Árnes: Nature, Hiking Trails and History in Árneshreppur

When planning a trip to Árnes, you can also include experiences in the municipality of Árneshreppur. There, the options range from striking rock formations and hiking trails to the history of the herring industry. The destinations mentioned are located in different parts of the municipality. When choosing a holiday apartment in Árnes, it is therefore helpful to first consider which themes you want your trip to focus on.

Scenery, Hot Springs and Wildlife Watching

In Árneshreppur, Krossneslaug is heated by natural hot springs. Whales are occasionally seen surfacing in the area around the pool, most often humpback whales. Many seabirds and seals also live in the area; with a little luck, you may also spot dolphins. Possible sightings are not guaranteed and depend on luck.

The rocky landscape also makes a striking impression: Drangaskörð consists of seven peaks that extend prominently into the sea. Kistuvogur, also called Kista, is a rock fissure several metres deep that extends inland from sea level. Other excursion destinations mentioned in the municipality include Þórðarhellir and Kista. A local tradition associated with the gorge at Kista holds that people were burned there for witchcraft.

Hiking Trails with Different Duration Estimates

The Djúpavíkurhringur is listed as 5 kilometres long and taking one and a half hours. The Gjögur–Reykjarneshyrna trail is also 5 kilometres long, but is described as taking three hours and involving up to 316 metres of elevation gain. The figures highlight a practical difference for planning: the same distance does not necessarily mean the same estimated duration. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

There is a hiking trail by the waterfall at Djúpavík. Longer hikes in Árneshreppur include routes to Ingólfsfjörður and around Strút. Tafla, Kálfatindar, Munaðarnesfjall and Krossnesfjall are listed as hiking destinations in the area around Norðurfjörður. If you want to visit Hornstrandir, you can take a ferry from Norðurfjörður; service depends on the season and operator. Checking the current timetable can help with planning.

Herring History and Regional Culture

In Trékyllisvík, the Kört Memorial Museum displays old objects from the region and sells local handicrafts. The museum offers guided tours in and around Trékyllisvík. As tours may only be available seasonally, it is advisable to check dates before your visit.

The herring industry left different traces in several places across the municipality. The building now used as Hótel Djúpavík was built in the 1930s for the women who worked at the herring factory. The factory operated until 1954 and is now used as an exhibition building. The abandoned herring factory in Ingólfsfjörður was built between 1942 and 1944 by the company Ingólfur hf. It closed in 1952, after the fishery had come to a halt a few years after the factory was built.

Getting There and Finding Your Way Around the Municipality

Public transport in Árneshreppur is limited to one or two weekly flights from Reykjavík to Gjögur. Flight frequency and service may change; check the current flight schedule. Gjögur is a small settlement inhabited only in summer. Road 643 runs through the municipality; road conditions vary by season and should be checked before travelling.

Norðurfjörður has guesthouses and a campsite, a small grocery shop and a café. Urðartindur is a family-run guesthouse and campsite there. Seasonal opening hours and local services may change. When choosing accommodation in Árnes, it is therefore worth considering your preferred excursions and your journey there together: hiking destinations, the museum and the ferry suit different travel interests and do not make up a single day’s itinerary.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Drangsnes, Ísafjörður, Hagi, Sæból, Suðureyri, Hnífsdalur, Prestbakki, Súðavík

For the wider travel overview: Westfjords.