beygðinni

beygðinni is a well‑known landmark located in the central highlands of Iceland, situated along the iconic Route 1 near the town of Húsavík. The name, which literally translates to “the bend,” refers to the dramatic horseshoe shape of the road as it winds around a prominent basaltic ridge that rises to an elevation of approximately 450 m above sea level. The ridge itself comprises alternating layers of lava flows and ash deposits that were laid down during a series of volcanic eruptions in the late Pleistocene, making it an important site for geological study and for understanding the region’s volcanic history.

The area around beyggðinni is frequented by hikers and road‑trippers, particularly those seeking panoramic views of the surrounding glacial valleys and the terraced farmland that borders the highlands. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, travelers noted the bend as a natural landmark for navigation, and it has since been depicted in several Icelandic travelogues and guidebooks. Culturally, the bend is occasionally mentioned in Icelandic folklore as a place where land spirits are said to reside, partly because of the unique interplay of light on the basalt columns at sunrise.

Today beyggðinni continues to attract visitors for its scenic vistas and as a convenient shortcut between the northern and eastern parts of the country. The Icelandic Ministry of Infrastructure maintains a small visitor centre here that provides information on local wildlife, safety precautions for driving on gravel roads, and educational displays on the geology of the highlands. The site is also used by researchers from the University of Iceland for field studies of rock weathering processes.