Discover Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Kirkjubæjarklaustur combines a striking volcanic landscape with hiking trails and a history that dates back to a medieval nunnery. If you are considering the town as a destination for your hotel trip, its different highlights can help you decide: a waterfall and lake shape the trails above the town, while monastery history, local traditions and exhibitions offer other themes to explore.

Waterfall, Lake and Hiking Trails

At Systrafoss, the Fossá River cascades down from Lake Systravatn. The lake lies above Kirkjubæjarklaustur, at the edge of the belt of cliffs. Hiking trails run near the waterfall, including an easy trail up to Systravatn.

The route descriptions highlight different features: the approximately five-kilometre Ástarbrautin is a circular trail above the town; the trail up to Systravatn is described as easy. Ástarbrautin starts at Skaftárstofa and leads to Systrafoss. Most of the trail runs over grass and begins with a steep 80-metre climb. Conditions on Ástarbrautin depend on the weather and how well the trail is maintained; weather also affects whether the trail to Systravatn can be walked.

From Ástarbrautin, you can look out over the town and the rootless scoria cones of Landbrotshólar. Visibility of these sights depends on the weather. The trail therefore offers both a specific hiking experience and views of the landscape around the town.

Basalt, Lava and Systrastapi

Nearby, Kirkjugólf lies east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur on Road 203. This protected natural monument consists of columnar basalt. Eldmessutangi marks the place west of Systrastapi where the lava came to a halt; the lava’s endpoint is still visible today. Fossasteinn, a large boulder that fell from the mountain during a severe thunderstorm in 1830, also lies in the Systrafoss valley.

The steep rocky hill Systrastapi lies west of the town and can be climbed. A chain on its southern side can be used to climb up. From the summit, the view stretches across glaciers, the lava from the Laki eruption and the surroundings of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. According to local tradition, two nuns from the monastery are buried there.

Monastery History and Local Traditions

The nunnery in Kirkjubær was founded in 1186; Kirkjubæjarklaustur was later named after the monastery. The name Systrafoss is also connected with the monastery. Minningarkapella Sr. Jóns Steingrímssonar was consecrated in 1974 as a memorial chapel to the clergyman Jón Steingrímsson (1728–1791). It stands a little east of the site of the old church. Among the gravestones in the old cemetery are those of Jón Steingrímsson and his wife, Þórunn.

Other traditions are associated with places in the landscape. One legend tells that two nuns were pulled into the depths of Systravatn after reaching for a hand wearing a gold ring. Sönghellir Cave lies between Systrastapi and Systravatn. It is associated with the tradition that nuns from the monastery in Kirkjubær and monks from Þykkvabæjarklaustur communicated with one another by singing.

Exhibitions and Getting Your Bearings in Town

Skaftárstofa is the tourist information centre in the Kirkjuhvoll community centre. It has a large exhibition and event hall. Exhibition topics include Vatnajökull National Park and Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, the Skaftá River, the 2011 Grímsvötn eruption and the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. A multimedia exhibition explores the monastery in Kirkjubær. As exhibitions may change, check the latest information before your visit.

The swimming pool at the sports centre has a heated pool for adults and a children's paddling pool. Road 1 runs along the edge of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Discover more destinations: Búðarhólshverfi, Hvolsvöllur, Stóri Núpur, Keldur, Sólheimar, Villingaholt, Skálholt, Blaskogabyggd.

For the main travel overview: Sudurland.