Itinerary
In 2005, National Geographic nominated this trek for its list of the 25 most beautiful treks in the world. We tend to agree!
In Northeastern Iceland, the Víknaslódir trail (“Trail of the Deserted Inlets”) extends over an area where coastal mountains plunge abruptly into the sea. This isolated region is considered to be the central province of the elves. Their queen resides in her fortress at Álfaborg (Behind the small wooden Bakkagerdi church in eastern Borgarfjördur Bay). The imposing mountain massif of the area displays the entire color spectrum of rhyolite, an acidic form of lava (If you know Landmannalaugar already, just imagine it softer, surrounded by ocean, with the noise from crashing waves and the cries of thousands of nesting seabirds – a truly stunning location!).
From these blue, pink and ochre colors fortresses of dark rock soar hundreds of feet into the sky. In lush, green valleys, limpid torrents run from peat marshes powdered with the white, fluffy seed heads of cotton grass. The ocean’s color changes with its moods – from the most exotic opal to turquoise to oil-black. Almost systematically when the evening comes a lid of mist descends on the landscape, adding to the mystery of the clear night. Just as methodically, the gleaming morning sun burns through these layers which, after some resistance, escape specter-like through the mountain pass. Down on the riverside, there are beautiful cottages, very comfortable and each equipped with a wood-fuelled stove.
With the exception of a lightweight daypack, all equipment and luggage are transported by a 4×4 support vehicle.
Day 1
(Reykjavik ) Egilstaðir – Loðmundarfjörður
(Reykjavik ) Egilstaðir – LoðmundarfjörðurDomestic flight in the early morning from Reykjavik to Egilsstaðir. Check in 45 minutes before departure. An awesome 60-minutes flight over the Icelandic Highlands to Egilsstaðir in eastern Iceland includes views of Mount Hekla, the Vatnajökull ice cap, and Mount Askja. Rendezvous with your guide at Egilsstaðir domestic Airport. From Egilsstaðir we will drive to the colorful village of Seyðisfjörður, an important fishing village and the arrival harbor of the only ferry connecting Iceland to Europe. A dramatic mountain pass to carry on along the side track to the deserted Loðmundarfjörður fjord.
Trekking: 5-6 hours hiking 300 m elevation gain/loss – Loðmundarfjörður Mountain Hut
Day 2
Loðmundarfjörður
Loðmundarfjörður Wandering in the beautiful fjord which remains for many years one of the most isolated and inaccessible communities in Iceland (it is now uninhabited). There are thousands of nesting eider ducks, as well as seals and reindeers and some wild horses in the vast moorland and swamps on the bottom of the large fjord. If the weather permits, we climb in the rhyolite mountains in the direction to the pass of Kækjuskörð where the view is breath-taking.
Trekking: 5-6 hours hiking – 300-400m elevation gain/loss – Mountain Hut
Day 3
Loðmundarfjörður – Húsavík
Loðmundarfjörður – HúsavíkTo the West, we can admire countless snowy mountain peaks, to the South and to the North the alignment of fjords and coves and to the East the curvature of the ocean. Somewhere at less than 280 miles away are the beautiful Faroe Islands. Of course, we can’t see them, but we nearly feel their presence. At the pass to Húsavík a large cairn is the only telephone connection possible to receive or send messages. (Otherwise, each shelter is equipped with a radio transmitter that connects us to civilization); Down the pass and through moorland we reach to the foot of Mount Hvítserkur one of the most picturesque and bizarre mountains in the country. Hvítserkur consists of bright ignimbrite, fancifully streaked with darker veins. Descent toward Húsavík. The lodge is located on the site of a small, old farm, deserted in the 1950s after centuries of occupation.
Trekking: 5-6 hours hiking – 300 m elevation gain/loss – Mountain Hut
Day 4
Húsavík – Breiðavík
Húsavík – BreiðavíkWe walk up and down toward the beautiful wild bay of Breiðavík. A wonderful place with coastal marsh and black sandy beaches covered with incredible amounts of Siberian driftwood and other treasures of the sea. Curious seals will almost certainly come to observe our evening fire and our strange attitude!
Trekking: 6-7 hours hiking – 400 m elevation gain/loss– Mountain Hut
Day 5
Breiðavík – Brúnavík -Bakkagerði
Breiðavík – Brúnavík -BakkagerðiWe progress across stunningly massive rhyolite mountains displaying an incredible range of all possible ochre and pastel colors from blue to pink. Then we walk, to Borgarfjörður via Brúnavík (“Brown Bay”), At the very foot of the majestic Dyrfjöll Mountain range, we arrive at the small coastal village of Bakkagerði. The rocky hill Álfaborg, right next to Bakkagerði, is the source of the fjord’s name. Acknowledged home to the fairies, it is said to be the dwelling place of their queen in Iceland. We walk to the islet Fagrihóll, the current fishing harbor for the locality. There is a great variety of birds nest here; among common species are the fulmar, kittiwake, eider duck and puffin.
Trekking: 6-7 hours hiking – 400 m elevation gain/loss – B&B Inn
Day 6
rhombie storud – Dyrrfjoll
Dyrfjöll-Storurð
Our trek ends by hiking in the grandiose Dyrfjöll Mountains, whose massive presence dominates the bay of Borgarfjörður. We cross the Vatnaskarð pass, between the faces of the Skeggjaklettur cliff (“Bearded Cliff”) to reach Stórurð (“Big Rocky Ground”), an enormous chaos of large rocks intersected by a calm glacial stream. Between the dark rocks rest calm turquoise-collared basins of icy water surrounded by tender green short grass.
Trekking: 6-8 hours hiking – 500 m elevation gain/loss BB Inn
Day 7
Bakkagerdi – Egilsstaðir (Reykjavik)
Bakkagerdi – Egilsstaðir (Reykjavik)Early morning departure (8 am), or in the early afternoon. Drive up the plateau to the little town of Egilstaðir where we arrive one hour later. Egilsstadir is located on the bank of the long turquoise lake of Lagarfljót, where the legendary monster Lagarfljótsormurinn, a close cousin of the one in Loch Ness in Scotland, lives. Fly back to Reykjavik, or continue on self-drive post-tour.
Drive: 70 km
Rates in 2019
Price in Icelandic Krona
Exchange rate varies- Does not include the cost for the domestic flight
- If you are traveling alone, choose the single room option at registration for the two nights in the village of Bakkagerdi (single room at the B&B is available at an additional charge).
- Small group surcharge applies:
- 42.000 ISK/pp (ca.+300 €) for a group of 4 participants
- 28.000 ISK/pp (ca.+200€) for a group of 5 participants
The International Airport is located outside of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, in the southwest of the country. It is served by many international airlines, including some discount airlines such as Easyjet from countries all over Europe, Canada, and the United States.
A regular shuttle bus service, which is scheduled to meet each flight, transfers visitors to the city.
This trek requires a domestic flight from Reykjavik to Egilsstadir (60min). Ticket costs can change at any time without prior notice, but on average they are:
- Around 30.000 ISK for Roundtrip flight (approx.240 € > $272)
- Around 15.000 ISK for One-way flight (approx.120 € > $136)
- you can book this flight yourself on Air Iceland Connect, but please pay attention to the departure times:
- Trek departure: Meeting is at 9 am at Egilsstadir airport or at 10 am at Seydisfjordur
Return of trek: Do not book your flight before 9:30 am on the last day of the trip
- Flights to/from Iceland
- Transfers from/to airport
- Accommodation and meals in Reykjavík
- A taxi ride from your hotel to Reykjavik to airport
- Domestic flight
- Showers in the huts
- Sleeping Bag
- Drinks and other personal expenses
- Additional small group surcharge for groups comprising fewer than 6 participants
You’ll need to bring comfortable and adequate clothing to protect you from cold and wet weather, such as polypropylene, Capilene, or pile. Wool and wool/synthetic blends are also suitable – though wool, if wet, dries slowly compared to synthetic fabrics. We discourage the use of cotton in wet conditions it dries very slowly. When camping, tents are provided. You will be responsible for bringing your mattress and sleeping bag.
When layering, the innermost layer should be long underwear. The middle layer can be a synthetic turtleneck or wool shirt, and pants. The outermost layer must be a breathable waterproof jacket such as a good quality Gore-Tex wind/rain parka and over-pants.
For quantities for each item listed, use your own judgment, based on the expected weather conditions and overall packing/weight restrictions for your luggage.
- Regular underwear. Synthetics are easier to wash and dry
- Synthetic thermal underwear
- Long-sleeved, synthetic or wool shirt
- Short-sleeved synthetic or cotton/synthetic T-shirts
- Medium-weight synthetic fleece sweater or jacket
- Full-length pants, quick-drying synthetic fabric
- Down jacket from mid-August to September (optional)
- Hiking shorts, quick-drying synthetic fabric
- Pile/fleece pants, ideal for around the camp
- Sun & rain hat
- Wool hat
- Gloves (wool or pile)
- Waterproofed shell gloves
- Medium weight synthetic socks
- Gore-Tex rain/wind parka
- Gore-Tex rain/wind pants
- Hiking boots, medium-weight, all leather, with padded ankle, good arch support, and a lug sole traction. Your hiking boots should be waterproof, well broken in, and suitable for rocky terrain or possibly snow.
- Comfortables shoes to wear when not hiking (optional) Teva-type sandals for river-crossings. Absolutely recommended! Gaiters.
Travel Accessories
- Comfortable sleeping bag +10°C to –10°C which can be opened all the way
- Cotton sheet for hut’s mattress
- Pillow if you can’t sleep without one (optional)
- Swimsuit and towel for hot spring bathing and swimming pool
- 1-to-2 liters capacity unbreakable water bottle or thermos
- Headlamp or small flashlight with spare batteries (from August only)
- Swiss Army-type pocket knife (Must be kept in a duffle bag, not in hand luggage, when flying !)
- Toiletry kit—soap, toothbrush, and so on.
- Moisturizing Lotion. (The air in Iceland is very dry)
- Sunglasses
- Sunglasses. Highly recommended!
- Spare pair of prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses, or contact lenses (but not only lenses, as wind-blown dust can make them very uncomfortable)
- Sunscreen and lip protection (The sun in Iceland is much more intense than you probably imagine)
- Personal first aid kit
- Netting hood
Optional Travel Accessories
- Hiking poles. Highly recommended
- Binoculars
- Repair kit with needle, thread, and safety pins
- Reading and writing material
- Your favorite snack food such as raisins or chocolate
- Protein supplements for vegetarian
- 1 or 2 good bottles of wine or a bottle of something stronger
This itinerary is run both ways, regular and in reverse order.
- Jul 7 – 13, 2019 (regular)
- Jul 11 – 17, 2019 (reverse)
- Jul 17 – 23, 2019 (regular)
- Jul 21 – 27, 2019 (reverse)
- Aug 4 – 10, 2019 (regular)
- Aug 8 – 14, 2019 (reverse)
- Aug 14 – 20, 2019 (regular)
- Aug 18 – 24, 2019 (reverse)
- Sep 1, – 7, 2019 (regular)
- Sep 5 – 11, 2019 (reverse)