The east coast also has many fjords which cut into the island. From our camping (Stokksnes) near Hofn towards the ferry at Seydisfjordur we followed the coast line and as such followed the fjords inland. Fortunately there are not as many deep inland cuts as in the west fjord land. The days were sunny but there was still a heavy fog drifting in from the coast. At one point it was clear and we stopped to see the large flocks of swans which had settled on the lagoon. This lagoon is created by a ridge of stones dumped in front of the coast by the nearby glacier. It is filled up with glacier water on one side and most likely seawater on the ocean side. An ideal place for migrating birds. You had a beautiful view when the drifting fog stayed out on the ocean. We wanted to set up camp at the last fjord before the ferry point. Unfortunately when we made it into the town, the fog had caught up with us. The town before (Eskifjordur) was however still sunny so we turned back and camped there instead. It is the only campsite on our trip that had several large trees and as such was a welcome reminder of continental Europe. Moreover there is a waterfall nearby. A farewell gift from Iceland and as bonus, the campsite was almost empty. Only 2 trekkers with a tent and us.

  • View when the fog lifts
  • Resting Swans
  • The fog floats in
  • Vatnajokull

The next day we drove over the mountains (600+m) to Seydisfjordur to catch the ferry following day. The fog had not lifted so the mountain pass was very misty and you could not see very far. No reason to stop and enjoy the view. We arrived therefore early at the campsite. This was deliberate because the campsite fills up quickly with all the campers and cars that want to board the ferry the next day. We unfortunately missed out on the weekly music concert in the local church. It had stopped a week earlier. Instead we wandered around in town and visited the sight of the 2020 landslide nearby. Fortunately nobody was killed but several houses had disappeared under the rubble. As expected the campsite filled up fast and we were concerned that our exit route would be blocked. There were 2 different Dutch 4×4 clubs as well as Germany and French 4x4s which had toured the island as well as many other camperers. You had a nice overview of all the available types of campers. One couple came over to chat and we were delighted to hear that they had followed our adventures in South America and recognised Passepartout. They are planning a similar trip.

  • Local church
  • no music concert
  • expensive trinket shops
  • Crushed in the landslide
  • They love fish heads

The next morning we queued up at the ferry at 08:00 hrs and waited patiently to board. While steaming out of the long fjord, we had our last views of this treeless, windy and cold volcanic island in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. It has a lot to offer the entrepreneurial traveller. Not only incredible drives through the volcanic highlands, or walks in fjord lands near glaciers, but also warm hot springs along the way, views of an active volcano and, besides many seabirds and puffins on the cliffs, also jumping humpback whales.