My ItineraryHostel Ytra Lón
Photos
Address
Ytra Lón
Langanes
Þórshöfn
Iceland
Tel. +354 846-6448
ytralon@hostel.is
Customer Rating
| 90% | ||
| 89% | ||
| 92% | ||
| 91% | ||
| 93% | ||
| 89% | ||
| 93% | ||
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews Ytra Lón
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27 May 2013 Noah, USA
Great place. The only thing I would want was internet acess
Hostel response:
Hi Noah, thank you for your positive feedback. We really would like to have the possibility of offering our guests internet access. Unfortunately things often take time at remote places like ours, we have a long distance internet connection at our office, this is really really expensive for just very little download. So we just cannot offer our guests the use of this download which hardly is sufficient for our self. We hope this will change in the near future, until then, see it as a good opportunity to get rid of an internet addiction for a few days, it really can give you a feeling of freedom ;) We always try to assist our guests with information about road conditions and weather forecast. Mirjam -
10 May 2013 Rose, USA
If you're looking for isolation, this is the place. The sheep farm wasn't what I was expecting. Farms are dirty, smelly places, but I suppose that's what you get on a real farm. But the owners were very friendly and the town was nice.
Hostel response:
Hi Rose, thank you for your feedback. Would be nice to hear what you expected of a sheep farm ;) Hope you had a good stay anyway! Mirjam -
03 May 2013 Boyce, USA
Great hostel in a great open setting.
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09 Feb 2013 Graham, USA
Friendly folks, and the area is gorgeous! I'd love to come back!
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30 Oct 2012 Viktor, Russia
Great place!
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10 Aug 2012 Javier Jesus, Spain
We arrived there just for sleep and continue our trip, but we left with the feeling of hadn´t taken profit of all the nice facillities and surroundings. We have to come back to check. :-)
Hostel response:
We would love to welcome you again some time Javier, hope you are able to visit Iceland again! Mirjam -
29 Jul 2012 Angela, Germany
It is a really long way to get to Ytra Lon, it is a very lonesome, but beautiful place. If you like nature and don´t mind driving there you will find a place to rest and fill your senses with light and happiness. You should at least stay one day, because it is far to far away from anything else as to spend just one night there.
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14 Jul 2012 Michel, Belgium
quit remote area, but very interesting for birdwatching (puffins, gannets, ...)
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30 Jun 2012 Wouter, Belgium
Excellent stay, very remote location but that's what we were looking for. The typical tourist doesn't come this far up north so you can enjoy Iceland at its best!
Hostel Overview
The unspoiled nature, many different kinds of birds and the peaceful environment makes Ytra Lón an ideal stop for nature lovers and people who are seeking a relaxed atmosphere in a family owned Hostel, with an Icelandic-Dutch family. While walking along the coast you see a number of long left farmhouses, a big variety of plants, thousands of Arctic Sterns and a close view of the Gannet, breeding among other seabirds on the rocks. Only 20 meters from the Hostel runs the river Lónsá where anglers can try trout fishing. At the hostel guests can enjoy a hot tub which is warm and inviting all year round. It´s a great experience to watch the starry sky from the hot tub during the winter, and even better when the northern lights are out and about. Guests have the opportunity to join and take part in the work on the farm.Nearest hostels: - Húsey 183 km (ca. 1 hour 30 min) - Kópasker 84 km (ca. 1 hour) -Seyðisfjörður 203 km (ca. 2 hours 30 min)
See http://www.hostel.is/Hostels/Ytralon/ for Directions.
The distance to Kópasker Hostel is no longer 84 km. since we have a new and very nice road!
! Spring 2010 we opened a new wing which consists of 9 studio apartments for 2 – 4 persons with bathroom and kitchenette, fully equipped with cooking facilities, microwave, toaster etc. Book our apartments 'Comfort' with made up beds and breakfast included!
More information about Langanes: Shaped like a goose with a very large head, the foggy Langanes peninsula is one of the loneliest corners of Iceland. Most of the flat or undulating part of Langanes, which is riddled with abandoned farms, is rich in marshland as well as arctic and alpine flora. The moors at the base of Langanes form a tundra plain of lakes, marshes and low hills. It’s pleasant and unchallenging walking country. The tallest peak of mountainous southern Langanes, Gunnólfsvíkurfjall, rises to 719m and the easternmost coasts are charactarised by cliffs up to 130m high. On one of them, Heiðarfjall, called ‘Misty Mountain’, NATO operated a radarstation during the cold war from 1957 until 1970. Drinking water is plentiful, but there are no facilities beyond Þórshöfn, so carry everything you’ll need. Hikers should allow 4 - 5 days for the return trip from Ytra Lón to Fontur. After the turn-off to the Hostel the road gets a little rougher but is still OK for 2WD vehicles. At several places Langanes provides major breeding ground for the peripatetic arctic tern and at Skoruvíkurbjarg you get a close look of the gannet, breeding on Stóri Karl (Big Man). The fog-bound cliffs at the northeastern tip of Langanes have long proved dangerous to passing ships. The Fontur lighthouse at the cape dates from 1910 and there’s a monument to the shipwrecked English sailors who died of hypothermia after ascending the ravine there. It’s now called Engelskagjá (English Gorge). From the western end of Skoruvík the road leads across the peninsula to Skálabjarg, a long and formidable bird cliff on the wild south coast of Langanes. At the turn of the century, the ruined farm of Skálar, northeast of the cliff, was a prosperous fishing village. The best base from which to explore the Langanes peninsula is Farm Hostel Ytra Lón. It’s part of a working sheepfarm and the guest rooms and studio apartments provides plenty of comfort in this remote outpost. In summer there are few places that offer such spectacular views of the midnight sun as Langanes. ........................................................................................................................................................................ Activities: ........................................................................................................................................................................
Bird-watching and egg collecting: Every year from around 15 May to 10 June Þórshöfn’s egg gathering club heads up to the wild and rocky cliffs on the Langanes peninsula to collect eggs from the colonies of black gulls, a tradition stretching back many years. The collection involves cliff-climbing and abseiling using professional equipment. The local club invites visitors to join in the tours, which include bird-watching guides and cliff-climbing instructions for those who want to try for themselves. For more information contact the hostel by e-mail. .........................................................................................................................................................................
Hiking: Langanes is a veritable outdoor paradise teeming with birdlife, great for nature study and hiking as well as some tangible history. Hikes from Farm Hostel Ytra Lón range from less than 2 hours up to 6 days or more. The difficulty varies, so everyone should find a trail that suits. A trip to the outlying peninsula is an unforgettable adventure, passing remnants of ancient farms and more recently deserted buildings. Below Skoruvík cliffs is Stóri Karl rock column, one of Iceland's largest gannet colonies. Way out on the eastern shore stood village Skálar from 1910-1946. A booklet about Skálar is for sale at the reception. Farm Hostel Ytra Lón provides fully guided hiking and bird watching tours and transportation. To the coastline, to the mountains and cliffs, to see ruins and abandoned houses, to visit outlying lighthouses or take a walk in the town Þórshöfn, all by your request. Apart from all the hiking you can do on Langanes peninsula there is a marked trail on the west site of Þórshöfn at Rauðanes peninsula, 44km from Ytra Lón. This small and scenic peninsula is endowed with steep cliffs full of nesting birds, caves, offshore sea stacks and an exposed rock face, Stakkatorfa, where a great chunk of land collapsed into the sea. It’s an excellent area for hiking. Hiking maps of the area are for sale at the reception. .......................................................................................................................................................................
Angling: Our guests can try free trout-fishing in lake Ytra Lón. Only 20 meters from the hostel runs our little jewel, the river Lónsá, this is a neatly proportioned sea trout and sea char river where two rods are permitted. Above the short estuary, which often yields good catches, is an inner lagoon and then a distance of approximately two kilometers where the river flows through grassy meadows and homesteads. An added advantage is the possibility of choosing the 12 legally restricted angling hours at your own convenience. Fly fishing only in the upper reaches of the river. Purchase your fishing license by e-mail! Price fishing license 2013: 4.800 ISK. per rod per day (12 hours) 3.500 ISK per rod 1/2 day (6 hours). .........................................................................................................................................................................
Border Collies: This dog is well known for being a great sheepdog. When the Border Collie is ready to work, it’s tail will drop and their hypnotic eyes control livestock of all shapes and sizes. As the premier herding dog in the world, the Border Collie has gathered large flocks from great distances and found lost stock in the worst of weather. That’s why we choose to work with this great dog. In summertime a few sheep stay at home so we have some cattle to train our dogs. You ‘re welcome to be our audience when we are training at the end of the day. ...............................................................................................................................................................................
Farmersgolf and Geocaching: Farmersgolf is a variation on the classic golf game but with a difference. “The green” is a vast barnyard, 10 holes determine the route through the landscape. Who finishes the 10 holes in the least amount of hits, is the winner. A ball is hit at the start with a Farmersgolf club in the direction of a hole marked with a flag. The hole is a bucket which has been dug into the ground. Everybody can play Farmersgolf, age nor sports background don’t matter and it can be played individually or as a team. Geocaching in Langanes shows all interesting places in the peninsula. A multi-cache who involves several locations. There is a hint to find the second cache, and the second cache has a hint to the third, and so on. ...............................................................................................................................................................................
Jacuzzi: Farm Hostel Ytra Lón has a fantastic Jacuzzi where you can relax after a good hike and sightseeing day. What could be cozier? It’s irresistible. ...............................................................................................................................................................................
Travel and Transportation: Do you want to see the bird rocks on Langanes peninsula, the ruins of Skálar village, explore the Misty Mountain, go all the way to Fontur or be dropped of for a hike somewhere? No problem! At the Hostel we offer a drive-and-go service for our guests. When interested please ask for more information and prices by e-mail in advance so we can arrange some trips during your stay. ...........................................................................................................................................................................
Transfer bus stop Þórshöfn or airport Þórshöfn – Hostel Ytra Lón: Upon request we offer a pick-up service for our guest who arrive by bus or by plane. Price 2013: one way 1.800 ISK. per person. ...........................................................................................................................................................................
***Special Attention: Bedlinen for hire at the hostel reception. Order breakfast at your arrival! Breakfast buffet is served in our new wing with home-made goodies like smoked trout, lambspaté, marmelade and whatever the greenhouse has to offer each time. Price 2013: 1.600 ISK. Prices shown are HI membership prices for +12 years. Non HI members pay 500 ISK "nonmembers charge" per night on arrival or buy an international HI membership card which will be valid for 1 year all around the world.*** ...........................................................................................................................................................................
The Hostel is proud to call itself a ‘Green Hostel’ we try to work in an environmental friendly and selfsufficient way in all aspects of our Farm and Hostel bussinesses. ...........................................................................................................................................................................
For further information contact the Hostel straight. Have a safe and exciting journey, we look forward to meeting you on Langanes!
Hostel bed capacity
| Beds per room: | |||||
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Total beds |
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| Number of rooms: | |||||
| 9 | 6 | 1 | 46 | ||
Opening times
Opening times (daily/weekly):
The reception is open every day from 8:00-10:00 and 16:00-23:00. Check in is from 16:00 and rooms are available at the same time. Check out time is 10:00.
From 1.September - 30.Mai the reception is only open in the afternoon form 16.00-22.00. Call in advance during the wintertime.
Opening times (over the year):
All year. Call in advance during the wintertime.
Map & Directions
Street Map and Route Planning
Directions
| Bus: | Bus transfers from Akureyri to Þórshöfn are available by booking, every day except Saturdays. Note! Bookings have to be made at least 4 hrs in advance, tel. + 354 540 2700. www.straeto.is, Route 79. Guests are picked up from Þórshöfn for a reasonable fee. |
| Parking: | At hostel |
| Location: | Ytra Lón is situated at road no. 869, 14 km northeast from Þórshöfn. For those who arrive by ferry in Seyðisfjörður, it's just about 3 hours to get here. Take road 917 over the Hellisheiði and you drive the highest mountain pass of Iceland, really very spectacular. |
| Airport: | There are flight connections from Akureyri every day (except Saturdays and Sundays). You leave from Reykjavík at 7.30 a.m. change planes in Akureyri and arrive at Þórshöfn airport 10.30 a.m. Guests are picked up from the airport for a reasonable fee. |
Attractions & Facilities
Attractions
 | Museums/art galleries nearby | | Historical sites nearby |
| River/harbour/lake nearby | | Hiking area |
| Main attractions nearby | | Swimming pool at or near hostel |
| Restaurants nearby | | Hostel with a difference |
| Leisure facilities nearby | | Beach at or near hostel |
| Mountainous/hilly area | | Meet other travellers! Read their tips for things to do in Ytra Lón |
Facilities
 | Discounts and concessions available |  | Family rooms available |
 | Suitable for wheelchair users |  | Hostel open 24h |
 | Sheets for hire |  | Self-catering kitchen |
 | Groups welcome |  | Common room(s) |
 | Credit card accepted |  | Café/Bar |
 | Individual traveller welcome |  | Luggage Store |
 | Non smoking room/area |  | Garden |
 | Green Hostel |  | Playground |
 | Rates include local tax |  | Cycle store at Hostel |
 | BBQ |