Skorradalur is a wooded valley, most of which is occupied by Lake Skorradalsvatn. Forests, protected habitats and trails give nature exploration a clear focus, complemented by local cultural sites and Hreppslaug. For planning, two types of trail should be distinguished: a 1.6-kilometre trail in the Stálpastaða forest area and Síldarmannagötur, which connects Skorradalur with Hvalfjörður Bay.

Forest and protected habitats

The protection of Vatnshornsskógur aims to preserve a natural, relatively undisturbed, tall birch forest with lush undergrowth. The lichen Alectoria sarmentosa ssp. vexillifera is also found there and nowhere else in Iceland. The public may travel through and stay in Vatnshornsskógur for lawful purposes.

At the Fitjaá, a different habitat takes centre stage: the protected area there preserves an extensive, continuous and largely undisturbed wetland. It is an important habitat for plant and bird species. The Icelandic Environment Agency, Umhverfisstofnun, manages and monitors the area, including providing ranger services and preparing information materials. The nature-related features are therefore distinct: at Vatnshornsskógur, the focus is on the birch forest and its lichen population; at the Fitjaá, it is the wetland and its plant and bird species.

Hiking trails and season

The Stálpastaða forest area has numerous tree species and hiking trails throughout the forest. One trail through the forest is 1.6 km long. Road 508, Skorradalsvegur, leads to the trailhead. Visitors looking for a route with a specific stated length can distinguish this trail from the other trails in the forest.

Síldarmannagötur is an old national route in a protected settlement area in the Skorradalur valley. The trail connects Skorradalur with Hvalfjörður Bay. It is closed from November to May because of the weather and trail conditions; check its seasonal status again before your visit. The two routes therefore have different defining features: the stated length of the Stálpastaða trail, and the connection to Hvalfjörður and seasonal closure of Síldarmannagötur.

Church and pool

Fitjakirkja stands at the eastern end of Lake Skorradalsvatn. It was built in 1896–97 as an annex church of Lundur. Its lakeside location and construction history connect a specific place with a historical reference.

Hreppslaug also has a clear connection to its location and history: the historic, naturally fed pool was built in 1928 in Andakíll, in Skorradalur. Facilities include two hot tubs, a sauna, an outdoor shower and a cold plunge pool. Alongside forest trails and cultural sites, the pool offers another distinct focus for trip planning.

Finding your way around the lake

The Selsskógur campsite is next to Lake Skorradalsvatn.

Discover more destinations: Hvammur, Borgarnes, Ólafsvík, Hvanneyri, Grundarfjördur, Budhir, Snóksdalur, Kleppjárnsreykir.

For the broader travel overview: West Iceland.