Iceland is not a country most people associate with reindeer. But in the highlands and valleys of East Iceland, herds of wild reindeer roam freely across some of the most remote and beautiful terrain in the country — and spotting them, unhurried and completely wild, is one of the most quietly memorable wildlife encounters the island offers.
Iceland’s Unexpected Reindeer
Most visitors to Iceland know about the puffins. Many know about the Arctic fox. Very few, until they are standing on a hillside in East Iceland watching a herd of reindeer pick its way across a snow-dusted ridge, know that reindeer are here at all.
They are not native. They were introduced. But in the two and a half centuries since their arrival, Iceland’s reindeer have adapted completely to the landscape — roaming the eastern highlands in herds of dozens, sometimes hundreds, living entirely without human management, answering to no one and going wherever the season and the grass and the snow direct them.
Seeing them in the wild — particularly a large herd moving across an open valley, or a bull in full autumn antler standing against the skyline — is one of those Iceland experiences that catches you completely off guard. You came for the glaciers. You did not expect this.
At Ice Paradise Tours, East Iceland is a region we love deeply and recommend strongly to travellers who want to go beyond the famous South Coast. The reindeer are one of the finest reasons to go there.
How Reindeer Came to Iceland
Reindeer are not part of Iceland’s original wildlife. When the Norse settlers arrived in the 9th century, they found a land without land mammals apart from the Arctic fox — every other terrestrial animal on the island today arrived either with humans or after human settlement.
Reindeer were introduced to Iceland from Norway between 1771 and 1787, brought over in several shipments by Danish authorities who hoped they would provide a sustainable source of meat and hides for the rural population of the east. Four separate herds were established in different parts of the country — in the East, the West, the North-West, and on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
The experiment had mixed results. The western and northern herds eventually died out or were hunted to extinction. The Snæfellsnes herd disappeared entirely. Only the eastern herd survived — and survived so successfully that it has grown into the thriving wild population that roams East Iceland today. The current population is estimated at between 3,000 and 7,000 animals, depending on the season and management conditions.
Today the reindeer of East Iceland are the only wild reindeer in the country, and they are managed carefully — with annual culling permits issued to prevent overgrazing of the fragile highland vegetation. They are genuinely wild animals: not farmed, not penned, not fed by humans. They live entirely on their own terms in one of Iceland’s most remote landscapes.
Where to See Reindeer in East Iceland
Reindeer in Iceland are wild and unpredictable — they are not at a fixed location waiting to be photographed. But there are regions, routes, and landscapes where sightings are significantly more likely, and knowing where to look dramatically improves your chances.
The Snæfell Wilderness Area and Lónsöræfi
The highland wilderness surrounding Snæfell — the tallest free-standing mountain in Iceland at 1,833 metres — is the heartland of the eastern reindeer population. This vast, remote area in the interior of East Iceland is one of the last true wildernesses in Europe: no roads, no towns, no infrastructure beyond a handful of mountain huts. The reindeer here are rarely disturbed by humans and are consequently more relaxed and easier to approach quietly than animals closer to the Ring Road.
The Lónsöræfi nature reserve, on the southern edge of this wilderness, is one of Iceland’s most dramatically colourful landscapes — an ancient eroded volcano whose interior has been exposed in swirls of red, orange, and purple rock. Reindeer are commonly seen in the valleys and on the hillsides here, particularly in autumn when they move to lower ground ahead of the first snowfall.
The Eastfjords — Along the Ring Road and Beyond
The fjords and valleys of East Iceland — particularly the area between Djúpivogur in the south and Egilsstaðir in the north — offer some of the most accessible reindeer spotting opportunities. The animals move down from the highland interior to the lower valleys in autumn and early winter, and during this period they are often visible from the Ring Road and from the smaller roads threading through the fjords.
The road between Breiðdalsvík and Egilsstaðir passes through particularly good reindeer country. Drive slowly, scan the hillsides above the road, and stop at any elevated viewpoints — reindeer are more often spotted by patient observers scanning from a distance than by those rushing between stops.
Egilsstaðir and the Fljótsdalur Valley
Egilsstaðir is the largest town in East Iceland and the natural base for reindeer spotting. The Fljótsdalur valley stretching inland from the town toward the highland interior is one of the most productive areas for sightings, particularly in late autumn and winter when herds descend from the uplands. Local guesthouses and tour operators in Egilsstaðir are the best source of current information on where herds have been spotted recently — this knowledge changes week to week and is far more reliable than any fixed map.
Héraðsflói Bay Area — Winter Lowlands
In the depths of winter, when snow covers the highland pastures, reindeer move to the lowest ground — sometimes descending to the coastal lowlands around Héraðsflói Bay between Egilsstaðir and the north-east coast. Sightings of reindeer in snow-covered lowland fields, sometimes quite close to the road, are most common here in January and February. It is the most unexpected and photogenic version of the encounter — wild reindeer in a winter landscape that looks straight out of a fairy tale.
When to See Reindeer — The Seasonal Guide
Reindeer can be seen in East Iceland year-round, but their location and behaviour changes dramatically with the seasons. Understanding their seasonal movements significantly improves your chances of a sighting.
Spring (April to May) — Calving Season
Spring is calving season, when females give birth in the highland interior away from disturbance. The herds are in the uplands, which can make them harder to spot from accessible roads. However, the snowmelt reveals lush new vegetation and the animals are active and feeding — patient observers with binoculars scanning hillsides from elevated viewpoints have good chances of sightings. Do not approach calving animals. Keep your distance and observe quietly.
Summer (June to August) — Highland Wanderers
In summer, the reindeer range widely across the highland interior, following the best grazing. They are most likely to be seen by hikers on the Snæfell to Lónsöræfi route or by travellers on highland F-roads with a 4WD. Encounters in summer have a different quality to winter sightings — the animals are in their full coats, calves are visible alongside their mothers, and the highland landscapes they inhabit in July and August are at their most green and open. Bulls begin growing their winter antlers and are particularly impressive by late August.
Autumn (September to November) — The Best Season
Autumn is the finest season for reindeer spotting in Iceland, and this is the time we most often recommend to guests who specifically want to see them. The bulls are in full antler — magnificent, heavy-crowned animals that look like something from a nature documentary. The rutting season in September and October brings males together in ways that make them more visible and more active. The herds begin moving to lower ground as snow arrives in the highlands, increasing sightings from roads and viewpoints. The autumn colours of the East Iceland landscape — birch trees turning gold and amber — make the visual backdrop for any encounter extraordinary.
Winter (December to March) — Snow Country
Winter reindeer sightings in East Iceland have a quality unlike any other season. The animals descend to the lowest ground, sometimes appearing in snowy fields beside the road or near coastal areas in a landscape of white and grey. A herd of reindeer moving through snow, with the dark mountains of the Eastfjords behind them, is one of Iceland’s most cinematic wildlife images. Winter also means the possibility of combining reindeer spotting with Northern Lights viewing — both in the same evening is not unheard of in East Iceland in January.
Tips for Spotting Reindeer in the Wild
Bring binoculars: This is the single most useful piece of equipment for reindeer spotting. Reindeer are often visible at considerable distance before they can be seen with the naked eye — particularly on open hillsides and highland ridges. A decent pair of binoculars transforms the experience.
Scan the hillsides, not the road: Reindeer in Iceland typically graze on open hillsides and mountain slopes rather than on the road itself. Train yourself to look up and across the landscape rather than just along the road ahead. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times to scan.
Drive slowly through reindeer country: Reindeer can and do cross the road in East Iceland, particularly in autumn and winter when they are moving between grazing areas. Drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely. A collision with a reindeer is dangerous for both the animal and the vehicle occupants.
Ask locally: The most reliable real-time information on reindeer whereabouts comes from local farmers, guesthouse owners, and tour operators in East Iceland. They know where herds have been seen recently, which valleys are currently productive, and where the animals move at different times of year. Ask every evening at your accommodation.
Keep your distance: Wild reindeer are not domesticated and should not be approached closely. Particularly during calving season in spring and rutting season in autumn, disturbing the animals causes genuine stress and can separate calves from mothers. Observe from a respectful distance, use binoculars and a zoom lens, and let the animals continue undisturbed.
Early mornings and evenings: Like most wildlife, reindeer are most active in the early morning and in the hour or two before dusk. Planning your driving through reindeer country to coincide with these windows significantly improves sighting chances.
Patience pays: Reindeer spotting in Iceland is wildlife watching, not a guaranteed attraction. Some visitors see large herds from the road within an hour of arriving in East Iceland. Others spend several days without a sighting. Approach it with patience and openness — and the encounter, when it comes, will be all the more memorable for it.
East Iceland Beyond the Reindeer
East Iceland is one of the country’s most undervisited and most rewarding regions — and the reindeer are just one of the reasons to spend time here. While you are in the east, these are the experiences we most recommend:
Seyðisfjörður: A fjord-end artists’ town of coloured wooden houses, a remarkable sound sculpture on the hillside above, and one of the most dramatic approach roads in Iceland. A must-stop in the east.
Petra’s Stone Collection, Stöðvarfjörður: A private garden of extraordinary minerals and rocks collected over a lifetime by local farmer Petra Sveinsdóttir. One of the most surprisingly wonderful stops on the entire Ring Road.
Lónsöræfi Nature Reserve: Colourful volcanic geology, excellent hiking, and prime reindeer country. One of Iceland’s most beautiful and least-visited protected areas.
Egilsstaðir and Lagarfljót Lake: The main town of the east and the forested shores of Iceland’s longest lake — home, according to local legend, to the Lagarfljótsormur, Iceland’s own lake monster.
The Eastfjords drive: The Ring Road through the Eastfjords is one of the most scenically beautiful stretches of road in Iceland — winding through narrow fjords, past fishing villages, over mountain passes, and alongside the kind of wild coastline that makes you pull over every few kilometres.
Djúpivogur — The Granite Eggs: On the shore just outside Djúpivogur, 34 oversized granite egg sculptures represent the bird species that nest in the area. A charming and overlooked outdoor art installation in one of the east’s most pleasant small towns.
Quick Reference
Where are Iceland’s reindeer found?: East Iceland only — the highlands, fjords, and valleys between Höfn and the north-east coast
How many reindeer are there?: Estimated 3,000 to 7,000 — a managed wild population
Best season for spotting: Autumn (September to November) — full antlers, rutting season, moving to lower ground
Best location from the Ring Road: The road between Djúpivogur and Egilsstaðir through the Eastfjords
Best base for reindeer spotting: Egilsstaðir — local knowledge is invaluable
Are they dangerous?: No, but do not approach closely. Keep a respectful distance at all times.
Can I hike to find them?: Yes — the Snæfell to Lónsöræfi hiking route passes through prime reindeer habitat in summer
Are there guided reindeer tours?: Local operators in East Iceland offer wildlife-focused tours — ask Iceland Paradise Tours for recommendations
The East Is Worth the Journey
East Iceland is the region that most consistently surprises our guests. They arrive expecting a quieter, less dramatic version of the South Coast. They leave having experienced something that feels more genuinely wild — less curated, less crowded, and more deeply connected to the raw character of the country.
The reindeer are part of that wildness. They were not put there for visitors. They arrived as an 18th-century experiment and stayed because the land suited them. They answer to nothing and no one. Finding them — a herd on a hillside, a bull in the autumn light, a group of animals crossing a snowy valley floor — feels earned in a way that a zoo or a farm visit never could.
At Iceland Paradise Tours, we love taking guests to East Iceland and letting it do what it always does: exceed every expectation they arrived with.
Go east. Slow down. Scan the hillsides. They are out there.