Wilderness Center Hotel

The Wilderness Center is a true paradise for those seeking to experience the most raw and authentic side of Iceland. Called Óbyggðasetrið in Icelandic (óbyggð means unsettled and uncultivated area), the Center lives up to its name. It is located on the edge of Northern Europe’s largest wilderness.

This peaceful hideaway offers visitors a wide range of exciting and diverse activities like hiking, horse riding, fishing, a museum exhibition, and a spa. You can stay in a lovely farmhouse, museum dormitory, or hotel - all with antique furniture. Experience Icelandic culture, try traditional food, and enjoy historic accommodations with modern-day comforts.

Meals

The Wilderness Center offers a variety of traditional Icelandic dishes that are all served in the Old Farmhouse building. 

Breakfast typically consists of homemade bread and pastries, fresh fruit and vegetables, and cereals. You can also find some traditional Icelandic treats like brown cheese, mysa (the liquid left over from producing cheese), cold liver oil, sour milk, and lummur (oatmeal pancakes). 

The old farmhouse restaurant also serves an Icelandic family-style dinner every day. The guests are invited to enjoy traditional meals like roasted Icelandic lamb leg with potatoes, roasted vegetables, salad with sheep milk cheese, rhubarb jam, green peas, red cabbage, homemade bread, and butter. There are also fish (Icelandic Plokkfiskur) and vegetarian dishes. All the other dietary restrictions are taken into consideration as well, just be sure to inform the staff in advance.

There is also a coffee and cake buffet for the museum visitors that is open every day 12:00-16:00 from June 1 to September 31. It offers a selection of fresh homemade bread, pastries, and pancakes. You can choose various toppings like jam or whipped cream and enjoy a cup of fresh coffee or tea.

Wilderness Exhibition

The museum invites guests to step into the past and experience authentic Eastern Iceland. The exhibition features the life of Icelandic families from previous centuries. The audio (approximately 30 minutes) guides you through an exhibition space and reveals stories and folktales about the people who lived in the Icelandic wilderness long ago. 

After the audio guide, you will get to see the old workshops and pantries of historical families and hear stories about their tools, traditions, and working methods. 

Activities

The Wilderness Center offers guests a whole bouquet of activities, from a rejuvenating spa experience to adventurous horse riding or cross-country skiing in the highlands. 

The cozy, authentic Spa is open year-round and included in the overnight stay. Daytime guests can also book it for an additional fee. The Bathhouse consists of a Finnish Sauna, a relaxing space with hammocks and a fireplace, two locker rooms, showers, and bathrooms. Outside the Bathhouse, you’ll find a hot pool and a cold pool to cool off. You can enjoy soaking in the hot spring while admiring the views of the beautiful valley or the starry night sky. 

The Center offers day, multiday, and tailor-made tours. In summer, you can experience horse riding trips, hiking in the wilderness, riding a mountain bike, and fishing. In wintertime, try winter stargazing, skiing, and mindfulness tours.

Many hiking trails begin right on the property, leading you to the most beautiful destinations. The Waterfall Trail extends for 10 miles (17 km), featuring numerous waterfalls along the way and culminating at the beautiful Laugarfell Hot Springs. Another popular path leads to the abandoned farm of Kleif, where adventurous hikers can experience the thrill of crossing the Jökulsá River using a traditional cableway winch!