Tálknafjörður: Bifröst Trails and Pollurinn

Tálknafjörður combines fjord views with hiking trails through a wide variety of landscapes. Above the town is the Bifröst hiking system; nearby, Pollurinn and its natural hot pools await. There is also a swimming pool in town and a distinctive sculpture with a story dating back to 1955.

When choosing your holiday apartment, your preferred pace for the day can be a useful guide: would you like to plan shorter walks and time to explore the town, or are you drawn to a longer route through ravines and over slopes? The routes described can be compared by duration, distance and elevation gain, without assuming any particular pace.

Six hiking trails with different profiles

Bifröst has six trails above Tálknafjörður. They pass through forest and wetlands, over scree slopes and heathland, and along rivers and through ravines. The shorter options are not all alike: Söðullinn is an easy 4.5-kilometre circular hike, taking 1 hour 30 minutes and gaining 80 metres. Vetrarbrautin is shorter, at 2 kilometres, 45 minutes and 70 metres of elevation gain. This easy trail runs along the wooded slope of Bæjarfjall and offers views over the town and fjord.

The longer routes also differ, despite having similar figures. Bæjarfjall is rated challenging and follows the cliff edge to Rjúpnadalur over 8.5 kilometres, taking 3 hours 30 minutes and gaining 430 metres; the return route goes through Hrafnadalur. Þvergil is moderately difficult, also 8.5 kilometres long, and listed as taking 3 hours with 420 metres of elevation gain. A rope assists with the ascent at the end of the ravine. These differences are particularly useful when planning your day together: distance alone does not show which route best fits your preferred time frame or elevation profile.

Other options round out the selection. The easy 4-kilometre Tungufell trail takes 1 hour, gains 140 metres and leads to a cairn marker above the town; the return route passes small waterfalls. Geitárhorn is a moderately difficult route of 7.5 kilometres, taking 3 hours and gaining 350 metres. It follows an old route between Tálknafjörður and Bíldudalur.

The trails are marked and have been prepared for easier access in many places. The system is still being developed and requires caution, so check local conditions before setting out.

Pollurinn, the swimming pool and local discoveries

Pollurinn refers to natural hot pools near Tálknafjörður. Local people use them year-round to enjoy the view across the fjord. The site is a few minutes’ drive from Tálknafjörður, above Road 617; road conditions can vary in winter. A small hut is available for changing and storing clothes. Admission is free, and a donation box is provided. There are no toilets, and camping at the site is prohibited. Check the local facilities before bathing.

If you would rather visit a pool in town, the swimming pool has a 25-metre outdoor pool, two hot tubs, a sauna, a cold-water pool, a baby pool and a water slide. Check which facilities are currently available before your trip. The sculpture Jón Júlí BA 157 adds a cultural touch to Tálknafjörður. The boat was built in Fáskrúðsfjörður in 1955.

Local cuisine and practical information

Nearby Café Dunhagi serves regional cuisine featuring fresh local fish, Icelandic lamb and vegetarian specialities. Homemade bread and desserts are also on the menu. The café is open seasonally; check whether it is open before your visit.

The Tálknafjörður campsite offers toilets and showers, hot and cold water, laundry and cooking facilities, barbecue facilities, electricity, a waste disposal station for wastewater tanks and Wi-Fi. It operates seasonally; check the availability of individual facilities before your trip as well. This information concerns the campsite and does not describe the amenities of holiday apartments.

Discover more destinations: Ísafjörður, Holt, Keflavik, Drangsnes, Látur, Hólmavík, Garpsdalur, Árnes.

For the broader travel overview: Westfjords.