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Description
The island of Hrísey is about 7.5 kilometers long and 2.5 kilometers wide, making it the second-largest island off the coast of Iceland. Despite its modest size, it’s packed with birdlife and scenic trails.
You'll start the walk at the little harbour where you will probably see Crna njorka and possibly Kratkorepi pomornik, Sjeverni zovoj, Bijela strnadica and Burni Galeb. You might see skuas, fulmars or gulls already on your (20 min) ferry boat trip from Árskógssandur to Hrísey. Keep your eyes open for whales when you're on the ferry.
Leave the harbour northbound on the only possibly path. You will soon reach some ponds where you can watch Crvenonoga Prutka, Tankokljuna liskonoga and Polarna juričica. At the end of the village you have to turn right. Before you do so, follow the main path a few meters and turn left to reach a birdwatching hide. Krunata Patka, Zviždara, Prugasti Pozviždač, Troprsti Zlatar, Tankokljuna liskonoga and Polarna juričica are around there.
Go back to the turning and follow the path uphill up to a fork where you keep left. You surely will see many of the birds mentioned above. You will reach the eastern cliffs of Hrísey where you should keep your eyes open for whales. Arktička čigra, Crna njorka or even Tupik might be seen. After the mid of July Islandska patka possibly will attract your attention. The whole path back to the harbour will take at least 3 hours to have enough time for watching or making photos. Best time of the year for a visit is between June and August.
Details
Access
Hrísey is located in the north of Iceland, in the middle of Eyjafjörður, one of the country’s longest fjords. To get to the island, you drive about 35 kilometers north from Akureyri to the small village of Árskógssandur. From there you have to take the ferry (see the link to the ferry schedule below). The ferry trip lasts about 20 minutes.