Region
Eastfjords
700 km from Reykjavik
Borgarfjordur Eystri, East Iceland
A remote East Iceland village with one of the country's most accessible puffin colonies, strong elf folklore, and the Víknaslóðir hiking trails.
Population
~100
Eastfjords • Puffin colony
Quick Answer
Borgarfjordur Eystri in East Iceland has the Hafnarholmi puffin platform, visited during the puffin breeding season, plus the Alfaborg elf rock and the Viknaslodir hiking trails.
Borgarfjordur Eystri (also known as Bakkagerði) sits in a remote corner of East Iceland. The puffin colony at Hafnarhólmi can be watched at close range from a platform, Álfaborg rock is said to house the elf queen, and the Víknaslóðir trails cross colorful rhyolite mountains.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Check current mountain-road conditions and local puffin sightings; older gravel-road descriptions are outdated.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~100
Remote village at the end of Route 94
Known for
Puffins & elves
Hafnarhólmi puffin colony
Top Attractions in Borgarfjordur Eystri
Hafnarhólmi Puffin Colony
Thousands of puffins, viewing platform
Álfaborg (Elf Rock)
Home of the elf queen in folklore
Víknaslóðir Trails
Multi-day hikes through colorful mountains
Lindarbakki Turf House
Historic red-roofed turf house
Bakkagerði Church
Village church with a well-known altarpiece
Stórurd Boulders
Boulder field hiking destination
How to Get to Borgarfjordur Eystri
From Egilsstadir: Follow Route 94, checking current conditions for the mountain crossing. The road authority records completion of the paved connection in 2022.
By air: Fly to Egilsstadir, then rent a suitable vehicle for the mountain road.
Important: Check services for your travel date and plan fuel stops before departing.
Best Time to Visit Borgarfjordur Eystri
Summer (May-August): Plan puffin viewing during the breeding season. Storurd is a separate mountain outing, generally best from mid-July until autumn snow according to the local hiking guide.
Winter: Check the mountain-road forecast and arrange accommodation and meals directly. Puffins spend winter at sea.
Puffins and Storurd need different plans
Hafnarholmi has boardwalks, a birdwatching shelter and visitor facilities. The municipality describes puffins leaving around early August, while the local visitor site gives a broader mid-April to mid-August season. Treat those as seasonal guides, not guaranteed arrival and departure dates. Check the linked live camera or current local observations before making a late-season detour specifically for puffins.
Storurd’s local trail guide describes five marked approaches and snow that can remain well into summer above 400 meters. Its usual recommended season begins around mid-July and ends with substantial autumn snow. Choose a particular approach and return route before leaving; the marked circuit avoids some of the concealed gaps between boulders, and phone coverage is patchy. A good puffin-viewing day in May does not establish that the mountain walk is ready.
The road authority’s completed Eidar–Laufas project confirms a surfaced connection from Egilsstadir to Borgarfjordur Eystri following the 2022 works. Check live conditions before crossing the pass, but do not choose a vehicle based on old claims that the whole approach is a difficult gravel road.
Without a car, ask the contact on the local transport page to confirm service for your dates. The undated listing has weekday departures from Borgarfjordur at 08:00 and Egilsstadir at noon. That pattern does not provide a same-day return from Egilsstadir after sightseeing; arrange an overnight stay or a separate return transfer.
Planning help
Borgarfjordur Eystri FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Borgarfjordur Eystri?
Borgarfjordur Eystri has approximately 100 permanent residents, though the population swells in summer with tourists and workers.
Where can I see puffins in Borgarfjordur Eystri?
Hafnarholmi has boardwalks and a birdwatching shelter. Plan a breeding-season visit and check local sightings near the start or end of summer; puffin departure dates vary.
How far is Borgarfjordur Eystri from Reykjavik?
Borgarfjordur Eystri is about 700 km from Reykjavik (8-9 hours driving) via Route 1 and Route 94.
What is the elf church in Borgarfjordur Eystri?
Álfaborg (Elf Rock) is a large rock formation believed to be the home of the elf queen. The local information center covers the area's elf traditions.
What hiking is available?
The Víknaslóðir trails are the main network, with multi-day routes through rhyolite mountains and past abandoned villages.
Why is it called Borgarfjordur Eystri?
The name means 'East Borgarfjordur' to distinguish it from Borgarfjordur in West Iceland. It's sometimes called Bakkagerði after the main village.
How is the road to Borgarfjordur Eystri?
The road authority says the route between Egilsstadir and Borgarfjordur Eystri was fully surfaced after work completed in 2022. It still crosses mountain terrain: check current weather and road conditions.
What services are in Borgarfjordur Eystri?
There are accommodation and food options, a campsite, and the locally run Budin village store. Check opening hours and arrange meals and accommodation for your dates.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.