Northwest Iceland: Birdlife, History and Nature Experiences

Northwest Iceland offers nature experiences with very different character: you can enjoy the views from a hiking trail, watch birds at a wetland or explore the history of the Viking Age. Drangey and Hvítserkur also lend their own distinctive character to the landscape. Which of these appeals to you most may influence your choice of holiday rental and where you stay.

Birdwatching and nature trails

A wetland has been restored at Gauksmýri Pond, where 45 bird species breed. A 500-metre-long trail leads to a birdwatching hut. Inside, you will find information about birds and binoculars. The trail is suitable for everyone, making it possible to plan a nature experience without a longer hike being the main focus. For families, this offers a practical way to enjoy birdwatching: the trail, information and binoculars are all part of one place to visit.

If you would rather go for a hike, Húnaþing vestra is home to Lombervegur. The trail is considered easy, and the hike is listed as taking one to two hours. It is designated for March to October. At one point, you will need to climb over a gate. Along the way, you can enjoy views of glaciers to the south and Húnaflói Bay to the north. This information can help you plan a hiking day differently from a visit focused on observing and learning about the wetland.

Drangey in Skagafjörður offers another perspective on nature: the island rises almost 200 metres above the water. Its steep sea cliffs provide nesting sites for large numbers of seabirds, making it an important bird habitat. Drangey is also closely connected with Grettir’s Saga. Here, birdlife and a well-known literary connection come together. Hvítserkur, by contrast, is a 15-metre-high rock on the eastern side of the Vatnsnes Peninsula and is one of North Iceland’s best-known landmarks. Visitors can walk down to the beach and view the rock up close.

History and special experiences

In Sauðárkrókur, the exhibition 1238: The Battle of Iceland explores Viking battles and events from the Sturlung Age, from 1220 to 1264. These include the Battle of Örlygsstaðir. This interactive, immersive historical experience uses virtual reality and is suitable for visitors of all ages. If you would like to include cultural history in your trip, you can choose an exhibition experience focused on a specific historical period and named event, rather than shaping your stay solely around nature observation or physical activity.

Geothermal pools near Reykir

There are two natural geothermal pools at Reykir in Skagafjörður: Grettislaug and Jarlslaug. Grettislaug in Reykir also has showers, a campsite and a guesthouse. This makes it a different kind of destination from the hiking and birdwatching options. In the Húnaþing vestra area, the landscape includes green heathland, lively coastlines, high mountain peaks, and rivers and lakes where people fish; seal-watching trips are offered from Hvammstangi.

Explore the subregions

To help plan your trip, you can explore the subregions of Northwest Iceland individually: Hvammstangi, Varmahlíð, Skagaströnd, Hólar, Hofsós, Blönduós, Undirfell, Ríp, Svínavatn, Laugarbakki, Lækjamót, Húnavatn, Vidhidalstunga and Miklibær. When choosing a holiday rental, consider which of the experiences described are most important for your trip; this can help you focus your accommodation search on what you prefer.

For the main travel overview: Iceland.