Kópasker – Fishing Village, Birdlife and Lighthouse Trails

Kópasker is a fishing village on the eastern shore of Öxarfjörður. The trails around the village focus on different things: one winds through geologically shaped landscapes and wetlands, while another follows the seashore to the lighthouse. There are also opportunities to learn about the history of the great Kópasker earthquake and the region’s cultural history. When choosing a vacation rental for a stay here, you can consider these interests and think about which discoveries you’d like to shape your holiday.

Hiking among Birdlife and Lighthouse

The “A walk through geology and birdlife” trail starts at the campsite in Kópasker and is approximately 5 km long. As its name suggests, it brings together the themes of geology and birdlife. Ponds and wetlands along the route provide a habitat for numerous breeding bird species. The trail also leads to Kópaskersmisgengi: these geological formations were created along the boundaries of tectonic plates. The trail thus brings together two aspects of nature that cannot be reduced to a single type of landscape on a map.

The “Kópasker - Lighthouse Hiking trail” takes a different approach. It is described as a scenic, easy trail to the Kópasker Lighthouse on the headland of Grímshöfn. It starts at a birdwatching hut on the seashore, leads to a sandy beach and then continues to the lighthouse. The sandy bay is rich in birdlife; seals can occasionally be spotted on an easy walk to the lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1945 and first came into operation in 1951.

This offers a clear guide when choosing a hike: the approximately 5 km trail focuses on geology and breeding birds, while the other leads from the birdwatching hut, across the beach and on to the lighthouse. The routes differ in their stated themes and stops, so you can choose the one that better suits your interests.

Earthquake History and Culture

Skjálftasetið is located in Kópasker’s primary school building. It provides information about the powerful earthquakes of 1975 and 1976, which culminated in the great Kópasker earthquake on January 13, 1976. Texts and images explain the 1976 earthquake, its causes and its effects on buildings, the landscape and community life. Skjálftasetið therefore explores not only a natural event, but also the changes it brought to the village and its residents.

Just outside Kópasker, in Snartarstaðir, there is a folk museum with a diverse collection of cultural and historical objects. Its focus is on craftsmanship and the beauty of everyday things. This look at objects from daily life complements the exploration of earthquake history with a different perspective on cultural history.

Natural Attraction and Getting Around the Village

Hestfall lies north of Kópasker and is considered a scenic natural attraction. The Sólstöðuhátíð summer solstice festival is also part of the village’s annual calendar: it takes place every year in June. When planning your travel dates, you can keep this recurring event in mind, along with the trails and cultural attractions that help define your stay.

Kópasker has a campsite and guesthouses. The village also has a shop, an auto repair shop, a health center and a bank. This brief overview helps you get your bearings without combining the different destinations into a single route.

Discover More Places

More place pages: Grenjaðarstaður, Laugar, Laxamýri, Lundarbrekka, Dalvík, Laufás, Hallbjarnarstaðir, Miðgarðar.

For the wider travel overview: Northeastern Region.