Compare Trails of the East by Icelandic Mountain Guides
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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Duration | 9 days |
Price From | $ 2,537 |
Price Per Day | $ 282 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | |
Cities and Attractions | N/A |
Flights & Transport | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included |
9 Lunches |
Description |
East Iceland Trekking East Iceland Trekking are tours that combine some of the best hiking and sights of east and southeast Iceland. They are made up of three parts that each has its own characteristics and charm. They all have in common stunning landscapes and variety in color. You will hike over green hills and between small coves, venture into one of Iceland ‘s most remote wildernesses and visit a world of glaciers and ice. With the three different parts, you may choose one section of the trek, combine two or three parts, or hike the whole East Iceland Trekking tour from the deserted farmland of the eastern coves, through the wilderness east of Vatnajökull glacier and to Skaftafell. |
Day 1: Reykjavík – Egilsstaðir – Borgarfjörður Eystri
Meals: Lunch
Meet the guide at the domestic airport in Reykjavik for an early morning flight to Egilsstaðir 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, to Njarðvík where we will be picked up for transfer to the little village of Bakkagerði. 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
Meals: Lunch
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
Meals: Lunch
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
Meals: Lunch
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: 15km (9 mi)
Walking time: 5-7 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 600m (1970')/600m (1970')
Day 5: Loðmundarfjörður – Seyðisfjörður – Egilsstaðir
Meals: Lunch
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 the late afternoon. We have time to sort our luggage and pack what we need for the next 5 days backpacking trek. The rest of our luggage will be sent to Höfn the next day. Night at a hostel in Egilstaðir.
Distance: 15km (9mi)
Walking time: 5-7 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 600m (1970')/600m (1970')
Day 6: Egilsstaðir – Geldingafell
Meals: Lunch
Morning transfer into the Eyjabakkar area, located east of Mt. Snæfell from where we start our hike. On this first day we follow the Eyjabakkar, the impressive riverbanks of the glacial river Jökulsá. Mt. Snæfell sits majestically on the other side of the river, perhaps even with a cover of snow. We turn east towards Geldingafell mountain at the edge of the great Vatnajökull glacier and the lush vegetation of the riverbanks gives way to the rough areas shaped by the receding glacier where the reindeer roam. Accommodation in a fully equipped hut.
Distance: 15km (9.5mi)
Walking time: 6-8 hrs
Ascent: 150 m (490')
Day 7: Geldingafell – Egilssel
Meals: Lunch
Today we hike over the mountain of Geldingafell for excellent views over the Vatnajökull glacier as well as the outlet glaciers of the area and adjacent glacier lagoons. We then follow the top of the valley of Vesturdalur before descending down to lake Kollumúlavatn where pintails can often be heard and even seen. Accommodation in a fully equipped hut, Egilssel, on the lake.
Distance: 15km (9.5mi)
Walking time: 6-8 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 300 m (980')/500m (1640’)
Day 8: Egilssel – Múlaskáli
Meals: Lunch
Circling the lake we come to the Tröllakrókahnaus an interesting outcrop of columnar basalt, located on the impressive Tröllakrókar cliffs. Making our way along the cliffs´ edges we enjoy the stunning views of the rock formations as well as the views to the surrounding mountains. The monotony of the basaltic landscapes soon gives way to the colorful landscapes of the rhyolite where the purple, orange and even pink colors come as a real surprise. We continue down into the valley of the glacial river Jökulsá í Lóni arriving at our hut for the night.
Distance: 12km (7.5mi)
Walking time: 5-7 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 200m (650')/450m (1450’)
Day 9: Múlaskáli – Eskifell – Hornafjörður
Meals: Lunch
We start by crossing the glacial river on a foot bridge before climbing the hill of Illikambur. We should enjoy the colors of the surrounding slopes on our way up as on top yet another landscape awaits us. Following the glacial river Jökulsá í Lóni we make our way south to the old farmstead of Eskifell. Just after we cross the mighty glacial river on a foot bridge a bus awaits to brong us to Hornafjörður.
Distance: 11km (7.0 mi)
Walking time: 6-8 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 250 m (820')/300m (980’)