The Official Tourist Guide - East Iceland

8
MAIN TOWNS / VILLAGES
Vopnafjörður www.vopnafjardarhreppur.is
Vopnafjörður is a wide fjord in the northeast sheltered by the Smjörfjöll
mountains to the south, rising to 1079 meters and exstensive moors
to the north. The coast is spectacular with cliffs and columnar basalt.
Along the route 917 Hellisheiði you pass through the ruins of an
old volcano, with colourful rocks and marked hiking trails, and there
is Gljúfurá a river in a deep gorge with a spectacular waterfall. The
geology is fascinating and here the only fossil of a mammal dating
prior to the ice age was found,
telling a tale of large forests with
deer that may have come across
from Scotland on a land-bridge
millions of years ago.
Vopnafjörður has three main
valleys, with world famous salmon
fishing rivers such as Selá and
Hofsá. Vopnafjörður is a haven
for birdwatchers, especially
the waders and ducks on the
ocean-facing lagoons to the north
of the village. There is Eider-down farming and visitors are welcome
at Syðri-Vík to see how the precious down is collected.
The small town of Vopnafjörður is a major fishing harbour. Fish and
agricultural processing form the backbone of the town’s economy.
The village provides all basic services for the surrounding community,
Information for travellers is available in the heart of town at
Kaupvangur, built in 1882
now renovated and
home to Kaupvangskaffi
(tourist info & coffee
house), Múlastofa,
and the East Iceland
Emigration Centre.
Things to do:
Visit the Emigration Centre
Enjoy the musical Múlastofa
Soak in the hot spring pool in Selárdalur
Walk path to Fuglabjarganes
The Bustarfell Folk Museum and the Elves
The coast at Skjólsfjörur