Trapped (Ófærð) Filming Locations in Iceland

Trapped (Ófærð) is an acclaimed Icelandic mystery drama created by Baltasar Kormákur and produced by RVK Studios. First shown in Iceland in 2015, the series brings a murder investigation to a snowbound coastal community, using Iceland’s weather, mountains and remote fjords as an essential part of the story.

The show quickly found an international audience. Its tense atmosphere, strong ensemble cast and unmistakable Icelandic setting helped introduce many viewers to the country’s dramatic winter landscapes. For visitors, Trapped is also a compelling way to see how real places—from a former herring town in North Iceland to the colourful Eastfjords—can become cinematic locations.

Season two premiered on RÚV on 26 December 2018 and reunited viewers with Chief of Police Andri Ólafsson, played by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, alongside Hinrika (Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir) and Ásgeir (Ingvar E. Sigurðsson). This time, the investigation opens with an even more intricate case, while the severe conditions and close-knit communities remain central to the drama.

Filming locations of Trapped

Siglufjörður

Much of Trapped was filmed in Siglufjörður, a striking fishing town at the end of a narrow fjord in North Iceland. The steep mountains that frame the town create the enclosed, wintry feeling seen throughout the series. Before the road tunnels to Ólafsfjörður were built, Siglufjörður could be difficult to reach in bad weather; during the first season’s production, heavy snow reportedly left parts of the cast and crew temporarily snowbound. Today, the tunnels make the town much easier to visit, while its dramatic setting remains just as memorable.

Seyðisfjörður

Several outdoor scenes were shot in the Eastfjords, including Seyðisfjörður. Set at the head of a long fjord, the town is known for its colourful wooden houses, surrounding waterfalls and steep mountainsides. It is a wonderfully atmospheric stop for travellers exploring East Iceland and has also appeared in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The journey there is part of the experience, especially when driving the mountain road into the fjord in clear conditions.

Reykjavík

Reykjavík was also used for selected scenes. Iceland’s capital offers a useful contrast to the series’ remote locations: it is compact, walkable and full of museums, design shops, restaurants, cafés and nightlife. As the country’s main arrival point, Reykjavík is an easy place to begin a Trapped-inspired itinerary before travelling north to Siglufjörður or east to Seyðisfjörður.