Hvanneyrarskál Walking Tour

Enjoy a beautiful short hike above Siglufjörður town

Iceland is a spectacular country with a rich, fascinating and occasionally tragic history. The winters are long, cold, dark, and snowy – and when you combine heavy snowfall with steep mountains, avalanches are a common occurrence. Many are small and harmless, but historically Iceland has suffered many devastating “snow floods”.

Siglufjörður is located in the most snow-heavy region of the country, beneath towering peaks which prevent any sunlight hitting the town through most of December and January. In order to prevent damage from avalanches, a series of defenses have been built into the hillside, which also double as a series of beautiful trails, offering fantastic views across the fjord and to the old settlement at Siglunes. This area is known as the Avalanche Garden.

So why not join us for a hike on these wonderful and functional trails – enjoy the fresh Icelandic air, beautiful nature and excellent views directly behind town!

An ideal evening experience

With departures at 16:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, this micro-adventure is the perfect leg-stretch after a day travelling to Siglufjörður. The hike takes approximately two and a half hours, and the trails are wide and gravelly. The highest point, Hvanneyrarskál, is around 150m (490ft) above sea level.

The trails are generally gravelly so sturdy shoes are recommended. This is a comfortable hike taken at a slow and steady pace, with lots of stops for pictures and discussions about what we can see and the history of the area.

Please note that construction work is ongoing in the avalanche garden area, and therefore the exact route may vary.

In a nutshell

A guided, gentle hike lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Looking for something more challenging? Take a look at our 4-6 hour guided mountain hikes !

Departures at 16:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or 10:00 on Sundays from June-September.

Price: 5.900kr

Make sure you’re dressed for the weather! Sturdy walking shoes or boots and a bottle of water recommended.