Accommodation
Rooms with private bathroom in a renovated barn and cowshed, single, double and triple rooms. A show room and a canteen with glacier and mountain views. Also single and double rooms with shared bathrooms in a house called Miðfell.
Free Wi-Fi in all buildings. There are five geothermal hot tubs close to the guesthouses, free of charge for guests, surrounded by spectacular views. Laundry facilities.
Board
Breakfast is included and restaurant. The nearest supermarkets are in seaside town Höfn in Hornafjörður, east from Hoffell (20 km / 12.5 mi). Nearest restaurants west from Hoffell are is Hotel Smyrlabjörg (33 km / 21 mi), Restaurant Fjósið at Hólmur (18 km / 11 mi) and Hali (53 km / 33 mi).
Service and recreation
Geothermal hot tubs are open daily from 8 am to 9 pm, all year round. Numerous hiking trails from Hoffell and at virtually every footstep by the southern end of Vatnajökull glacier. Various tourist services in Hornafjörður specialise in regular tours to Vatnajökull and other renowned places in these parts around the southern parameter of Vatnajökull National Park. Bird watching. Conservation area Ósland and Glacier Museum at Höfn, which also houses a tourist information centre. Day tours to Jökulsárlón lagoon (65 km / 40 mi), Skaftafell (120 km / 75.5 mi) or Lón, an outdoor and hiking paradise (40 km / 25 mi). Horse rental in Árnanes (13 km / 8 mi). A nine-hole golf course, Silfurnesvöllur, by Höfn. The nearest town is Höfn (20 km / 12.5 mi) with a swimming pool, supermarkets, restaurants, tourist services and all general services.
Unique experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts
Guesthouse Hoffell is only some 3 km / 1.8 mi from Hoffellsjökull glacier, which is among Vatnajökull's largest outlet glaciers to the south. Around the glacier edge and circling the glacier are some spectacular hiking trails, long or short, easy or difficult. Nature in these parts is characterised by stark opposites. Vast and grassy low-lands; high mountains, many encircled by cliffs; roaring outlet glaciers; the glittering silvery glacier dome of Vatnajökull; dark, muddy and cold glacier rivers; and seething hot geothermal springs, not forgetting the black sand coast moulded by ocean waves.
Vatnajökull National Park, Haukafell, Fláajökull glacier
The mountainous area at the southern end of Vatnajökull, reaching all the way from the area east of Jökulsárlón lagoon with mountains Lónsöræfi and Stafafellsfjöll í Lóni (the area east of Hornafjörður) is one of the most popular outdoor areas in the country, with both hiking and glacier trips of many kinds. Try some of the diverse hiking routes of varying degrees of difficulty and length, where everyone can find a suitable path. This marks the southern end of Vatnajökull National Park and at its parameter the trails are marked with information signs. There are also popular outdoor areas in Haukafell (16 km / 10 mi) and by Fláajökull glacier (24 km / 15 mi). Get a map of hiking trails for these areas and of other popular trails in the adjacent areas at the tourist information centre at Höfn, for example.
Jökulsárlón lagoon and Skaftafell National Park
From Hoffell it is ideal to take a day trip to experience one of Iceland's most renowned natural phenomena, Jökulsárlón lagoon (65 km/40 mi). Then drive west to Öræfasveit and spend a few hours in Skaftafell (120 km/74.5 mi), a paradise reminiscent of an oasis in the desert, a delightful area where the opposites of Icelandic nature embrace, a lush flora and the scent of birch against the destroying power of glaciers and turbulent glacial rivers.
Hosts: Fríða, Ingibjörg og Þrúðmar