The Myth and Magical Mountains
Minimum 1 and maximum 12 participants.
Age limit: 12 years.
Guaranty Departures:
Starts from Egilsstaðir Saturday morning the 12th, 19th and 26th of May 2nd, 9th and 16th of June, 6th of July, 11th and 18th of August and 1st , 15th and 22nd of September. The late tours in September could include Northern light show…
Trip difficulty: 3 of 5 possible
Day to Day program
Day 1 Local Village and Dimmidalur Hike
Arrival from Reykjavík to Egilsstaðir airport morning flight. One hour drive together to Borgarfjörður to our locally owned Álfheimar Country Hotel where we will stay next 5 nights.
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) and Jökuldalur (Glacier Valley) to see their 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 2 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 3 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.
Pick up and drive to Borgarfjörður. Evening flight from Egilsstaðir.