Skálanes Nature Reserve

by coach & on foot

This experience provides a wonderful opportunity to visit one of Iceland’s most remote places: one that few Icelanders have been able to witness.

Departing from the port, your journey will take you along an untarmacked track, following the southern coastline of the fjord. Your first stop will be at Þórarinsstaðir to view the ruins of an abandoned farm where important excavations of an early settlement church and graveyard have taken place.

Your journey continues to Skálanes, experiencing Icelandic nature along the way as you cross rivers and admire the natural rock formations.

Skálanes Nature and Heritage Centre is situated in a restored farmhouse set within its own nature reserve at the mouth of Seyðisfjörður. The independent field centre hosts students from all over the world during the summer, carrying out their studies and research. Mountains, vast sea cliffs, secluded beaches and vibrant meadows are all bound by the sea, making Skálanes a perfect place to study East Iceland’s environment.

Your guide will lead you on a walk around the area, where birdlife is prolific. Depending on the time of year, you may witness colonies of Arctic terns, puffins, eider ducks and many other species within close proximity of the centre. You should also keep a look out for seals, whales and reindeer, all of which are sometimes spotted in this area.

Following your visit, you will rejoin your coach for the return drive to Seyðisfjörður.