs about the Lagarfljót Wyrm can be found at rest stops by Hafursá, Atlavík, Klifá and Hrafnkelsstaðir, all with a clear view of the lake where the Wyrm might appear.
Jón Baldur Hlíðberg
The Lagarfljót Wyrm
www.ormur.com
Wildlife While reindeer can be found throughout the region, the majority of the Icelandic population keeps to the highlands northeast of Vatnajökull glacier. Whether you want to shoot game or just pictures, you will find plenty of worthy targets in Hérað, including ducks, ptarmigans, geese and even seals, as well as reindeer. It should be noted that most of the area is in private ownership, so that hunters must get permission first. Anglers have a wide range of fishing opportunities in the region’s rivers and lakes, while information on permits can be obtained at the information centre in Egilsstaðir.
Annually occurring cultural events Early May - Art Without Borders - The annual arts festival Art Without Borders highlights the diversity of human society Early June - RoadRage - rock concert in the Slaughterhouse Middle of June - Egilsstaðir - Fellabær Lowlands Rogaine 17th June every year - Icelandic Independence Day Late June - Great Forest Day - A family festival in the Hallormsstaður woods Late June - Egilsstaðir and East Iceland Jazz Festival: the 25-year jubilee Middle of July - Annual summer sports festival of the Young People’s Association of East Iceland Early August - Hrafnkell’s Day, Aðalból - The celebration starts with a trip to sites from Hrafnkell’s Saga Early August - Tour du Wyrm - Cycling race around the lake at the head of Lagarfljót river Middle of August - Ormsteiti Regional Festival - A ten-day-long celebration throughout the region of Fljótsdalshérað Late August - Jökuldalsheiði Highlands Rogaine, 2013 October - Reykjavík International Film Festival - selected films 1 - 11 November - East Iceland Days of Darkness 20 November - 31 December - East Iceland Christmas
Special attractions
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I was here!
Sænautasel □ The remote highland farm of Sænautasel was inhabited from 1843 to 1943. Now rebuilt, the turf buildings give visitors an insight into the living conditions of earlier Icelandic generations. Some say that this farmstead was a model used by the Nobel Prize winning author Halldór Laxness in his novel Independent People.
Hallormsstaður woods Nowadays, Hallormsstaður is Iceland’s largest forest. Trails stretching over approximately 40 km make this one of East Iceland’s most popular areas for outdoor recreation. In late summer and autumn, people come here to pick mushrooms and berries of various species. Atlavík, a sheltered inlet in the middle of the woods, often offers extremely pleasant weather, while the interplay of forest and lake waters is unique in Iceland.
Stórurð Stórurð is one of East Iceland’s star attractions, a secluded spot consisting of tranquil ponds, gigantic blocks of rock and flat meadows. This unique landscape at the foot of Dyrfjöll (Door Mountains) can be reached in 2.5 hours via a marked trail from Vatnsskarð pass. The recommended hiking season is from July.
I was here!
Hengifoss Located in Fljótsdalur valley, this waterfall is Iceland’s second highest and one of Hérað’s most popular attractions. The backdrop to the fall is highly picturesque, due to red clay layers between the Tertiary basalt strata. On the fairly easy trail from the highway to Hengifoss, the outstandingly graceful basalt columns by the waterfall Litlanesfoss call for even more photos.
I was here!
Kárahnjúkar Dam and Hafrahvammagljúfur Located at the upper end of Hafrahvammagljúfur canyon, this dam was built as part of Iceland’s largest, most controversial construction project to date. Since then, tourists have flocked here to view the huge development as well as the canyon below, which is one of the deepest and most spectacular in Iceland.
Fardagafoss □ This waterfall is situated about 5 km east of Egilsstaðir, on the lower part of the mountain slopes. The hike up the trail takes about half an hour and provides impressive panoramas of Hérað. Legend says it pays to enter the shallow cave behind the waterfall and make a wish, while signing the present-day visitors’ book is also a must.
I was here!
I was here!
I was here!
I was here!
I was here!
I was here!
Kverkfjöll This central volcano is one of Iceland’s most powerful high-temperature areas, where geothermal energy has melted caves in the glacial ice. The magnificent interplay of ice and fire can be experienced during summer, when adventurous guided walks are offered.
Stapavík The historical trading point of Krosshöfði, by Stapavík inlet, lies in a magnificent setting. The trail starts somewhat above Unaós farmstead, then heads towards the river Selfljót and follows it to Krosshöfði, by the river mouth. The high rocks and cliffs of Stapavík can then soon be reached on the seacoast to the right. In the early 20th century, this trading point was important for the broad valley of Fljótsdalshérað, and goods were landed in the inlet until the 1950s, when a road was built over the mountain range to Borgarfjörður and the harbour there.
Laugarvellir Not far northwest of Kárahnjúkar Dam, the ruins of Laugarvellir farm still stand by a small geothermal stream which runs off a low cliff into the nearby river. One can hardly imagine a more intimate immersion in Icelandic nature than showering off one’s highland dust in the warm waterfall.
Snæfell At a height of 1833 metres, this majestic mountain welcomes you into the eastern territory of Vatnajökull National Park. A fairly easy climb, Snæfell is also the highest mountain in Iceland which is not enclosed within major glaciers, and is thus a popular destination for hikers.
Skriðuklaustur Once one of the principal farms in Fljótsdalur valley, Skriðuklaustur is currently a centre for culture and history. This large, turf-roofed building was erected for author Gunnar Gunnarsson in 1939. Just below, monastery ruins can now be viewed, after being recently unearthed by a prominent archaeological excavation. The monastery was operated from 1493 until the Icelandic reformation in the mid-sixteenth century.
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Snæfellsstofa This visitor centre for the eastern territory of Vatnajökull National Park merits attention for its architecture alone, as well as for the beautiful view over the valley, but it also provides useful information about attractions, hiking trails, and the nature and wildlife of the park.
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Stafdalur The skiing area in Stafdalur valley rises just above the road from Egilsstaðir to Seyðisfjörður. The area offers a good variety of slopes for beginners and the more experienced, not to mention fabulous views on clear days.
I was here!
Also to be recommended: • Vallanes: Organic food delicacies and an adventurous Wyrm Monster Path • Húsey: Seals, foxes, reindeer and birds in their natural environment • Klaustursel: Mini zoo at a farm in Jökuldalur valley • Geirsstaðir church: A reconstruction of the building from a thousand years ago • Aðalból farm in Hrafnkelsdalur valley: Home of the saga hero Hrafnkell • Möðrudalur: Highest point of settlement in Iceland • Laugarfell: Geothermal springs and pool near the foot of Snæfell mountain • Eiðar: Historical centre for chieftains and the church • Galtastaðir Fram: Turf farmhouse from the 19th century
Hiking Treasures in Hérað Hérað’s Hiking Treasures are walking adventures suggested by the local touring club. Over 20 selected routes are offered, each leading to a destination where a container with site information, a visitors’ book and a stamp can be found. If you fill a card with stamps and turn it in by a certain date, you may win a prize. The Hiking Treasures card, along with area hiking maps which include GPS coordinates and useful instructions in Icelandic and English, can be obtained from the Egilsstaðir Information Centre.
Egilsstaðir - Fellabær Have you seen any elves, the so-called hidden people, in the Egilsstaðir cliffs? Have you walked along the trails of Selskógur woods and seen the outdoor theatre? Have you visited Gálgás cliff, near the church, where there once were an execution place? Have you tried the Olympic hop, step and jump at the sports field? Have you walked up from Fénaðarklöpp street to the panoramic viewpoint? Have you seen the latest exhibition in the Slaughterhouse Culture Centre? Have you visited the heritage museum? Have you seen the cows at the Egilsstaðir farm? Have you played golf at the Ekkjufell field? Have you relaxed in the geothermal hot tubs at the swimming pool? Have you tasted the delicious dishes at the restaurants or looked into some of the stores? Have you become acquainted with any of the locals?
Further information, for instance regarding accomodation, restaurants, recreation access and opening hours, can be obtained at the Tourist Information Centre in Egilsstaðir. The telephone number is +354 471 2320, email info@east.is and website www.east.is
Tourists are advised to take care when travelling through deserted areas, and should drive only on designated vehicle tracks and roads.
www.east.is Vopnafjörður Hellisheiði
Húsey
Stapavík Borgarfjörður
Mývatn - Akureyri
Svartiskógur Geirsstaðakirkja Galtastaðir fram
Kjarvalshvammur
Brúarás Möðrudalur
Stórurð
Skjöldólfsstaðir
Eiðar
Fellabær Egilsstaðir
Sænautasel Klaustursel
Fljótsdalshérað
Seyðisfjörður Fardagafoss
Mjóifjörður Eyjólfsstaðaskógur Einarsstaðir Norðfjörður
Hallormsstaður Hengifoss
Laugarvellir Aðalból
Végarður
Atlavík
Eskifjörður Reyðarfjörður
Snæfellsstofa Skriðuklaustur
Fáskrúðsfjarðargöng Fáskrúðsfjörður
Dimmugljúfur Kárahnjúkastífla Hálslón
Laugarfell
Fljótsdalshreppur
Stöðvarfjörður
Öxi
Breiðdalsvík
Snæfell
Djúpivogur Höfn - Skaftafell Papey
Publisher: Fljótsdalshérað, www.egilsstadir.is Graphic design and printing: Héraðsprent, Egilsstöðum Photographs: Skarphéðinn G. Þórisson, Steinrún Ótta Stefánsdóttir, Hreinn Halldórsson, Arkadiusz Piotr Kotecki, Hulda Daníelsdóttir, Anna Björk Guðjónsdóttir, Gunnar Gunnarsson, Magnús Baldur Kristjánsson, Skúli Björn Gunnarsson, Þórhallur Árnason, Þórveig Jóhannsdóttir, Jón Baldur Hlíðberg, Þráinn Lárusson, Glamour et cetera, Karl Vilhjálmsson, Philippe Patay Pétursson, Agnes Brá Birgisdóttir.