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.

Departure Dates:

*04.07 - 08.07.2012 - Confirmed departure!
11.07 - 15.07.2012 - Confirmed departure!
*18.07 - 22.07.2012 - Confirmed departure!
*01.08 - 05.08.2012
08.08 - 12.08.2012

*These departures will be offered with German and English speaking guide.

Trekking: 5 days
Walking per day: 5-8 hours
Total walking distance: 75 km. (45 miles)
Altitude: 20-800 m. (65-2625 feet)
Ascent: Maximum 600 m. (1970 feet)

Groups: 6 to 16 participant.

Equipment List

Included: Guide for 5 days, transportation in the Eastern Fjords, food for 5 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 5), sleeping bag accommodation (hostel and mountain huts), cooking gear and transfer of luggage (domestic flights between Reykjavík and Egilsstaðir are optional).

Meeting Point: The tour starts at Egilsstaðir airport and ends at the domestic airport in Egilsstaðir (or begins and ends at the airport in Reykjavík for option with domestic flights).Pick up from hotel or guest house in Reykjavík can be added for an extra fee.

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

Price with domestic flights: 147.000 ISK

Available upon request: Four-star accommodation in Reykjavík - please contact us for more information.

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Package price for accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour, with pick up and drop off at the beginning/end of the tour:

In a guesthouse with shared facilities:

Based on double occupancy: 20.000 ISK per person (for persons traveling together, both persons have to purchase this item for it to be valid).

Single room: 28.500 ISK.

In a three-star hotel with breakfast and a private bathroom:

Based on double occupancy: 29.000 ISK per person (for persons traveling together, both persons have to purchase this item for it to be valid).

Single room: 46.500 ISK

You can also only add the pick up and drop off at your accommodation in Reykjavík at the beginning/end of the tour for 4.000 ISK.

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 20^th 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')

Departure Date	Availability
04. Jul 2012	Confirmed departure
11. Jul 2012	Confirmed departure
18. Jul 2012	Confirmed departure
01. Aug 2012	Available
08. Aug 2012	Available