Day 1: Sunday

A flight from Reykjavík to Egilsstaðir in the morning. One hour drive to Borgarfjörður to our locally owned Elf guesthouse where we will stay next 6 nights. A hike in the afternoon. Brúnavík Bay

Info: walking about 16 km and traversing 700 m of elevation.

We start the day after transport to the environmentally friendly harbour 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 another 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 colourful canyon towards Bakkagerði village.

Day 2: Monday

Stapavík to Njarðvík

Info: Hike around 11 km, traverses 415 m.

We 15 minutes drive from Borgarfjörður and stop at Unaós farm. We hike along Selfljót river to the seashore and to the Stapavík cove, a former unloading place for ships. From Stapavík we take a rather easy hike along Gönguskörð pass largely along an old riding trail. This was the main route between Borgarfjörður and Fljótsdalshérað valley for 1000 years, until the road over Vatnskarð pass was finished in 1955. Pick up at Njarðavík farm and drive to Borgarfjörður.

Day 3: Tuesday

Beauties of Breiðavík

Info: Easy hike of about 18 km. Traverses 400 m of elevation.

Transport to Afrétt and then an easy hike over moors and gravelly ground, including the light brown rhyolite around Urðarhólavatn, and farther on to Gæsavötn and Víknaheiði, before reaching Breiðavík inlet. The rhyolite mountains along the way display an incredible range of pastel colours. After a short stop on the black sands of Breiðavík beach with its Siberian driftwood, we hike up to Gagnheiði ridge (479 m), which has a viewpoint indicator and fabulous panorama. Then it is back to Bakkagerði after an eventful day with wide views over many of the area's amazing mountains.

Day 4: Wednesday

Borgarfjörður valley

Info: Rather easy day, walking about 12 km and traversing 400 m of elevation.

We start the day with 3 hours hike in the village, Old turf house, concert hall, local fish factory, from rock to art, and many interesting stops are on our way. After a light lunch 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 its rugged, beautiful landscape, right under the Door Mountains. Not only do we walk on our way through the elf community of Lobbuhraun, but come to their home in Dimmidalur valley. When we return to Bakkagerði village, we walk through it, noticing its many interesting aspects and of course also visiting the queen of the elves at Álfaborg (Elf Hill).

Day 5: Thursday

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.

From 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 enormous rocks intersected by a small river. Calm turquoise-coloured basins of icy water lie hidden among the huge boulders, often with flat 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 valley below Rjúpnafell peak.

Day 6: Friday

Mývatn and Icelandic nature treasures.

Info: Driving about 5 hours, Easy hike.

After a good breakfast we will say good-bye to the peaceful Borgarfjörður and the local people. We drive towards Mývatn area and on our way we will stop at a newly rebuild turf farm in the highland Sænautasel. After a visit and refreshment we go further to Möðrudalur farm in the open space of eastern highland. Before we reach lake Mývatn we will hike in the smoking lava of Leirhnjúkur last active 30 years ago. From Leirhnjúkur we drive to the Hverir area with bubbling mud and smoking steam. We go over to the Mývatn Lake and enjoy their local food and visit their geothermal nature bath. In the afternoon we will drive back to Egilsstaðir village where we´ll catch an evening flight to Reykjavík

Hinnasto

Lähdöt: 7.7., 14.7., 21.7., 28.7. ja 4.8.2013

Hinta: 1310 €

1-hengen huone lisä: 267 €

Matkaan sisältyy:

· Lennot Reykjavikista Egilsstadiriin ja takaisin,

· Majoituksen 2 hengen huoneessa (huoneissa suihku ja wc)

· Täysihoidon

· Sisäänpääsyt museoihin

· Opastuksen ja kuljetukset kohteessa

Ikäraja: 12 vuotta.

Ryhmät: max. 12 hlö

Lisätietoa: Retken aikana pääset nauttimaan paikallisten asukkaiden vieraanvaraisuudesta. Pääset tutustumaan alueen kulttuuriin ja maistamaan tuoretta islantilaista ruokaa. Lintujen tarkkailu on reiteillämme suosittua puuhaa. Vaellusmatka sopii kaikille hyvässä yleiskunnossa oleville. Osallistujien pitää pystyä kävelemään 3-4 tuntia päivittäin reippaassa tahdissa.

Ota mukaasi lämpimät, tuulen- ja vedenpitävät ulkoiluvaatteet ja vedenpitävät vaelluskengät.

Jos haluat yöpyä Reykjavikissa ennen retkeä tai sen jälkeen, autamme mielellämme majoituksen varauksessa! Tarkista varustelistasta mitä tarvitset retkelle mukaan!