The Coastal Experience - Fall

Fall in Iceland is relatively short and sweet, and this coastal travel route offers a good chance to observe autumnal colors on the walking trails, at waterfalls, and on mountain peaks. Fall is harvest time, so the fresh flavors of Austurland take center stage at many local restaurants. You might like to go foraging for wild berries or mushrooms while you’re out exploring local landscapes.

Traveling Austurland in fall might mean viewing the first northern lights of the season, and maybe experiencing the first snowfall. On certain days in September you have the opportunity to see the rural Icelandic tradition of the réttir, when local farmers round up their sheep after the summer spent roaming in the hillsides. You might spot reindeer as you travel this trail. Migratory birds usually leave Austurland in the fall for their winter homes.

Each of the route’s towns appeal to locals and tourists with some offbeat attractions and hike-friendly coastal and mountain landscapes. The towns of Reyðarfjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Stöðvarfjörður, Breiðdalsvík and Djúpivogur each have a different character and lovely scenery, together with creative communities and cultural attractions. In fall, the hours of daylight decrease as the coziness factor increases.

To return to your starting point from Breiðdalsvík, you can follow Rte 95 through the scenic valley west of here, called Breiðdalur, and over the mountain pass. A second option is to continue on the Ring Road to reach the Öxi pass (Rte 939), a renowned mountain drive. In early fall, both these mountain routes (Rte 95 and 939) are generally open to regular cars, however the roads close as the weather turns cooler and the snow arrives (check road conditions online). The Ring Road (Hwy 1) is a sure bet: it remains open and serviced all year round, so the fjord communities are easily visited.

Once back in Egilsstaðir you can select another travel route (a lake circuit, maybe more fjords?) for continuing your Austurland exploration.

You may not have time to see everything we include on this travel route. We recommend you plan your trip using the 'Add to favorites' tool on our page. By bookmarking your favorite attractions and experiences in this way, you can tailor a route through Austurland that's perfect for you!

For great information on the areas visited in The Coastal Experience, check out the Visit Fjarðabyggð website (Fjarðabyggð is the name of the municipality covering this area).