Dalabyggð og Laugar

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working with the local municipality of Dalabyggð, in the west of Iceland, and a youth activity center owned and run by the Icelandic Sports and culture Federation. The volunteers’ main task will be to mark walking/hiking trails. This can be a rather physically demanding job and may require a good physical condition.

The weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable, be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and be sure to bring warm clothing since most of the work will take place outdoors.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local summer hotel, in a sleeping bag accommodation, sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Food supplies will be provided and a kitchen will be available. Volunteers will share the duties of cooking and cleaning. Some days the volunteers might be provided with cooked meals in the hotel. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: The project will take place in the country side in the West of Iceland; in a district called Dalabyggð ('Valley district'). The only town of Dalabyggð is Búðardalur. Dalabyggð, was formed in 1994 when 8 municipalities were merged. Its population is about 700 and it has been experiencing slight decline over the past five years. Therefore the area which is 2.421 km² only has 0.2% of the population of Iceland.

There are many valleys in Dalir and often it is unclear where one starts and another ends. The heaths above and between the valleys are covered with vegetation, animal life and lakes, many of which contain trout. Around the lakes and rivers, it is possible to watch the rich and varied birdlife. Further away from the coastline lie the many islands of Breiðarfjörður in all their glory which form a magnificent view when bathed in the light of the setting sun over this great fjord.

The municipality is known for the country’s most fertile and best rivers for salmon and trout fishing, as well as plenty of fresh water lakes for freshwater trout. The area is popular with hikers who can choose from many different paths and routes ranging from easy to very challenging and difficult.  

Dalabyggð is not only famous for fishing and hiking, it has been mentioned in many of the Sagas and was the setting in two of very famous Viking sagas from the 850 to 1300. Two of Iceland’s most famous poets also lived in Dalabyggð, therefore the place is ideal for history savvy volunteers.

Strong women have always played a key role in the history of Dalir. One of the first settlers of Iceland was the aforementioned Auður djúpuðga (The Deep-Minded) from Hvammur who played a vital role in freeing bonded men and claiming vast areas of land in Dalir. Thjóðhildur, Eirik-the-Red, Leifur-the-Lucky and others left Dalir to discover Greenland and later America.

The project location is about 180 kilometre drive from Reykjavík through the “whale tunnel”.

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 (BSÍ).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp site 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.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 160 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors and be prepared to experience all kinds of weather. Our hosting partner will organise some free time activities in the area; for instance going to a swimming pool and an excursion in the area.

AGE: 18+