Accommodation
Behind the main building are 10 bright and spacious rooms with private bathroom (extra bed available in 2 rooms). In the main building, in earlier times a boarding school are 12 rooms sharing bathrooms (2 sgl, 9 dbl/twin and 1 quatro). Cot available upon request. Campsite.
Board
Breakfast is included. Possible to pre-order other meals. A small diner is on-site that serves refreshments, meals and drinks. The menu includes dishes prepared from local ingredients, such as trout, lamb and reindeer. Guests also have access to a kitchen.
Service and recreation
There is a small pool with showering facilities and a hot tub by the guesthouse which guests can use free of charge. There is furthermore a sitting room and a small children’s play area where there is a TV set, a DVD player, toys, mattresses and pillows. It is possible to purchase local souvenirs on site. There is a small petting zoo in Klaustursel (17 km / 10.5 mi) in Efridalur valley, where children can meet reindeer, foxes, rabbits, dogs, chickens, pigeons, ducks, geese and other furry friends. It is possible to buy local handicraft at the guesthouse gallery, such as artifacts fashioned from reindeer hide and made by locals. The nearest supermarket is in town Egilsstaðir (50 km / 31 mi).
The moor lakes and valley houses
Jökuldalur valley is 80 km long (50 mi) and rather narrow. The glacial river Jökulsá á Brú (also known as Jökulsá á Dal) used to tumble down this canyon, rust brown in colour and powerful to look at. It was the most voluminous river in the east of Iceland before the dam at Kárahnjúkar was built. There are low-rising moors on both sides of the valley and many interesting hikes to explore, such as along the Jökuldalsheiði moor, where hikers can enjoy the vistas of the moor lakes and feel the draw of the old settlements there. It is the ideal place to experience rural Iceland, away from modern hustle and bustle, and a hike along the valley towards Brú and Hrafnkelsdalur valley is well worth it.
Tourist attractions in the Fljótsdalshérað region
Jökuldalur valley is the northern-most valley in the Fljótsdalshérað region in the east of Iceland. The region is regarded as one of the most beautiful areas in Iceland – the landscapes are varied and culture is thriving. Interesting attractions include the Hallormsstaðaskógur forest, Hengifoss waterfall, and the cultural and historical centre at the old convent Skriðuklaustur in Fljótsdalur valley. It is possible to get to the dam Kárahnjúkar by road directly from Fljótsdalur. Borgarfjörður eystri (the eastern Borgarfjörður fjord), renowned for beauty and elegant mountain panoramas, is about 120 km (74.5 mi) from Skjöldólfsstaðir.
The past meets the present at Vopnafjörður town
The Ring Road passes quite close by Skjöldólfsstaðir and leads to the moorlands north of Jökuldalur valley. After driving about 30 km (18.5 mi), travellers encounter a crossroads where the Ring Road goes on to Vopnafjörður fjord, where one of Iceland’s better-known salmon rivers can be found. The eponymous town Vopnafjörður is 82 km (51 mi) away. There is a curious museum at Burstafell in the fjord (62 km / 38.5 mi): set in an old turf house, the museum has curated furniture and household equipment used by Icelanders in the past, dating back to about 1800. The turf house was inhabited until the year 1966.
Hosts: Aðalsteinn