Are you doing Iceland all wrong? Skip the Ring Road for this remote hidden gem instead

While not arsenic heavy visited arsenic immoderate different European countries for illustration Italy, France and Spain, Iceland still sees a batch of visitors astatine celebrated attractions specified arsenic nan Blue Lagoon and nan Golden Triangle each year. 

These destinations are now facing each excessively acquainted issues pinch overtourism, specified arsenic constricted accommodation, postulation congestion, infrastructure strain and biology damage. 

As much travellers activity to debar nan crowds, they are discovering immoderate of Iceland’s much overlooked regions. One specified region is nan chaotic and rugged Eastfjords, wherever travellers tin reconnect pinch quality done melodramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife. 

Stunning hikes, reindeer and puffin colonies

Despite nan vastness of nan Eastfjords, including almost 121 kilometres of coastline, from Borgarfjörður Eystri successful nan northbound to Berufjörður successful nan south, it is still 1 of nan astir sparsely populated regions successful Iceland. 

Forget autobus tours and endless queues, present visitors person ample opportunities for slow and serene travel, arsenic visitors craving solitude soak successful nan expansiveness. 

Hike and kayak on immoderate of Iceland’s astir distant fjords specified arsenic Mjoifjordur and Leirufjörður, which besides supply stunning photography opportunities, pinch rugged mountains, lush valleys and pristine waters. 

Walkers tin besides research nan Eastfjords' different stunning hiking trails, specified arsenic nan Hengifoss Waterfall and nan Stórurð Boulder Fields aliases task into Iceland’s largest forest, nan Hallormsstaður Forest. 

Soak successful nan Vök Baths, earthy geothermal baths pinch floating pools aliases sojourn nan Vestrahorn Mountain for stark landscapes and achromatic soil beaches. Or caput further down, to nan separator of nan Southeast region for nan Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, complete pinch icebergs, connected which you tin return a boat tour. 

“East Iceland is acold from nan crowds, and that’s precisely nan point. As 1 of nan astir distant regions successful Iceland, acold from nan world airdrome successful Keflavík, it offers a concentrated yet remarkably divers landscape: melodramatic fjords and mountains, serene valleys, coastal lowlands, forests, and nan Eastern highlands,” says Lilja Sigríður Jónsdóttir, task head astatine Visit Austurland.

Marvel astatine puffin colonies successful Hafnarhólmi, Borgarfjörður Eystri, wherever you mightiness moreover glimpse different seabirds for illustration fulmars and kittiwakes. With astir 10,000 puffin pairs during nesting season, you tin get up adjacent and individual pinch these magnificent birds from nan viewing level and boardwalks. Puffins and humanities ruins tin besides beryllium seen connected Papey Island, a short vessel thrust distant from Djúpivogur. 

The Eastfjords are besides location to Iceland’s only chaotic reindeer population. They tin beryllium seen astir Seyðisfjörður, Breiðdalsvík, nan eastbound portion of nan Vatnajökull National Park, arsenic good arsenic astir Egilsstaðir, nan largest municipality successful nan Eastfjords. Visit betwixt October and April for nan champion chances of reindeer viewing. 

Other activities see horseback rides, oversea angling and crystal cave tours.

Sleepy sportfishing villages and community-led tourism

East Iceland arsenic a whole, on pinch nan Eastfjords, has a very community-led and grassroots attack to tourism that is based connected heavy appreciation and belief successful nan region and what it has to offer, according to Jónsdóttir. 

This is aimed astatine encouraging travellers to walk longer successful nan region and research much passim nan year, alternatively of conscionable passing done successful summer. 

“Instead of competing, section stakeholders collaborate to pull visitors, item lesser-known places, and widen nan play into autumn and winter. And they person plentifulness to offer. Gourmet section restaurants, beautiful and varied hotels, hostels, guesthouses and workplace stays, on pinch a wide scope of activities. From hiking, biking and horseback riding to skiing, snowshoeing, jeep tours, rib safaris, kayaking and overmuch more,” Jónsdóttir says. 

Charming fishing villages hidden successful fjords, specified arsenic Seyðisfjörður, known for its colourful woody houses, creation centre and aggregate hiking trails, pull visitors to nan Eastfjords. 

Seyðisfjörður has imposed restrictions against food farming successful an effort to protect these breathtaking environments. Locals person besides worked to renovate and sphere historical buildings, alternatively of replacing them, which helps support nan town’s unsocial practice character. 

“The colony is lovely, pinch nan colourful rainbow thoroughfare starring to nan Blue Church. Sure, a fewer world workers assistance nan mini organization (around 600 group unrecorded location passim nan year) successful nan highest summertime season, but tours and attractions stay a section prerogative,” Claudia Tavani, nan laminitis of nan My Adventures Across The World recreation blog, said successful an question and reply pinch Euronews Travel. 

“You tin locomotion to Tvísöngur, an acoustic creation installationSeyðisfjörður besides has beautiful craft shops wherever you tin bargain handknit accepted Icelandic sweaters, and there's moreover a pub (Kaffi Lara) wherever you tin sensation El Grillo, a locally brewed beer.”

Another beautiful sportfishing village, which offers heavy penetration into nan accepted measurement of life successful nan Eastfjords and uncommon Viking history, is Stöðvarfjörður. 

 “For travellers craving moreover deeper solitude, nan distant and now-deserted fjords for illustration Loðmundafjörður, Vöðlavík, Húsavík, and Brúnavík connection wild, untouched nature. These areas are dotted pinch rustic hiking cabins maintained by section Touring Associations, perfect for those who want to disconnect and acquisition Iceland astatine its purest,” Jónsdóttir says. 

“The Eastfjords vividly show that tourism doesn’t person to beryllium large aliases successful immense numbers. By focusing connected value complete quantity, prioritising section businesses, and protecting section communities and nature, locals are building a exemplary that’s amended for everyone - some travellers and locals,” says Jane Iskra, an Iceland elopement and recreation photographer. 

Family-owned stays, practice hotels and Icelandic lamb

The Eastfjords boasts respective sustainable family-owned guesthouses, farms and stays, on pinch immoderate iconic practice hotels. 

The Vallanes Organic Farm, a family-run workplace conscionable extracurricular Egilsstaðir, is 1 specified illustration of sustainable hospitality, which has go a pioneer for biodiversity and regenerative agriculture. 

“Guests tin enactment successful beautifully designed eco-apartments and mini houses, built from section wood and earthy materials, and powered by renewable energy. Breakfasts characteristic integrated nutrient from nan farm, and visitors are invited to research nan rootlike gardens and study astir Vallanes’ attack to seed saving, harvest rotation and ungraded health. It’s a genuinely unsocial spot successful each of Iceland,” according to Jónsdóttir. 

Other family-owned stays see Skorrahestar, a workplace enactment successful Nordfjörður, wherever guests tin hike, thrust horses and participate successful farm-life activities. Mjóeyri successful Reyðarfjörður is different bully choice, pinch various tours, cottages and a edifice featuring section cuisine. 

Similarly, Hotel Breiddalsvik offers a cosy, laid-back vibe, pinch a fireplace, Finnish-style sauna, section cuisine, Northern Lights wake-up calls, guided hikes and easy entree to waterfalls for illustration Beljandi and Flogufoss. 

For a different practice experience, take Fosshotel Eastfjords successful Fáskrúðsfjörður. Housed successful historical French sportfishing buildings and a restored French hospital, this edifice has beautifully restored rooms pinch vintage interiors. It besides has a depository astir nan area’s French sportfishing history. 

Throughout nan Eastfjords, you tin tuck into delicious section cuisine specified arsenic Icelandic lamb, unsocial for its unique flavour acquired from grazing connected herb-dotted upland slopes, arsenic good arsenic reindeer meat. Fresh cod is besides peculiarly renowned successful nan Eastfjords.