Seydisfjördur, Iceland: Hiking and Puffins (with AIDAaura to Greenland and Iceland 4)

പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചു: 30.07.2022

The first city we visited in Iceland was Seydisfjördur, located on the eastern side of the island (German: Fjord of the Fireplace). The ferry from Hirtshals also arrives here.


Seydisfjördur
Seydisfjördur


Seydisfjördur is a small town with about 700 inhabitants, located at the end of a 17 km long fjord.


Seydisfjördur
Seydisfjördur


In the morning, we started our exploration of the town with a little hike.


Umgebung von Seydisfjördur
Surroundings of Seydisfjördur


This hike also took us along the mountains surrounding the town.


Umgebung von Seydisfjördur
Surroundings of Seydisfjördur


The landscape shimmered in various shades of green, especially when the sun was shining.


Umgebung von Seydisfjördur
Surroundings of Seydisfjördur


We were really lucky with the weather that day: It was a bit chilly with a maximum of 15°C, but besides some clouds, we saw a lot of blue sky and it stayed dry.


Seydisfjördur
Seydisfjördur


The hiking trail was well marked and partly newly constructed.


Umgebung von Seydisfjördur
Surroundings of Seydisfjördur


We passed several waterfalls flowing through the stony and green landscape.


Umgebung von Seydisfjördur
Surroundings of Seydisfjördur


At the same time, we enjoyed a beautiful view towards the fjord.


Umgebung von Seydisfjördur
Surroundings of Seydisfjördur


On the way back, we also walked through the town itself.


Seydisfjördur
Seydisfjördur


Especially worth seeing is the 'blue church', which was built in 1922 after a previous building burned down.


Blaue Kirche in Seydisfjördur
Blue church in Seydisfjördur


The path to the church, Nordurgata, is known for its colorful houses, making it the rainbow road.


Umgebung von Seydisfjördur
Surroundings of Seydisfjördur


In the afternoon, we had booked a trip to the Skalanes Nature Reserve.


Ausblick bei Thorarinsstadhir
View at Thorarinsstadhir


For the journey, we boarded a four-wheel-drive bus, which took us safely over the gravel roads and through three rivers we had to cross.


Ausblick bei Thorarinsstadhir
View at Thorarinsstadhir


First, we stopped at the old farm Thorarinsstadhir, which is now abandoned.


Ausblick bei Thorarinsstadhir
View at Thorarinsstadhir


Here, you can still see the foundations of an old church that the inhabitants had built out of the rare material of wood on Iceland.


Naturreservat Skalanes
Skalanes Nature Reserve


When the people settled in another location, they simply took their church with them and transported it over the water to present-day Seydisfjördur. However, the building burned down, and later the blue church was constructed there.


Naturreservat Skalanes
Skalanes Nature Reserve


In the Skalanes Nature Reserve, there is a house where research is conducted and students from all over the world come for their studies.


Naturreservat Skalanes
Skalanes Nature Reserve


There is also an eider duck colony, from whose nests the very valuable down feathers of this species are harvested according to ancient tradition.


Naturreservat Skalanes
Skalanes Nature Reserve


We were also greeted by numerous Arctic terns, which can be quite aggressive.


Seeschwalbe im Naturreservat Skalanes
Arctic tern in Skalanes Nature Reserve


They always attack the highest point of a person, which is why we saw some visitors holding lupines over their heads to protect themselves.


Naturreservat Skalanes
Skalanes Nature Reserve


Alternatively, you can also make sure to walk next to someone who is taller than you.


Naturreservat Skalanes
Skalanes Nature Reserve


Our path led through a picturesque landscape with the fjord on one side and mountains on the other.


Naturreservat Skalanes
Skalanes Nature Reserve


The lupines were especially beautiful to look at, as they grow everywhere here. They were introduced to Iceland in the 1970s to prevent erosion, which causes a loss of landmass every year.


Naturreservat Skalanes
Skalanes Nature Reserve


The lupines originate from Alaska and also grow on very nutrient-poor soil.


Naturreservat Skalanes
Skalanes Nature Reserve


They feel very comfortable in Iceland, maybe even a bit too much: They have spread everywhere and are displacing native species.


Naturreservat Skalanes
Skalanes Nature Reserve


At the end of the trail, we reached a cliff that many birds use as a breeding ground.


Papageientaucher im Naturreservat Skalanes
Puffin in Skalanes Nature Reserve


We were particularly thrilled by the puffins sitting right next to the viewing platform at the edge of the cliff.


Papageientaucher im Naturreservat Skalanes
Puffin in Skalanes Nature Reserve


After we returned to the ship, we soon set sail again.


Abfahrt von Seydisfjördur
Departure from Seydisfjördur


On deck, we enjoyed the sun and the beautiful view in the fjord.


Abfahrt von Seydisfjördur
Departure from Seydisfjördur


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