Fjord to Fjord: Spring

Winters can be long in Iceland, so when spring rolls in, it breathes new life into the nature. It’s a lovely time to tour Austurland, to enjoy the slow transformation from winter wonderland to green summertime landscapes. You’ll no doubt experience weather conditions from all seasons, so it’s best to be prepared and to pay close attention to weather and road conditions.

This classic Austurland travel route takes you through mountain passes, scenic valleys and along fjord shores, and you can see the trees begin to bud and the wildflowers bloom as the weather warms up and the days lengthen. Widespread lupines begin to flower, giving a purple hue to many scenes. The lambing season begins in May, and the birdlife gets active!

After a winter hiatus, many of the route’s tourist attractions reopen for the season, together with seasonal restaurants.

You’ll no doubt want to explore the nature – but be aware that walking and hiking paths can be muddy thanks to snow melting, so be prepared. Watch the nature reserves at Hólmanes and Neskaupstaður throw off their winter coats and welcome migrating birds, or if you love the snow, hit the slopes! The ski areas at Stafsdalur near Seyðisfjörður and Oddsskarð near Eskifjörður are in operation until April or early May, depending on the snowfall.

As the weather warms, conditions improve for access to remote Mjóifjörður, so add it to your itinerary if you’re traveling in late spring. From the route’s end at Neskaupstaður, you might want to rejoin the Ring Road and retrace your steps to Egilsstaðir, or head south, winding through more Austurland fjord highlights. Check out The Coastal Experience travel route to create a fantastic circuit.

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 covered, check out the Visit Fjarðabyggð website (Fjarðabyggð is the name of the municipality covering many of the fjords) and Visit Seyðisfjörður.