Hjalteyri on Eyjafjörður

Hjalteyri lies on the west shore of Eyjafjörður. When planning a trip here, the village is shaped above all by its history of herring fishing, old factory buildings, a short circular trail and activities on the water. You can explore the area on foot along the shore, past the lake and through the forest, include the colorful houses in a walk around the village, or look into kayaking options. These activities offer different focuses: local history, walks and time on the water.

Circular trail between the factory, shore and forest

The short Hjalteyri circular trail starts at the factory, follows the shore and the lake through a forest, and then returns to the factory. The route forms a loop, so you don’t finish somewhere else. Picnic tables and benches are available along the way. The trail is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. If you’d like to plan a break along the way, you’ll find places to sit right beside the trail. The combination of a clear return to the factory and several different landscape features gives the walk a different character from a trail that follows just one stretch of coastline.

Herring history and old houses

Until the early 20th century, Hjalteyri was one of Iceland’s most important centers for herring fishing. The old herring factory remains a distinctive landmark in the village: the circular trail starts there, and its buildings are often used as a venue for art exhibitions during the summer months. The historic connection to fishing and the seasonal use of the factory for art are two different sides of the village. Old, colorful houses add to the local character and can be seen on a walk around the village. A walk can therefore combine views of factory buildings and houses without requiring a separate program.

Beach walks are another option in Hjalteyri. They differ from the circular trail described above, which follows a set loop along the shore and the lake and through a forest; a beach walk offers another way to explore this coastal village on foot. If you’re choosing between these options, you can take either the named loop that returns to the factory or a walk along the beach.

Kayaking and seasonal whale watching

Traveling Viking rents sit-on-top kayaks by the hour in Hjalteyri for guided and unguided tours. From Hjalteyri, you can kayak on a lake, in a small harbor or on the fjord, depending on the weather and your personal abilities. The choice of where to kayak is therefore subject to these conditions. Kayak fishing and whale watching are also possible while kayaking. After a kayak tour, you can relax in a hot tub on the beach while looking out over the fjord and mountains. When planning, it helps to distinguish between the different aspects: rental duration, guided or unguided tours, and possible bodies of water each describe a different part of the kayaking offer.

Whale watching is also offered from Hjalteyri in summer. This is a seasonal option that can be distinguished from the whale watching also mentioned as an activity while kayaking. Hydrothermal vents are also located off the coast of Hjalteyri.

Discover more destinations: Hallbjarnarstaðir, Lundarbrekka, Laugar, Draflastadhir, Reykjahlíð, Einarsstaðir, Siglufjörður, Grenjaðarstaður.

For the broader travel overview: Northeastern Region.