Day 1: Reykjavík
– Egilsstaðir – Borgarfjörður Eystri
Meet the guide at the domestic
airport in Reykjavik for an early morning flight to Egilsstaðir, or join the group at Egilstaðir, and 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, below stunning cliffs, before heading down towards the little
village of Borgarfjörður. 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. Once we get
down to the main road we get onto the bus that takes us back to Egilsstaðir
where we arrive in time for the late afternoon flight to Reykjavík. The tour
ends at the domestic airport in Reykjavík.
Distance: 15km (9mi) Walking time: 5-7 hrs Ascent/Descent: 600m (1970')/600m (1970')