Hiking & Trekking

Víknaslóðir Trail

Surround yourself with Iceland’s remote wilderness and untouched scenery. A truly unique experience in amazing landscape.

Tour code: IMG34

Víknaslóðir Trail

Hiking at the End of the World

Hiking through the magnificent landscapes of mountains and small bays of the East is an unforgettable experience. The unique Eastern mountains come in all shapes and sizes and they come in a variety of impressionistic colors;  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 soothing waves of the North Atlantic Ocean. This combination of mountains and ocean is what makes this trek a unique experience. 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.

See Viknaslodir hike video.

Tour Overview

  • Meeting point

    Reykjavik domestic airport at 6:45 or Egilsstaðir airport at 8:30

  • Group size

    6 - 16 participants

  • Language

    English

  • Accommodation

    Mountain hut and hostel

  • Walkin per day

    5 - 8 hrs

  • Total Distance

    75 km (45 mi)

  • Max Ascent

    600 m (1900 ft)

  • Difficulty

    Challenging

    Difficulty

    Suites those that are physically active and have some background in basic traveling in mountainous terrain with a backpack. 6-7 hrs walks per day.

  • Availability

    Jul - Aug

  • Duration

    5 days

  • 16

    Minimum age:

    16 yrs

Contact Us

For availability information on a tour, please contact us using the form below.

Primary passenger information

Tour information

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Tour Highlights

Included

  • Experienced and qualified guide
  • Mountain hut and hostel sleeping bag accommodation in dormitories
  • Ground transport at the beginning and end of trek
  • Breakfast (4), Lunch (5), Dinner (4)
  • Transfer of luggage

Not Included

  • Sleeping bag
  • Showers in huts (payable on site)
  • Flight (Reykjavík - Egilsstaðir/Egilsstaðir - Reykjavík)

Optional Extras

  • Sleeping bag
  • Accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour
  • Flight (Reykjavík - Egilsstaðir/Egilsstaðir - Reykjavík)

Tour Map and Itinerary

Click map for detailed itinerary

Víknaslóðir Trail

MAP & ITINERARY

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: 18 km (11 mi)
Walking time: 6 - 8 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 600 m (1970 ft) / 800 m (2625 ft)

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: 14 km (9 mi)
Walking time: 7 - 9 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 400 m  (1315 ft) / 400 m (1315 ft)

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: 13 km (8 mi)
Walking time: 5 - 7 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 550 m (1800 ft) / 500 m (1640 ft)

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: 15 km (9 mi)
Walking time: 5 - 7 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 600 m (1970 ft) / 600 m (1970 ft)

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. After arriving in Seyðisfjörður we get on to a bus that takes us back to Egilsstaðir from where we take a flight back to Reykjavík (optional extra).
Distance: 15 km (9 mi)
Walking time: 5 - 7 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 600 m (1970 ft) / 600 m (1970 ft)

Please note

  • If conditions are difficult we may take a different hiking route along the coastline by Unaós - Stapavík - Njarðvík.

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
Click to activate the map

Practical Information

You can shower in the huts that have showers available, some huts do not have any shower facilities. Where showers are available there is a small fee to use them.

 

Some huts have flushable toilets others have outhouses.  

There will be running cold water in all the huts. You will need to heat water to get hot water.

The mountain huts have no private rooms available, all rooms are dormitories.

No, the huts have a fully equipped kitchen.

We recommend bringing a power bank to charge your electronic devices. The huts do not have electricity. There is a slight chance the wardens will be able to charge for you for a fee of ISK 500. 

Vegan meal plan can be ordered upon booking the tour for a small additional fee. We don't offer gluten free supplements so we advice participants to bring their own gluten free items if needed. 

If a date is not available it either fully booked or not offered on that date. You are welcome to contact us for a private tour if you cannot join on an available date. Please email [email protected] to request a private tour.

You can find all our terms of payments for day or multi-day tours here.