The Old bridges and Estuary

A walking and cycling route that follows the estuary of the Eyjarfjarðará River and forms part of an old historic route.

The starting and ending point is at Hof Cultural Centre. The route can be shortened by starting from the parking area south of the airport, at the southern end of the airport area by Road 821. If this option is chosen, the route is walked out and back along the same path.

If completing the full loop, the route begins at Hof and follows the coastal path (Strandstígur) across the Leirur estuary alongside Route 1, then continues onto Eyjarfjarðarbraut Eystri (Road 829). From there, it turns right onto an old gravel road beneath a lush hillside where you can find beautiful ponds and a small waterfall. The trail then continues along a narrow dirt track beside a fence before turning right (east) onto the old main road, which crosses the valley via two of the old bridges on the historic route. After the second bridge, turn left and cross a newer bridge that was built when the airport area was expanded.
At this point, it is possible to take a short detour. After crossing the second old bridge, a grassy path leads to the right along the riverbank toward the estuary, where you will find a birdwatching hut that is open to everyone. The path follows well-vegetated trails and wetlands as you approach the estuary.

Returning to the old brigde route, continue over the newest bridge by the airport area. Follow the road along the airport fence, and at the southwestern end of the airport turn right onto a walking and cycling path that runs alongside Eyjarfjarðarbraut Vestri (Road 821) toward Akureyri. Along the way, you pass the Icelandic Aviation Museum and the airport terminal, continue along the coastal path/Drottningarbraut, and eventually return to the starting point at Hof.

On Wikiloc and Google Earth