In Iceland we call this hike "Viknasloðir" which means: The path of the coves

6-day journey with a 5-day assisted trekking hut to hut (and hotel)

We have been conducting this beautiful trek for more than 15 years. It has been nominated by the National Geographic Magazine as one of the 25 most beautiful treks in the world!

We have no reason to contradict this classification, but one thing is certain this trek remains for us among our favorite and keeps our heart beating. Another thing is certain: the huts in this region are among the best managed in the country. Running clear water, warm and ventilated dryer for wet clothes and shoes, 12V charger, comfortable mattresses, well equipped kitchens, beautiful dining room and a wood stove appreciated when the first frosts of autumn arrive.

In Northeastern Iceland, the Víknaslódir trail (“Trail of the Deserted Inlets”) extends over an area where coastal mountains plunge abruptly into the sea. This isolated region is considered to be the central province of the elves. Their queen resides in her fortress at Álfaborg (Behind the small wooden Bakkagerdi church in eastern Borgarfjördur Bay). The imposing mountain massif of the area displays the entire colour spectrum of rhyolite, an acidic form of lava (If you know Landmannalaugar already, just imagine it softer, surrounded by ocean, with the noise from crashing waves and the cries of thousands of nesting seabirds – a truly stunning location!).

From these blue, pink and ochre colours fortresses of dark rock soar hundreds of feet into the sky. In lush, green valleys, limpid torrents run from peat marshes powdered with the white, fluffy seed heads of cotton grass. The ocean’s colour changes with its moods - from the most exotic opal to turquoise to oil-black. Almost systematically when the evening comes a lid of mist descends on the landscape, adding to the mystery of the clear night. Just as methodically, the gleaming morning sun burns through these layers which, after some resistance, escape spectre-like through the mountain pass. Down on the riverside there are beautiful cottages, very comfortable and each equipped with a wood-fuelled stove.

Driftwood in large numbers, whitened by the salt of the sea, arrives regularly from Siberia and runs aground on these remote black sand beaches. You will be sure to bring home with you the memory of one of those magical evenings around a fire on the inlet bank, a most serene feeling in this extreme corner of the world. As nearby fulmars soar over the surf, a curious seal comes for a glance. And on the mountain above the cliffs, where the smoke of our fire and the haze of the evening mix, the invisible elves will be observing you. They already see you coming.

Before and / or after this walking adventure

To reach Egilsstadir in northeast Iceland and to return from there two options are available to you:

Flying with a domestic flight (1 hour flight)
Driving a car (3 days minimum - 700 km)

Combinations to join or return from the North-East:

Outward flight or return flight or Round trip
By road Round trip
By road on the outward journey and flight on the return, or vice versa

For a longer self-drive touring trip around the country clockwise or counterclockwise, it is quite possible to return the rental car to Egilsstaðir or Seyðisfjörður to then participate in the trek and six days later back to Egilsstaðir take a new car to complete the full tour of Iceland or set off in a 4wd adventure into the highlands.

Contact us and we will help you build your self-drive tour and then offer you a quote including the vehicle and accommodation of your choice.

To privatise this trek: > Click here

This trek, as described here, can be privatized for your family, for your hiking club, for your university, for your company or for your clients if you are a mountain guide:

either on one of our scheduled dates still available
or on any other date if availability allows

Dates, Prices & Booking
Itinerary
Info
Equipment
Global map
Detailed Map

Code	From	to	Duration	Price / Estimated	Language	Avail.	Book
To change the indicative price in your prefered currency, choose it from the available list in the upper right-hand corner of this page. Conversion rates are from the Icelandic National Bank
TVS.701	1 Jul 2024	6 Jul 2024	6 days	260000 ISK / 1729 EUR	International	8
TVS.715	15 Jul 2024	20 Jul 2024	6 days	260000 ISK / 1729 EUR	International	10
TVS.729	29 Jul 2024	3 Aug 2024	6 days	260000 ISK / 1729 EUR	International	0	Full
TVS.812	12 Aug 2024	17 Aug 2024	6 days	260000 ISK / 1729 EUR	International	10
TVS.826	26 Aug 2024	31 Aug 2024	6 days	260000 ISK / 1729 EUR	International	10

Please note that this route is reversed on some indicated departures.

D1: Egilstaðir - Seydisfjördur - Loðmundarfjörður
6-7 hours (14 km) hiking 300 m elevation gain/loss – Loðmundarfjörður Mountain Hut
Rendezvous with your guide at Egilsstaðir domestic Airport. From Egilsstaðir we will drive to colorful village of Seyðisfjörður, an important fishing village and the arrival harbour of the only ferry connecting Iceland to Europe. A dramatic mountain pass to carry on along the side track to the deserted Loðmundarfjörður fjord. Wandering in the beautiful fjord which remains for many years one of the most isolated and inaccessible communities in Iceland (it is now uninhabited). There are thousands of nesting eider ducks, as well as seals and reindeers and some wild horses in the vast moorland and swamps on the bottom of the large fjord

✈ We can take care of your domestic flight (not included in this program) from Reykjavik to Egilsstaðir in the early morning (or the day before + 1 night in Egilsstadir). We can also take care of your return flight on day 6.

D2: Loðmundarfjörður - Húsavík
5-6 hours hiking (12 km) - 300 m elevation gain/loss – Mountain hut
If the weather permits, we climb in the rhyolite mountains in the direction to the pass of Kækjuskörð where the view is breath-taking. To the West we can admire countless snowy mountain peaks, to the South and to the North the alignment of fjords and coves and to the East the curvature of the ocean. Somewhere at less that 280 miles away are the beautiful Faroe Islands. Of course, we can’t see them, but we nearly feel their presence. At the pas to Húsavík a large cairn is the only telephone connection possible to receive or send messages. (Otherwise each shelter is equipped with a radio transmitter that connects us to civilization); Down the pass and through moorland we reach to the foot of Mount Hvítserkur one of the most picturesque and bizarre mountains in the country. Hvítserkur consists of bright ignimbrite, fancifully streaked with darker veins. Descent toward Húsavík. The lodge is located on the site of a small, old farm, deserted in the 1950s after centuries of occupation

D3: Húsavík - Breiðavík
5-7 hours hiking (14 km) - 400 m elevation gain/loss– Mountain hut
We walk up and down toward the beautiful wild bay of Breiðavík. A wonderful place with coastal marsh and black sandy beaches covered with incredible amounts of Siberian driftwood and other treasures of the sea. Curious seals will almost certainly come to observe our evening fire and our strange attitude!

D4: Breiðavík - Brúnavík -Bakkagerði
5-7 hours hiking (15 km) - 400 m elevation gain/loss – B&B Inn
We progress across stunningly massive rhyolite mountains displaying an incredible range of all possible ochre and pastel colors from blue to pink. Then we walk, to Borgarfjörður via Brúnavík (“Brown Bay”), At the very foot of the majestic Dyrfjöll Mountain range we arrive at the small coastal village of Bakkagerði. The rocky hill Álfaborg, right next to Bakkagerði, is the source of the fjord's name. Acknowledged home to the fairies, it is said to be the dwelling place of their queen in Iceland. We walk to the islet Fagrihóll, current fishing harbour for the locality. A great variety of birds nest here; among common species are the fulmar, kittiwake, eider duck and puffin.

D5: Dyrfjöll-Storurð:
6-8 hours hiking (14 km)- 400-700 m elevation gain/loss BB Inn
Our trek ends by hiking in the grandiose Dyrfjöll Mountains, whose massive presence dominates the bay of Borgarfjörður. We cross the Vatnaskarð pass, between the faces of the Skeggjaklettur cliff (“Bearded Cliff”) to reach Stórurð (“Big Rocky Ground”), an enormous chaos of large rocks intersected by a calm glacial stream. Between the dark rocks rest calm turquoise-collared basins of icy water surrounded by tender green short grass.

D6: Bakkagerdi - Egilsstaðir (Reykjavik):
70 km driving
Early morning departure (8 am) or in the early afternoon. Drive up the plateau to the little town of Egilstaðir where we arrive one hour later. Egilsstadir is located on the bank of the long turquoise lake of Lagarfljót, where the legendary monster Lagarfljótsormurinn, close cousin of the one in Loch Ness in Scotland, lives. Fly back to Reykjavik or self-drive post-tour.

Lodging:

3 nights in huts and 2 nights in a nice guesthouse with a spa.

If you are traveling alone, you must obligatory choose the single room option when registering for the 2 nights in hostel in the small village of Bakkagerdi

You have also the possibility of taking a large comfortable appartement for 2 or 4 persons (with supplement and limited availability - Contact us!)

In the three beautiful huts of the region, overnight stays are on bedsteads with comfortable mattresses.Large vestibule for shoes and anoraks and walking sticks. Running water and kitchen-dining room in the refuge, but toilet and shower (≈5 €) are outside a few meters away in a small separate building where there is also a ventilated hot dryer for shoes and clothes. If you do not want too much promiscuity during the hours of sleep or more privacy, we offer you the possibility of sleeping in a tent, (Let us know clearly) Camp in a double or single tent with a comfortable and insulating mattress.

Domestic flight

The prices shown below do not include domestic flight(s) between Reykjavik and Egilsstadir.

Please, note that you have the option to book domestic flights through us when you complete the registration form.
But the price may vary as it depends on the registration date and the available fare categories.

Around 34.000 ISK for Round trip flight (approx.210 €)
Around 17.000 ISK for One-way flight (approx.105 €)

You can book your domestic flights yourself at Air Iceland Connect, but be careful to be on time at the rendezvous in Egilsstadir.

Self-driving to reach East Iceland

To reach Egilsstadir from Reykjavik or to return from Egilsstadir to Reykjavik several options are available to you: (Contact us to discuss and ask for a quotation)

The number of days indicated for these different routes is the minimum number necessary to achieve them reasonably..

Self-drive from Reykjavik to Egilsstadir (or Seyðisfjörður) in minimum 3 days along the South Coast and the Eastern Fjords.
Self-drive from Reykjavik to Egilsstadir (or Seyðisfjörður) in minimum 3-4 days through north Iceland, Lake Myvatn, Husavik for whale watching, Plateau of Mödrudalur
Self-drive from Akureyri to Egilsstadir (or Seyðisfjörður) in minimum 2 days. You join Akureyri by domestic flight, then drive through Lake Myvatn, Husavik for whale watching, Plateau of Mödrudalur

Link with the Faroe Islands

Continue your journey through the North Atlantic Ocean for Torshavn the small capital of the Faroe Islands: Trek ends on Tuesday morning in Egilsstadir, (2 days / 2 nights rest and / or stroll in the Seydisfjördur fjord and / or in the beautiful region of Egilsstadir) Boarding Thursday morning in Seydisfjördur aboard the Ferry MS Norröna Ferry company Smyril Line. Arrival at Torshavn in the Faroes 15 hours later. (We can assist you for a discovery of beautiful Faroe Islands). The airline Atlantic Airways operates daily flights to Europe and Iceland.

Rendezvous day 1:

You will have to arrange your own taxi transfer to Reykjavik domestic airport in the morning of day 1. This airport is in the heart of Reykjavik few minutes away from downtown. You will have to meet there 40 minutes prior to departure. We will let you know in advance the exact flight schedule and your flight reservation number. We cannot be more specific than that because, at the time we publish our program, the schedules of domestic flights program for 2017 have not yet been published. If your guide does not fly with you, then he will welcome you at the small airport in Egilsstadir. We'll let you know.

If you do not need domestic flight rendezvous with your travel companions at the Domestic Airport of Egilsstadir is at 09 am day 1 (or other time on some departures. We will let you know in time!) or in the village of Seydisfjördur an hour later.

Composition of the group:

In general, the participants of our trips come from several countries: French speaking from France, Switzerland, Belgium and Quebec but also English speaking people from Great Britain, Ireland, United States (Democratic trending), Australians, New Zealanders or other nations who know how to express themselves in English like Scandinavians, Germans, sometimes Japanese or Russians, and even sometimes Icelanders.
Your guide is fluent in English and masters very well at least one other European language. Traveling with Fjallabak can represent a unique opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and socialize with companions from other countries than yours that you might otherwise never have approached. A unique opportunity to make friends from all around the world and twist the neck to certain prejudices and misconceptions inked

Languages spoken:

The departure dates are all marked as
¬ International, (multinational is more accurate) this means that the guide can express himself both in English and in French (possibly in other languages). Participants can be from all around the world if they speak at least one of these two languages: French and / or English

¬ French, it means that the guide is French-speaking as the group that is composed solely of participants from French-speaking countries (Swiss, French, Belgian, Belgian, etc.) or non-French speakers wanting to improve their French. If you want to test your French, do not hesitate

¬ English means that the guide and the group speaks English. That said, this guide probably speaks also other languages, which may be French (please consult). The group is made up of participants from English-speaking countries or participants from non-English speaking countries with good English skills.

Group size:

Group of 4 to 12 (+/- 1) participants (Note: for groups of 4-5 people, a small group supplement applies)

4 participants +30,000 kr per pers. (approx. +200 €)
5 participants +22,000 kr per pers. (approx. +150 €)

Fjallabak staff or representatives of Fjallabak accompanying professionals (photographers, Journalists, etc.) and other discounted travelers such as children are excluded from the number of participants (minimum and maximum).

Transport:

Domestic flight and return from Reykjavik Airport as to booked apart. Chartered bus will transfer us from Egilsstaðir to the starting point of the trek and return. A local farmer is carrying all luggage in his jeep, equipment and supplies as well as tired or injured members of the group. Taxi between your hotel and Reykjavik domestic airport.

Food:

We pride ourselves on providing the best cuisine in the highlands! Breakfast is Scandinavian-style, with muesli, breads, jams, fish and cheese. Packed lunch, with a variety of sandwich fillings, from smoked meats and fish to local cheeses and salads. Dinners involve fresh, local fish and meat dishes, with pasta, rice or potatoes, fresh vegetables and salad. Vegetarians and those with food allergies can be fully catered for with a range of tasty options. It is essential that you inform our office of any special food requirements at the time of booking!

For usability, but no obligation, you can bring with you a little speciality of your home country to share with your companions as well as a flask of some thing for a short drink in the middle of nowhere.

Trip preparation and notes:

This is an assisted hut-to-hut trekking. The walking level is from moderate to strenuous. You will only carry in a light day-pack what you need for the day. This should present no serious difficulty for persons with at least some mountain walking experience, plus a good level of personal fitness. An experienced Icelandic guide leads the trek. The group is expected to assist with all aspects of making and breaking camp, including meal preparation. Once in the mountains, each group becomes an independent entity. The camaraderie, teamwork and friendships forged, add much to the richness of each person’s experience. This trek passes through some areas of complete wilderness. Some of the walking is partly off-track, with terrain conditions constantly changing, with underfoot conditions constantly changing. Therefore, sturdy, well worn-in hiking boots are a must. Most days involve river crossings, so it is essential that all trekkers carry suitable footwear to change into. See our kit list for more information. We trek for 6-7 hours per day, on average, but this may be longer, depending on weather conditions and group speed. Maximum altitude doesn’t rise more than 1000m. Elevation change for most days should be no more than 300m.

Privatise this trip:

This trip, as described in the itinerary, can be privatized on other dates for a family, a group of friends, a travel club, for a travel agency, a professional photographer, etc.

Net prices per person below are in ISK and depend on your group size. The price in EUR in brackets is only indicative!

Group size / Price per person / (Indicative price in Euros)

Privatiser ce voyage :

Ce voyage, tel que décrit ici, peut être privatisé à d'autres dates pour une famille, un groupe d'ami, un club de voyage, pour une agence de voyage, un photographe professionnel, etc.

Les prix nets par personne ci-dessous sont en ISK et en fonction de la taille de votre groupe. Le prix en EUR entre parenthèses n'est qu' indicatif !

Taille du groupe > Prix par personne > (Prix indicatif en €)

1 pers. > 850.000 kr (≈ 5.247€)
2 pers. > 480.000 kr (≈ 2.963€)
3 pers. > 350.000 kr (≈ 2.160€)
4 pers. > 280.000 kr (≈ 1.728€)
5 pers. > 250.000 kr (≈ 1.543€)
6 pers. > 225.000 kr (≈ 1.389€)
7 pers. > 210.000 kr (≈ 1.296€)
8 pers. > 200.000 kr (≈ 1.235€)
9 pers. > 190.000 kr (≈ 1.173€)
10 pers. > 180.000 kr (≈ 1.111€)
11 pers. > 170.000 kr (≈ 1.049€)
12 pers. > 165.000 kr (≈ 1.019€)
13 pers. > 155.000 kr (≈ 957€)
14 pers. > 155.000 kr (≈ 957€)

Ici (20 nov.2020) le taux de change est 162 ISK pour 1 EUR

Clothing
You’ll need to bring comfortable and adequate clothing to protect you from cold and wet weather, such as polypropylene, capilene, or pile. Wool and wool/synthetic blends are also suitable - though wool, if wet, dries slowly compared to synthetic fabrics. We discourage the use of cotton in wet conditions it dries very slowly. When camping, tents are provided. You will be responsible for bringing your mattress and sleeping bag.

When layering, the innermost layer should be long underwear. The middle layer can be a synthetic turtleneck or wool shirt, and pants. The outermost layer must be a breathable waterproof jacket such as a good quality Gore-Tex wind/rain parka and over-pants.
For quantities for each item listed, use your own judgement, based on the expected weather conditions and overall packing/weight restrictions for your luggage.

Regular underwear. Synthetics are easier to wash and dry
Synthetic thermal underwear
Long-sleeved, synthetic or wool shirt
Short-sleeved synthetic or cotton/synthetic T-shirts
Medium-weight synthetic fleece sweater or jacket
Full-length pants, quick-drying synthetic fabric
Down jacket from mid-August to September (optional)
Hiking shorts, quick-drying synthetic fabric
Pile/fleece pants, ideal for around the camp
Sun & rain hat
Wool hat
Gloves (wool or pile)
Waterproofed shell gloves
Medium weight synthetic socks
Gore-Tex rain/wind parka
Gore-Tex rain/wind pants
Hiking boots, medium-weight, all leather, with padded ankle, good ankle and arch support, and a lug sole traction. Your hiking boots should be waterproof, well broken in, and suitable for rocky terrain or possibly snow.
Comfortable shoes to wear when not hiking (optional) Teva-type sandals for river crossing. Absolutely recommended! Gaiters. Highly recommended.

Travel Accessories

Comfortable sleeping bag +10°C to –10°C which can be opened all the way
Cotton sheet to cover the hut’s mattress
Pillow if you can’t sleep without one (optional)
Hiking poles
Swimsuit and towel for hot spring bathing and swimming pool
1-to-2 liters capacity unbreakable water bottle or thermos
Headlamp or small flashlight with spare batteries (essential from August onward)
Swiss Army-type pocket knife (Must be kept in duffle bag, not in hand luggage, when flying!)
Sunglasses
Eye shades. Highly recommended from April to last July!
Wax ear plugs
Spare pair of prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses, or contact lenses (but not only lenses, as wind-blown dust can make them very uncomfortable)
Toiletry kit—soap, toothbrush, and so on.
Moisturizing lotion. (The air in Iceland is very dry)
Sunscreen and lip protection (The sun in Iceland is much more intense than you probably imagine)
Personal first aid kit

Optional Travel Accessories

Binoculars
Repair kit with needle, thread, and safety pins
Reading and writing material
Your favorite snack food such as raisins or chocolate
Protein supplements for vegetarian
Your own food reserves if you are vegan
1 or 2 good bottles of wine or a bottle of something stronger
Netting hood in June and July *

There are no mosquitoes in Iceland (not yet), but in early summer midges swarms invade the banks of rivers and lakes in the lowlands like Lake Myvatn "Lake of gnats." With global warming now midges start to colonize certain areas of higher land with swamps vegetation. The outbreak period is short, but extremely difficult for the hiker. Gloves a long sleeve shirt and especially a safety netting hood that slips over your hat or cap can save you if you find yourself a day without wind in the midst of clouds of these very annoying critters. You will certainly not use it but in case... and that's not a huge investment.

This is an interactive map. Click on the icons and the trail to get more information and photos.