6 Best Sights in Borgarfjörður Eystri, East Iceland and the Eastfjords

A superb spot for bird-watching, at Hafnarhólmi, you can climb a the staircase leading up to a viewing platform to see puffins up close without risking life and limb on the cliffs. You'll also see other seabirds such as kittiwakes and fulmars. About 10,000 pairs of puffins nest here from mid-April through mid-August, then spend the winter at sea.

Set aside five to seven hours for the round-trip hike to Stórurð, where giant moss-topped boulders form islands within pools of vibrant green water. To reach Stórurð, which translates to “giant boulders,” take the trail from the Vatnsskarð pass: it takes around 2½ hours. A round-trip is approximately 9 miles with an elevation of between 1,640 to 1,968 feet. For guided tours with transport from Egilsstaðir, contact the tour company Wildboys.

While en route to Borgarfjörður Eystri look out for the magnificent mountain range Dyrfjöll, featuring a remarkable gap in the middle; the name translates to "Door Mountain," with the gap being viewed as a door. Reaching heights of up to 3,727 feet, it’s an ambitious setting even for experienced hikers, but the views from the top are extraordinary.

Not to be confused with the sea stack of the same name on the Vatnsnes Peninsula in northwest Iceland, the Hvítserkur of the east is a distinctive mountain. Dark streaks (basaltic dykes) run across its bright surface, making it look like a work of art.