In Ólafsfjördur, winter activities are centred around the Tindaöxl ski area and Ólafsfjarðarvatn. When planning your trip, you can choose between skiing, cross-country skiing and experiences by the lake, while also taking in the culture and landscape.
Skiing and winter by the lake
The Tindaöxl ski area has a ski lift and slalom runs. Facilities include a 650-metre Doppelmayr platter lift. Cross-country ski trails are laid out across almost the entire town. This offers different forms of winter sport: the ski area focuses on the lift and slalom runs, while the trails extend cross-country skiing throughout the town.
The lake also offers seasonal activities. Ice fishing takes place on Ólafsfjarðarvatn in winter, and when the weather is suitable, people skate there. Windsurfing and boating are also practiced on the water. Important for planning: motorboat traffic is not permitted on the lake. This restriction applies to motorboats; it should not be confused with a general statement about all activities on the water.
Lake, birdlife and coast
Ólafsfjarðarvatn is listed in Iceland’s nature conservation register because of its different layers of water: layers of fresh and salt water meet there, and in some places there are also warm-water layers. A diverse birdlife lives in the area around Ólafsfjördur and the lake. In addition to its seasonal activities, the lake therefore has particular significance for the landscape and natural history.
Ólafsfjörður Beach, a black sand beach, is also nearby. You can reach it from the northern end of town, heading towards Kleifar. The beach and the lake are distinct destinations: at the lake, the focus is on the water activities described and its unusual water composition; at the beach, it is on the black sand and its location outside the town centre.
Pálshús: local history and exhibitions
Pálshús is a living museum house with four permanent exhibitions and an art room. The house is one of the oldest in Ólafsfjördur; its oldest section was built in 1892. It also houses the natural history museum of Ólafsfjörður. Topics include Icelandic birdlife and the exhibition “Flugþrá,” which explores the human desire to fly. Local history, natural history and art come together under one roof.
Accommodation and getting your bearings in town
Ólafsfjörður campsite is next to the sports facility. There is a small pond there with a variety of birds and small fish, which younger children enjoy fishing for. Another sporting destination, Skeggjabrekkuvöllur, is at the entrance to Skeggjabrekkudalur. The golf course is listed as having nine holes and a par of 66; as course details can change, it is worth checking the latest information before your visit.
Two tunnel connections are useful for understanding the area. The 11-kilometre Héðinsfjörður tunnels connect Ólafsfjördur with Siglufjörður and opened in 2010. The 3.5-kilometre, single-lane Múli Tunnel connects the town with Dalvík on Eyjafjörður. The Ólafsfjörður tourist information centre is located in the Fjallabyggð library.
The focus of your trip can help shape your choice of when to visit: in winter, the ski area, cross-country skiing and weather-dependent activities on the lake come together; Pálshús and the landscape add culture and nature to your stay. If you choose accommodation in Ólafsfjördur, you can weigh up these different offerings in town as you plan your trip.
Discover more destinations: Miðgarðar, Raufarhöfn, Kópasker, Lundarbrekka, Dalvík, Laugar, Akureyri, Einarsstaðir.
For the regional travel overview: Northeastern Region.
