Hiking at the End of the World – IMG34

Highlights of the Tour

• Remote and isolated fjords
• Black beaches
• Colorful rhyolite mountains
• Comfortable huts

Deserted Farmlands of the North Eastern Inlets

Hiking through the magnificent landscapes of mountains and small bays of the North East is a unique experience. The mountains come in all shapes and sizes and the variety of colors is stunning; everything from the black sands of the beaches to the pinkish orange hues of the mountain ridges. The closeness to the ocean sets its mark on this tour. Each day we follow old trails between isolated coves and fjords over colorful hills and down green valleys to the sea and the drone of the North Atlantic Ocean. This combination of mountains and ocean is what makes this trek a unique one; another advantage is the milder climate that can be expected at this low altitude. The area remained populated until the early seventies and abandoned farms and ancient farmsteads set their mark on the surroundings, however, sheep may be the only living thing connecting us to those former times. Accommodation in well equipped and comfortable huts.

Total walking distance: 75 km. (45 miles)
Altitude: 20-800 m. (65-2625 feet)
Ascent: Maximum 600 m. (1970 feet)
Minimum age: 16 years

Included: Experienced and qualified guide for 5 days, transport from Egilsstaðir airport to the starting point of trek and back, dormitory accommodation in mountain huts and hostel, food from lunch day 1 to lunch day 5, and transfer of luggage

• This tour starts and ends in Egilsstaðir. Domestic flights from and to Reykjavik can be added.
• All  the huts are heated, some have electricity and some have hot water. They have dormitories with single and twin bunkbeds and/or mattresses and participants must be prepared to share a bunk with other travelers from the group.
• Accommodation in Reykjavik and pick up and drop off at accommodation can be added.
• Sleeping bag can be rented for 7000 ISK

Language: We propose English/French speaking guide on June 28th, July 12th, 26th, August 9th and 23th. We propose English/German speaking guide on July 19th and August 16th. Please let us know if you require French or German speaking guide on these departures.

This trek can be linked with the lightweight backpacking tour “In the Shadow of Vatnajökull IMG49”

Equipment List

Note: Worried about your environmental footprint? Through our Environmental Fund, you are helping to preserve the beautiful Icelandic nature along this trail.

Day 1: Reykjavík – Egilsstaðir – Borgarfjörður Eystri
We meet at the domestic airport in Egilsstaðir, at 8:30 where those who came the land way, meet those who come by air from Reykjavík (depart from Reykjavík domestic airport at 7:30).Transfer towards Borgarfjörður Eystri, about 90 km (56 mi). Shortly before starting the climb over the pass to Borgarfjörður we get off the bus and start the day´s hike. The path leads to Stórurð*, a little oasis hidden below the magnificent Dyrfjöll mountain range. There in amazing scenery will be the setting for our lunch. We then continue our hike and make our way up along the northern side of the mountains, towards Njarðvík where we will be picked up for a short transfer to the little village of Bakkagerði. After dinner it is ideal to wander around this little village.
Distance: 18km (11mi)                       Walking time: 6-8 hrs                     Ascent/Descent: 600m (1970′)/800m (2625′)

Day 2: Borgarfjörður Eystri – Brúnavík – Breiðavík
Today the path leads us over a pass and down into the inlet of Brúnavík. Here we can enjoy the waves of the North Atlantic for a while before heading up into the valley and over the magnificent pass of Súluskarð where the colors of the adjacent hills and mountaintops provide a colorful feast for the eyes. From Súluskarð we head down into Kjólsvík inlet and from there over the low pass of Kjólsvíkurvarp down into Breiðavík inlet, the biggest one of these deserted inlets.
Distance: 14km (9mi)                         Walking time: 7-9 hrs                     Ascent/Descent: 400m  (1315′)/400m (1315′)

Day 3: Breiðavík – Húsavík
We leave the colorful valley of Breiðavík and hike over the mountains, our destination the inlet of Húsavík. If weather permits we will climb the mountain Hvítserkur, one of the most amazing and colorful mountains of Iceland before descending into the narrow valley leading to the hut at Húsavík. A delightful evening walk down to the beach, to visit the quaint little church that was in full service until the early seventies is possible after dinner.
Distance: 13km (8mi)                         Walking time: 5-7 hrs                     Ascent/Descent: 550m (1800′)/500m (1640′)

Day 4: Húsavík – Loðmundarfjörður
Today we continue to the valley of Loðmundarfjörður fiord. This impressive valley was home to close to a hundred people at the turn of the 20th century due to rich farmlands and accessible fishing grounds. The surrounding mountains add certain magnificence to the scene and the hike leads us through the massive Loðmundarskriður, formed thousands of years ago when the adjacent mountain literally burst forth. The hut where we spend the night is at the bottom of the fjord close to an old church.
Distance: 15km (9 mi)                        Walking time: 5-7 hrs                        Ascent/Descent: 600m (1970′)/600m (1970′)

Day 5: Loðmundarfjörður – Seyðisfjörður
The last day of our hike takes us along the old path over Hjálmárdalsheiði, which over the centuries used to be the main thoroughfare between the Loðmundarfjörður farmlands and the Seyðisfjörður harbor and trading post. As we ascend, the mountaintops of the southern fiords come into sight and once we get to the pass of Hall, the fiord of Seyðisfjörður is in full view, very different from the fiords and inlets we have left behind. Descending into Seyðisfjörður we enjoy the breathtaking panoramas of this long and narrow fiord surrounded by majestic mountains. Afer Arriving in Seyðisfjörður we get on to a bus that takes us back to Egilsstaðir from where we take a flight back to Reykjavík.
Distance: 15km (9mi)                         Walking time: 5-7 hrs                        Ascent/Descent: 600m (1970′)/600m (1970′)

*If conditions are difficult we may take a different hiking route along the coastline by Una ós- Stapavík – Njarðvík .