Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Water from Systravatn plunges into the Fossá valley at Systrafoss, a striking natural landmark in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Above the town lie a lake and hiking trails; there are also reminders of a medieval convent and stories connected to the landscape. You can shape your stay around outdoor activity, nature and local history.

Waterfall, lake and trails above the town

Systrafoss forms where the Fossá River flows down from Lake Systravatn. The lake lies above Kirkjubæjarklaustur, at the edge of the belt of cliffs. Hiking trails run nearby, including an easy route up to Systravatn. If you are looking for a more leisurely walk, you can include this route as a separate option in your day’s plans.

A longer hiking option is Ástarbrautin: this approximately 5 km circular trail runs above Kirkjubæjarklaustur, starts at Skaftárstofa and leads to Systrafoss. Most of the route crosses grass, with a steep 80-metre climb at the beginning. From the trail, you can look out over the town and the rootless scoria cones of Landbrotshólar. The distance, grassy surface and steep start give you concrete points to consider when deciding whether to plan a circular hike for the day rather than an easier walk to the lake.

Nearby Systrastapi also combines a striking landscape with a physically demanding outing: the steep rocky hill west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur can be climbed. A chain on its southern side provides a way up. From the summit, the view stretches across glaciers, the lava from the Laki eruption and the area around the town. If you would rather stay by the waterfall or lake, the trails around Systrafoss offer another way to experience the landscape.

Traces of the landscape and local history

Among the nearby natural features is Kirkjugólf, east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur on Road 203. This protected natural monument consists of columnar basalt. Eldmessutangi marks the spot west of Systrastapi where the lava came to a halt; this endpoint is still visible today. In the Systrafoss valley, there is also Fossasteinn, a large boulder that tumbled down the mountain in 1830 during a violent thunderstorm. These three places each tell a different story about basalt, lava and the forces that shaped the landscape.

The name Systrafoss is connected to the convent founded in Kirkjubær in 1186. The town was later named Kirkjubæjarklaustur after the convent. Systrastapi and Systravatn are also associated with local legends: according to one, two nuns were pulled into the depths of the lake when they reached for a hand wearing a gold ring. Another tradition holds that two nuns from the convent are buried at the summit of Systrastapi. Sönghellir lies between Systrastapi and Systravatn. The cave is associated with a story that the nuns of Kirkjubær and the monks of Þykkvabæjarklaustur communicated with each other by singing.

Minningarkapella Sr. Jóns Steingrímssonar was consecrated in 1974 as a memorial chapel to the clergyman Jón Steingrímsson (1728–1791). It stands a little east of the site of the old church. Gravestones in the old cemetery of Kirkjubæjarklaustur commemorate, among others, Jón Steingrímsson and his wife Þórunn. When choosing a holiday apartment in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, these places of cultural and historical interest can be a factor just as much as hiking or nature.

Exhibitions and another local amenity

Skaftárstofa is a tourist information centre in the Kirkjuhvoll community centre. It has a multimedia exhibition about the convent in Kirkjubær and an educational exhibition by Vatnajökull National Park and Katla Geopark. A natural history exhibition covers the Skaftá, the 2011 Grímsvötn eruption and the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. Skaftárstofa also has a large exhibition and event hall. The swimming pool at the Kirkjubæjarklaustur sports centre has a heated pool for adults and a children’s paddling pool. So, alongside the trails, exhibitions and a swimming pool offer different ways to enjoy the town.

Road 1 runs along the edge of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. When choosing where to stay, you can first consider whether your trip will focus mainly on hiking, cultural history or a mix of both. More destinations: Hruni, Vestmannaeyjabær, Háfur, Búðarhólshverfi, Flúdir, Hella, Vestmannaeyjar, Skeiðflötur.

For the broader travel overview: Sudurland.