Land and Forest Iceland
Stálpastaðir National Forest
Location and access
Stálpastaðir National Forest is situated in the northern part of Skorradalur valley, near the middle of Skorradalsvatn, approximately a 25-minute drive from the town Borgarnes.
Facilities and activities
Stálpastaðir National Forest features an arboretum showcasing about thirty identified tree species from seventy global locations. The forest offers many scenic hiking trails and several picnic areas.
History of the land
The forest was established on a 345-hectare estate, from which it derives its name, Stálpastaðaskógur in Icelandic. It has been managed by Land and Forest Iceland (formerly the Icelandic Forest Service) since 1951, when Haukur Thors and Soffía Lára Hafstein Thors generously donated the land, resulting in its protection from grazing. A monument commemorating their gift was erected in 1971 and stands in the center of Stálpastaðir forest, near the main road. It is understood that the land was not well-suited for traditional farming due to its sloping terrain. On the other hand, it has proven ideal for forestry, as demonstrated by the thriving forest.
Afforestation in Stálpastaðir
Afforestation efforts in Stálpastaðir have transformed the landscape. The area, once covered in low-lying birch shrubs, has undergone extensive planting since the 1950s. Initially, existing shrubs were cleared to make way for new plantings, although larger shrubs were retained to shelter the young trees. While this approach was considered standard forest regeneration at the time, it was only employed briefly in Icelandic forestry. Since 1952, over 600,000 plants representing 28 species from 70 global locations have been planted across more than 100 hectares in Stálpastaðir.
Over the years, numerous generous individuals have contributed financially to the development of Stálpastaðir National Forest. These donations have significantly enhanced the public forestry agency's accomplishments at Stálpastaðir. Specifically:
In 1952, Ingibjörg and Þorsteinn Kjarval made a generous contribution used for planting.
In the years around 1955, Ludvig G. Braathen, a prominent Oslo fishing company owner, provided funding for planting at Stálpastaðir.
Students from the Agricultural College in Hvanneyri donated funds in memory of their principal, Halldór Vilhjálmsson.
The resulting plantings have been respectfully named in honor of these benefactors; in Stálpastaðir, you will find the Kjarval, Braathen, and Halldór groves. Furthermore, substantial support for individual projects has been provided by various companies, through both monetary and labor contributions.
The Stálpastaðir estate boasts at least 30 tree species, predominantly Norway and Sitka spruce. Many of the nation's largest Christmas trees for outddoor decorations originate from this forest. Initially, Sitka spruce was the primary focus, resulting in Stálpastaðir becoming the country's largest Sitka spruce forest, though other areas in Iceland have seen increased Sitka spruce planting in recent decades on a larger scale. Primarily a timber forest, Stálpastaðir National Forest offers invaluable experience in Sitka spruce production. It has already supplied timber for civil engineering projects and will continue to do so for years to come.
Other points of interest
Points of interest include Stálpastaðir National Forest being a significant location for research and education, conveniently situated near the Agricultural University of Iceland in Hvanneyri, where forestry studies are conducted. Collaborative research projects, such as Skógvist I and II, investigating the ecological and biodiversity impacts of afforestation, have been undertaken by the university, Land and Forest Iceland, and others. This proximity to Hvanneyri is beneficial for such endeavors. Furthermore, development projects exploring the use of Icelandic timber in construction and civil engineering are under consideration.
In Lake Skorradalsvatn, you may enjoy fishing for trout and char.
