3 Day Tour – Myths and Magical Mountains

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 2 nights. Hike Borgarfjörður valley Info: Rather easy day, walking about 12 km and traversing 400 m of elevation. We start the day with 2 hours local living hike in the village, Old turf house, “concert hall”, a local fish factory, elf capital “álfaborg”, and many interesting stops are on our way. After a light lunch at local restaurant, we hike on unmarked trails in the valley of Borgarfjörður. From the village, we take sheep trails up to Dimmidalur (the Dark Valley) to see their rugged, beautiful landscape, right under the Door Mountains. We return to Bakkagerði village for a nice evening dinner at Álfheimar restaurant.

Brúnavík Bay Info: walking about 16 km and traversing 700 m of elevation. After a nice Breakfast buffet where we can make lunch package for the day hike, we start the day with a transport to the environmentally friendly fishing harbor 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 the friendly 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 colorful canyon towards Bakkagerði village. Visit the local SPA with jacuzzi, Sauna, and Hot Tubs before evening dinner buffet in Álfheimar.

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. After Early Breakfast and 15 min. transport to 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 huge rocks intersected by a small river. Calm turquoise-colored basins of icy water lie hidden among the huge boulders, often with low 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 road 94 in Njarðvík. We drive home to Álfheimar to take a good shower and packing our thinks before transport to the Egilsstaðir Airport.