Kjarnaskógur Forest - Image 1
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Kjarnaskógur Forest Akureyri

4.6
·350 reviews·600Akureyri, Iceland

A beautiful forest near Akureyri with diverse trails, playgrounds, BBQ spots, and unique features like a beach volleyball court.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring & Summer mornings

Ideal for hiking and playgrounds

CrowdLow
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Kjarnaskógur Forest - Image 1

Kjarnaskógur Forest Akureyri

Best Time

Spring & Summer mornings

Ideal for hiking and playgrounds

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A beautiful forest near Akureyri with diverse trails, playgrounds, BBQ spots, and unique features like a beach volleyball court.

4.6
(350 reviews)

"A big nice forest with lots of trails, art, playgrounds, nice view & a labyrinth."

Vertical photo
TIP

📸 Map Your Hike

Take a photo of trail maps at the entrance to avoid getting lost on unmarked paths .

🥾 Wear Sturdy Shoes

Trails can be muddy, especially after rain, so good footwear is essential .

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Unmarked Hiking Trails

Unmarked Hiking Trails

Throughout the forest

Explore a network of trails offering beautiful scenery, art installations, and hidden benches.

Playgrounds & Adventure

Playgrounds & Adventure

Various locations within the forest

Fun for all ages with playgrounds, swings, and adventure outbound activities.

Forest Lagoon Views

Forest Lagoon Views

Near the forest

Relax and enjoy stunning views after a hike or ski, especially in winter.

Beach Volleyball Court

Beach Volleyball Court

Within the forest

A unique sandy court nestled amongst the trees for a fun game.

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Planning Your Visit

Navigating Kjarnaskógur's Trails

While Kjarnaskógur Forest offers beautiful hiking, be prepared for unmarked trails. Redditors advise taking a photo of the map at trailheads to avoid getting lost, as paths can be confusing.Reddit Plan for longer hikes than expected, especially if you're aiming for specific routes.Reddit

Best Time for Forest Fun

Kjarnaskógur is a year-round destination, but spring and summer offer the best conditions for hiking and enjoying the playgrounds.Reddit Winter brings a magical snowy landscape perfect for cross-country skiing.Instagram

Best Times

When
Spring & Summer mornings
Why
Ideal for hiking and playgrounds
Crowd
Low
When
Winter afternoons
Why
Magical snowy landscapes
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

How does this place in Iceland exist on Earth 🤯😭 -————————— ✅ BUCKET LIST - AKUREYRI, ICELAND ✅  👉 Forest Lagoon 🍂 (make sure to go during off-peak hours) 👉 Santa House 🎅 👉 Dog sledding 🐕 (goHusky Dogsledding Tours) 👉 Goðafoss 🌊 (Waterfall) 👉 Námafjall Hverir 🌋 (Geothermal volcanic field) 👉 Skútustaðagígar 🌋 (Beautiful area with craters) 👉 Vogafjós Farm Resort 🐄 (Ice cream) 👉 Grjótagjá 🌋 (Ancient...
@adamboro
201.9K likes • 1.1M views

📸 Map Your Hike

Take a photo of trail maps at the entrance to avoid getting lost on unmarked paths.Reddit

🥾 Wear Sturdy Shoes

Trails can be muddy, especially after rain, so good footwear is essential.Reddit

¡8 días de aventura por Islandia! Un viaje lleno de paisajes impresionantes, volcanes, glaciares y naturaleza salvaje. ✨ Explora lo mejor de Islandia recorriendo: 🇮🇸 Reykjavik – La vibrante capital, con su arquitectura moderna, historia vikinga y la famosa iglesia Hallgrímskirkja. 🇮🇸 Akureyri – Conocida como la ""capital del norte"", ofrece vistas al fiordo, jardines botánicos y su encanto tranqui...
@viajesmt
164.2K likes • 1.9M views
Hó hvílík dásemd! (Ó árans hláka framundan.) #akureyri #kjarnaskógur #forest #xcskiing #crosscountry #bestistaðurinn #alltafgottveðuráakureyri
thorgnyrd
7 likes • 405 views

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Fun Zone

Plenty of playgrounds and activities to keep kids entertained.Reddit

🎿 Winter Skiing

Enjoy cross-country skiing in the beautiful snowy forest.Instagram

Come run with me on trails in Northern Iceland! More specifically the trail from Kjarnaskógur forest over mount Fálkafell. Part of the route in the Súlur Vertical races. Very moderate elevation close to the town of Akureyri, but the trails are SO much fun and the view to die for! 🤩🥹 And having a great company on a wonderful not so cold, not so hot day to top it all! Sometimes I ask myself why I b...
anna_olafs
12 likes • 608 views

Tips

from all over the internet

📸 Map Your Hike

Take a photo of trail maps at the entrance to avoid getting lost on unmarked paths.Reddit

🥾 Wear Sturdy Shoes

Trails can be muddy, especially after rain, so good footwear is essential.Reddit

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Fun Zone

Plenty of playgrounds and activities to keep kids entertained.Reddit

🎿 Winter Skiing

Enjoy cross-country skiing in the beautiful snowy forest.Instagram

🏖️ Unique Volleyball

Don't miss the sandy beach volleyball court hidden in the woods!

What Travellers Say

4.6
(350 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Kjarnaskógur Forest is praised as a beautiful and versatile natural space near Akureyri, offering something for everyone from hikers to families. Visitors appreciate the playgrounds, barbecue areas, and unique features like the beach volleyball court. However, the lack of trail markings can be a significant drawback for hikers.

"Very nice place!
You can find there barbecue, children playgrounds, beautiful small water streams, some ominous statues or hidden benches. Perfect place for small hike in the woods and to spend some time near the trees."

Maciej Lipiński

"Big nice forest with lots of trails, art, playgrounds, nice view & a labyrinth. Not far from Akureyri. A camping place near by. They also have a beach volleyball field in the forest with tons of sand 🏖️ Lots of parking spots & something for everyone."

Josefina M

"Went there for a hike, and actually got lost. There are no signs, no map, no markings on the trails… we wanted to follow the red parh. Started walking, ended up on the pink one. Continued towards the red one, ended up even further on the white one. Tried to reach the other side of the pink one, ended up at the start of the blue one !!! They don’t indicate if trails are easy, moderate or hard. We ended up on top of the mountain in mud trails and it was raining. Couldn’t make sense of the names of the trails since there was no markings and no map on top. Thank god we met an Icelandic woman who helped us get back to the parking lot ! Thought we were going on a 20 min walk, ended up on a 1h30 hike instead ! But at least views were nice 🥹"

Rachel Therrien

What People Like

Beautiful forest setting
Family-friendly playgrounds
Picnic and BBQ facilities

What People Dislike

Unmarked trails

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Kjarnaskógur Forest is conveniently located close to Akureyri. You can drive there, and there are ample parking spots available.Reddit Some visitors have noted that Google Maps might not be perfectly accurate for the exact trailheads, so be mindful of your surroundings.Reddit

While specific public transport routes directly into the forest might be limited, it's very close to Akureyri, making it easily reachable by a short drive or taxi. Consider checking local bus schedules for routes that get you near the forest's edge.

The trails are beautiful but often unmarked. Redditors strongly recommend taking a photo of the trail map at the trailhead before you start your hike to help you navigate and avoid getting lost.Reddit

While specific trail names are hard to follow due to lack of markings,Reddit many visitors enjoy exploring the various paths that lead to scenic viewpoints and art installations. The forest offers a range of difficulties, from easy walks to more challenging mountain routes.Reddit

Yes, Kjarnaskógur Forest is accessible year-round. In winter, it transforms into a picturesque snowy landscape, perfect for cross-country skiing Instagram and enjoying the serene beauty.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Kjarnaskógur Forest is a public park and does not have an entrance fee. You can explore its trails and amenities for free.Reddit

As an outdoor natural area, Kjarnaskógur Forest is generally accessible at all times. However, it's best to visit during daylight hours for safety and enjoyment, especially when navigating the trails.

No, booking is not required to visit Kjarnaskógur Forest. It's a public space open to all visitors.

Yes, the forest offers various facilities including barbecue areas, children's playgrounds, and benches.Reddit There's also a unique beach volleyball court.Reddit

Absolutely! Kjarnaskógur Forest is a perfect destination for a day trip from Akureyri, offering a mix of nature, recreation, and relaxation for all ages.Reddit

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

You can enjoy hiking on numerous trails, picnicking with barbecue facilities, playing on playgrounds, and even trying out the beach volleyball court.Reddit+1 In winter, cross-country skiing is a popular activity.Instagram

Unfortunately, the trails are often unmarked, which can lead to confusion. It's highly recommended to take a picture of the trail map at the trailhead before you begin your hike.Reddit

Kjarnaskógur is very family-friendly, with dedicated children's playgrounds, swings, and adventure outbound activities.Reddit+1 There are also 'jumpy things' mentioned by visitors.Reddit

Yes, there are designated barbecue areas within the forest, making it a great spot for a picnic.Reddit

The forest features various art installations and 'ominous statues' scattered along the trails, adding an element of discovery to your walk.Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Kjarnaskógur offers beautiful natural scenery, especially during spring and summer with lush greenery.Instagram The winter wonderland with snow Instagram and the unique beach volleyball court provide interesting photographic subjects. Don't forget the art installations!Reddit

Yes, the forest provides diverse landscapes, from dense woods to open areas with views. The changing seasons offer different photographic possibilities, from vibrant greens to snowy whites.Instagram

Golden hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, can offer beautiful lighting for landscape and nature photography. However, the forest's charm is present throughout the day.

While not explicitly marked, many trails lead to elevated points offering lovely views over the forest and surrounding areas.Instagram Keep an eye out for natural clearings.

Absolutely! The 'ominous statues' and other art pieces are unique features of the forest and make for interesting photographic subjects.Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Kjarnaskógur Forest is a dream destination for families. You'll find plenty of playgrounds, swings, and adventure activities to keep the little ones entertained for hours.Reddit+1 The forest also offers barbecue areas for easy family picnics and even a unique beach volleyball court Reddit for some active fun. Remember to grab a photo of the trail map at the entrance, as trails can be unmarked, but the main family areas are usually easy to find.

🚶‍♀️ Hikers and Nature Lovers

For those who love to explore on foot, Kjarnaskógur offers a network of trails with beautiful natural scenery.Reddit While the trails are largely unmarked,Reddit this can add to the sense of adventure. Take a photo of the trail map at the trailhead to help you navigate. The forest provides a peaceful escape with opportunities to discover art installations and hidden benches.Reddit The views from higher points can be spectacular.Instagram

❄️ Winter Enthusiasts

During the winter months, Kjarnaskógur Forest transforms into a magical snowy landscape. It's a prime spot for cross-country skiing,Instagram offering a serene way to experience the beauty of the Icelandic winter. The contrast of the snow against the trees creates a stunning visual, and the nearby Forest Lagoon Instagram provides a perfect warm-up after a day in the cold.

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Navigating the Trails: A Word of Caution

Kjarnaskógur Forest is a haven for hikers, offering a network of trails that wind through beautiful woodland. However, a recurring theme in visitor feedback is the lack of clear trail markings.Reddit This can lead to unexpected detours and longer hikes than anticipated, as one Redditor shared their experience of getting lost multiple times while trying to follow specific paths.Reddit To make the most of your hiking experience, it's highly recommended to take a photo of the trail map available at the trailhead before you set off.Reddit This simple step can save you a lot of confusion and ensure you enjoy the intended routes.

Family Fun and Recreation

Kjarnaskógur Forest is a fantastic destination for families, with a variety of activities designed to entertain children of all ages. Visitors frequently mention the presence of playgrounds, swings, and adventure outbound activities.Reddit+1 Beyond the standard play structures, there are also mentions of 'jumpy things',Reddit suggesting unique play equipment. The forest also features barbecue areas,Reddit making it an ideal spot for a family picnic. The unique beach volleyball court Reddit adds another layer of fun for active families.

Seasonal Beauty and Activities

The charm of Kjarnaskógur Forest changes dramatically with the seasons. During spring and summer, the forest is lush and green, offering ideal conditions for hiking and enjoying the outdoor recreational facilities.Instagram As winter approaches, the forest transforms into a winter wonderland,Instagram blanketed in snow. This makes it a popular spot for cross-country skiing,Instagram providing a serene and picturesque experience. The nearby Forest Lagoon also offers stunning views, especially during the colder months.Instagram

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