Strandir in the Westfjords of Iceland

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS has been working with the municipality of Strandabyggð since 2009 with very good results for the volunteers, the locals and SEEDS. Strandir (e. The coasts), located on the north-eastern part of the western fjords of Iceland, are a hiker’s paradise.

SEEDS volunteers will be working on restoring and maintaining hiking trails. Maintaining these pathways is very important to encourage people in the area to enjoy the beautiful environment in a way that does not spoil the nature around. The ground is sometimes rocky and volunteers have to work together to find the most suitable place for the path. Volunteers will also help re-arrange stones that mark the paths and repair a stones culvert and a small bridge.

Work can be physically demanding and volunteers should be in a good physical condition. Be prepared for some flexibility due to the weather as it can be unpredictable, please bring warm clothing since most of the work will take place outdoors and it can get cold or rainy sometimes.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local house which is a school house in winters and have access to shower facilities. Participants will also have the chance to go to the local swimming pool. Volunteers will be sleeping on mattresses on the floor in shared rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Food ingredients will be provided and volunteers will have access to a kitchen. Volunteers will share the duties of cooking and cleaning. Please do not forget some traditional/typical food and/or drinks from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: The work camp takes place in the West fjords at the north-western part of Iceland. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills.

The region of Strandir was for centuries one of the most remote areas in Iceland, known for the inhabitants' knowledge of magic and as a refuge for criminals and outlaws. The landscape of Strandir is far from uniform, the low hills of Hrútafjörður in the south gradually change to 700 m high mountains rising straight from the coast in the northern part.

The population in the Strandir region is under 800. The towns of Hólmavík and Drangsnes are the most populated; around 400 people in Hólmavík and 100 in Drangsnes. The people of Strandir live almost entirely on traditional fishing and farming and are increasingly aware of their heritage and will proudly tell tales of their ancestors' dealings with ghosts and other supernatural beings.

It has often been said that the people of Strandir know a bit more about witchcraft and sorcery than others, and to underscore that claim The Museum of Sorcery & Witchcraft, which takes one on a magical tour into the mystical world of the supernatural, is to be found in the area.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the project and vice versa. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, it allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

Departure time for  will be at 10:00 am in the morning on June 1.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 180 (Euros). Please note that the fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic crowns.

Volunteers need to be prepared for physical demanding work. Bring warm winter clothes as the project takes place outside and the weather can be cold.

Our hosting partner will organize some free time activities in the surroundings of the project.