The municipality of Árneshreppur, which includes Árnes, combines natural attractions with the history of the herring industry. For planning your trip, options range from a bathing facility heated by hot springs to hiking trails with different stated durations. The places of Trékyllisvík, Djúpavík, Gjögur, and Norðurfjörður also each offer their own points of interest for culture, landscapes, and practical orientation.
Nature and Hiking
Drangaskörð consists of seven rocky peaks that rise dramatically out of the sea. Another distinctive landform is Kistuvogur, also called Kista: a rock fissure several metres deep that extends inland from sea level. These two features show different forms of the municipality’s coastal landscape.
Krossneslaug is heated by natural hot springs. Whales are occasionally seen surfacing in the area around the pool, most often humpback whales. Many seabirds and seals live there; with a little luck, you may also spot dolphins. Sightings are not guaranteed.
For hike planning, two routes of the same length can be compared using their stated durations: the 5 km Djúpavíkurhringur loop is listed as taking 1½ hours. The Gjögur–Reykjarneshyrna hiking trail, also 5 km long, is listed as taking 3 hours and having up to 316 m of elevation gain. So the stated durations differ despite the routes being the same length. There is also a good hiking trail at the waterfall near Djúpavík. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Longer hikes in Árneshreppur include routes to Ingólfsfjörður and around Strút. In the area around Norðurfjörður, Tafla, Kálfatindar, Munaðarnesfjall, and Krossnesfjall are listed as hiking destinations. Visitors wishing to explore the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve can take a ferry from Norðurfjörður. Ferry services depend on the operator and season; check in advance whether a service is available during your travel dates.
Culture and Industrial History
The Kört Memorial Museum in Trékyllisvík displays old items from the region and sells local handicrafts. The museum offers guided tours in and around Trékyllisvík; availability may vary by season. If you are planning a guided tour, enquire in advance about suitable dates.
The building now used as Hótel Djúpavík was built in the 1930s for the women who worked at the herring factory. The factory in Djúpavík operated until 1954 and now serves as an exhibition building. The abandoned herring factory in Ingólfsfjörður has a different history: the company Ingólfur hf. built it between 1942 and 1944. It closed in 1952 after fishing came to a standstill a few years after construction.
Getting There and Accommodation
Route 643 runs through the municipality of Árneshreppur. Road conditions vary by season; check them before driving. There is no public transport in the area apart from one or two weekly flights from Reykjavík to Gjögur. Gjögur is a small settlement that is inhabited only in summer. Flight availability and frequency may change, so it is worth checking the current timetable.
There are guesthouses and a campsite in Norðurfjörður. These include Urðartindur, a family-run guesthouse with a campsite. There is also a small grocery store and a café there. Opening hours and services may vary seasonally; also check whether your preferred accommodation is available for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Flateyri, Staður, Hnífsdalur, Haukadalur, Thingeyri, Tálknafjörður, Drangsnes, Keflavik.
Back to the main travel overview: Westfjords.
