Egilsstadir

Fljotsdalsherad - a prime choice!

The municipality of Fljotsdalsherad was created on 1 November 2004, with about 4600 residents, most of them living in the towns of Egilsstadir and Fellabaer. This town area supports a strong rural community, including prosperous agricultural expanses and smaller service centres at Hallormsstadur, Eidar and Bruaras.

The massive land area of Fljotsdalsherad stretches from Biskupshals in the west and Heradsfloi bay in the north to the mountain ranges surrounding the central eastern fjords in the east and to Vatnajokull and Oxi in the south. Throughout the year, numerous travellers are drawn to Fljotsdalsherad and its excellent amenities for the tourists.

Hallormsstadur

Hallormsstadur is located at the east of the Lake called, Logurinn.

The government decided to set up an experimental forestry centre earlier this century. The cradle of such experiments is the sheltered area of Hallormsstadur, including one of the most fascinating tree exhibits in Nordic lands. Scientists are trying to see what type of trees can cope best with the Icelandic climate and more than forty varieties from many countries have been planted.

Today, the country’s largest forestry project is gradually showing that Iceland can produce commercial timber and once more grow tall trees like those who were wiped out by the isle-wide glaciers of the Ice Age.

In the area of Hallormsstadur there is a creek called Atlavik, which is a very popular camping place. From Atlavik sails a ferry called Lagarfljotsormurinn every night during summer season, where one can enjoy the view and have some refreshment on board.

Lagarfljot

The river Lagarfljot begins in the Vatnajokull icecap and flows north to the Arctic Ocean. For much of its length, it isn't a river at all but more like a long; narrow lake, "Logurinn". The lake, is Iceland's third largest, 35 kilometers long and 2.5 kilometers wide. It's greatest depth is 112 m, leaving it's bottom almost 90 meters below sea level.

It is believed that the lake is inhabited by the famous serpent monster called Lagarfljotsormurinn, whose back is sometimes sighted rising over the waves. It was a small worm from the bushes originally, but he grew to gigantic proportions by gloating over a ring that a young girl decided to keep with him. To this day the monster can be seen struggling in its shackles and no locals doubt its existence. The monster has over the years become the emblem of the area.

Hengifoss

Hengifoss is a spectacular waterfall which falls down 120 meters in a magnificent gorge. It is located in Fljotsdalur and faces Hallormsstadur across Lagarfljot river. It is fairly easy to walk up to the waterfall from the main road which takes about 1:30 hours.

At the top of Hengifoss there are basalt strata and sandstone beneath them containing fossilized tree trunks, which proves that the climate in Iceland was warmer during the Tertiary period. A little beneath Hengifoss is another waterfall, called Litlanesfoss. It is smaller but quite beautiful and lies in a columnar basalt setting.