Working & Horseback riding in the North

WORK/PROJECT: This particular project will combine different tasks such as light renovation of a farm house and improving the environments around. Furthermore we will start an ambitious project of planting in the valley, mostly using Vaccinium myrtillus (European blueberry).

The working plan will be flexible and it will depend on weather conditions in the north of Iceland. We will assist in cleaning up the area, clearnig old fences and replacing them, we will work about 8 hours per day, from Monday to Friday. SEEDS volunteers will be expected to horse-back ride often as the neighbour farmer would like his horses moved.

SEEDS volunteers participating in this project will have the unique opportunity to live and work in one of the most beautiful, but isolated valleys in Iceland. While we help to preserve the local environment, we will explore the surroundings of the location and enjoy free time activities arranged in cooperation with the local host. 

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will have a house for themselves; some of the volunteers will sleep on mattresses on the floor, but most will sleep on beds. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bag. 

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: The land, Bakki and Karlsstadir is situated in the fjord Ólafsfjörður on the peninsula in northern Iceland called Tröllaskagi. The peninsula is mountainous with several peaks reaching over 1000 meters above sea level; the tallest is Kerling (1538 m). It is the part of Iceland with the highest elevation outside the central highlands.

The peninsula is cut by several deep valleys that were carved by glaciers during the glacial periods of the last Ice age and later by the rivers that now flow down those valleys. A few permanent glacier ice caps still exist in central Tröllaskagi but they are all rather small.

Human settlement is only extant in the relatively flat lowlands along the coast and in the valleys; these lowlands nevertheless are densely populated by Icelandic standards with important agricultural regions and a few towns and villages that mostly base their livelihood on fisheries. The town closest to our work camp, eleven kilometres away, is Ólafsfjörður named after the fjord and the valley that hosts the town.   

The waters of Ólafsfjörður Lake, itself has a long-lived reputation for mystery, not least because both fresh-water and salt –water fish are caught in it.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

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

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

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros).

Please note that the fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic crowns.

Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors, and need to be flexible and motivated to work in all the diverse tasks connected with the project. 

SEEDS volunteers will be expected to horse-back ride often as the neighbour farmer would like his horses moved.

Free time activities in the area will be arranged for SEEDS volunteers.

Age: 18+