Multi day hiking trip from Borgarfjörður Eystri in East Iceland.
Trip difficulty: 3 of 5 possible. Moderate.
On this costal trekking tour we enjoy the hospitality of the locals, their extensive knowledge of the area and its
interesting culture. We stay at Álfheimar Mountain Inn, a newly built local hotel and dine on fresh locally produced
food. After a good day in the mountains enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the local spa called Musterið, with its
steaming hot tub and sauna.
The Borgarfjörður area is surrounded by colourful mountains that meet the ocean creating deep fjords littered
with secluded alcoves along the magnificent coastline. Amongst Icelanders the vicinity of Borgarfjörður is known
for its great natural beauty and incredible hiking routes but is still untouched by mass-tourism. Bird watching is
a frequent pastime on our routes, and sidetracks will take us to deserted inlets that tell us the story of the past,
before the existence of mobile phones and internet. This isolated region not only provides peace and quiet but is
also considered to be a central province of the elves. In the Álfaborg fortress (Elf-hill) their queen has long resided,
governing and watching over her realm.
After our treks in the east we will cross over to the highlands and visit the powerful Dettifoss waterfall and the
incredible lake Mývatn. We will experience the steaming lava field of Leirhnjúkur and end up in the Geothermal
Nature Bath in Mývatn before we drive back to the airport in Egilsstaðir.
Your visit to Borgarfjörður and Mývatn is not soon forgotten; the amazing views, the deep fjords, the mystic elves,
the lava fields, the breathtaking Mývatn lake, the picturesque fishing village and its surrounding farms will stay
with you for years to come. Make sure you don’t forget your camera
You can add one of our great value multi adventure tours to your trekking for an unbeatable Iceland vacation. Click the icons for more.
Rough itinerary:
Day 1: Morning flight from Reykjavik to Egilsstaðir, a drive to Borgarfjörður and a hiking tour
Day 2 to day 5: Hiking in the Borgarfjöður Eystri area.
Day 6: Sightseeing in the Mývatn area. Evening flight from Egilstaðir to Reykjavík.
Local culture and knowledge:
Along the way we will enjoy the hospitality of local people through their services, their knowledge of the area and its culture and their fresh food at their local restaurants. Bird watching is a frequent pastime on our routes, and sidetracks will take us to deserted inlets that tell us the story of a past far removed from mobile phone contacts.
Difficulty of the hikes:
The walks are easy to moderate, so that anyone able to go for 3-4 hours Brisk walk can join the tour. On the other hand we recommend that you exercise during at least the week or two before your tour, for example by taking brisk walks of 1-2 hours, 3-4 times per week. Please read the following brief description of the daily program.
Disclaimer:
All hiking trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to there own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherit risk.
You can upgrade to single supplement.
Guaranteed departures:
Guaranteed departure dates on the following Sundays 2013:
-2nd June. Available. Special Offer 185.990 ISK.
-9th June. Available. Special Offer 185.990 ISK.
-16th June. Available. Special Offer 185.990 ISK.
-23rd June. Available. Special Offer 185.990 ISK.
-30th June. Available. Special Offer 185.990 ISK.
-7th July. Available.
-14th July. Available.
-21st July. Available.
-28th July. Available.
-4th August. Available.
-11th August. Available.
-18th August. Available. Special Offer 185.990 ISK.
-25th August. Available. Special Offer 185.990 ISK.
-1st September. Available. Special Offer 185.990 ISK.
-8th September. Available. Special Offer 185.990 ISK.
-15th September. Available. Special Offer 185.990 ISK.
All departures with an English speaking guide.
*Please contact us to book the special offers in the shoulder season.
Accommodation in a twin/double room with toilet facilities, free WIFI át Álfheimar, all meals for 6 days (except breakfast and lunch on day 1 and dinner on day 6), museum admissions and all transport.
Outdoor clothing (warm, wind and waterproof) and solid waterproof hiking boots with ankle support.
See gearlist.
NOTE: Once you book this trip you will recieve a detailed equipment list via e-mail.
6 days, 5 nights, 5 days hiking.
12 years.
1 person.
12 persons per guide.
650 km / 404 miles.
Disclaimer:
All hiking trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to there own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherit risk.
Day-by-day program:
Day 1: Sunday
A flight from Reykjavík to Egilsstaðir in the morning. One hour drive to Borgarfjörður to our locally owned Elf guesthouse where we will stay next 6 nights. A hike in the afternoon.
Brúnavík Bay
Info: walking about 16 km and traversing 700 m of elevation.
We start the day after transport to the environmentally friendly harbour of Borgarfjörður, Hafnarhólmi, to visit the puffins and other birds nesting there. Next we hike up from the coast through vegetated mountain screes to Brúnavík pass, at 345 m, and down to Brúnavík inlet. There we visit another beach of black sand, with lots of beautiful stones lying on it, and listen to the waves. After taking our shoes off to ford the small stream, we enjoy a relaxing barefooted walk to the other end of the beach. On our way back we hike over Hofstrandarskarð pass, 321 m high, and walk beside Helgárgil colourful canyon towards Bakkagerði village.
Day 2: Monday
Stapavík to Njarðvík
Info: Hike around 11 km, traverses 415 m.
We 15 minutes drive from Borgarfjörður and stop at Unaós farm. We hike along Selfljót river to the seashore and to the Stapavík cove, a former unloading place for ships. From Stapavík we take a rather easy hike along Gönguskörð pass largely along an old riding trail. This was the main route between Borgarfjörður and Fljótsdalshérað valley for 1000 years, until the road over Vatnskarð pass was finished in 1955. Pick up at Njarðavík farm and drive to Borgarfjörður.
Day 3: Tuesday
Beauties of Breiðavík
Info: Easy hike of about 18 km. Traverses 400 m of elevation.
Transport to Afrétt and then an easy hike over moors and gravelly ground, including the light brown rhyolite around Urðarhólavatn, and farther on to Gæsavötn and Víknaheiði, before reaching Breiðavík inlet. The rhyolite mountains along the way display an incredible range of pastel colours. After a short stop on the black sands of Breiðavík beach with its Siberian driftwood, we hike up to Gagnheiði ridge (479 m), which has a viewpoint indicator and fabulous panorama. Then it is back to Bakkagerði after an eventful day with wide views over many of the area's amazing mountains.
Day 4: Wednesday
Borgarfjörður valley
Info: Rather easy day, walking about 12 km and traversing 400 m of elevation.
We start the day with 3 hours hike in the village, Old turf house, concert hall, local fish factory, from rock to art, and many interesting stops are on our way. After a light lunch we hike on unmarked trails in the valley of Borgarfjörður. From the village, we take sheep trails up to Dimmidalur (the Dark Valley) to see its rugged, beautiful landscape, right under the Door Mountains. Not only do we walk on our way through the elf community of Lobbuhraun, but come to their home in Dimmidalur valley. When we return to Bakkagerði village, we walk through it, noticing its many interesting aspects and of course also visiting the queen of the elves at Álfaborg (Elf Hill).
Day 5: Thursday
East Iceland’s best-kept secret... Stórurð (Boulder Hollow)
Info: A somewhat difficult hike because of gravelly areas and screes on about 15% on the way. Around 16 km. Traverses 500 m of elevation.
From Vatnskarð pass (431 m), we start the day's hike by going up and crossing the mountain Geldingafjall (640 m), then continuing inland west of Súlur peaks. There are excellent views over Njarðvík, Fljótsdalshérað valley, the black sandy beach of Héraðsflói bay and perhaps even to Vatnajökull glacier and Mt. Snæfell in the eastern part of the central highlands. We then go down into Stórurð, an expanse of enormous rocks intersected by a small river. Calm turquoise-coloured basins of icy water lie hidden among the huge boulders, often with flat banks of short, tender, green grass. Returning from this mysterious place, we can opt either for the hike along the Dyrfjöll (Door Mountains) or the easy way down the valley below Rjúpnafell peak.
Day 6: Friday
Mývatn and Icelandic nature treasures.
Info: Driving about 5 hours, Easy hike.
After a good breakfast we will say good-bye to the peaceful Borgarfjörður and the local people. We drive towards Mývatn area and on our way we will stop at a newly rebuild turf farm in the highland Sænautasel. After a visit and refreshment we go further to Möðrudalur farm in the open space of eastern highland. Before we reach lake Mývatn we will hike in the smoking lava of Leirhnjúkur last active 30 years ago. From Leirhnjúkur we drive to the Hverir area with bubbling mud and smoking steam. We go over to the Mývatn Lake and enjoy their local food and visit their geothermal nature bath. In the afternoon we will drive back to Egilsstaðir village where we´ll catch an evening flight to Reykjavík
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here for some general frequently asked questions. If you have questions about this trip please contact info@adventures.is or trekking@adventures.is