Hike surrounded by beautiful views of mountains and rocky coastline. Visit Iceland's one of the most remote places where you can feel more like a local. After the long day of hiking, enjoy the hospitality and great local food options at the Alfheimar Country Hotel.
Welcome to the hiking capital of Iceland. During this tour, we'll follow in the footsteps of the mystical creature - elves. We'll stay in a family-owned Álfheimar Country Hotel, where we will enjoy the Icelandic hospitality and taste delicious local food at the restaurant in the evenings.
You will witness the beautiful colorful mountains meet the ocean, creating deep fjords with secluded alcoves along the coastline. Borgarfjörður valley is recognized by locals as a place still untouched by mass tourism. This isolated region is also known as the home of Icelandic mystical creatures - elves. We'll visit the Álfaborg fortress (Elf-hill) where the elf queen has long resided.
This tour can unravel many unexpected secrets, but one is for sure - your trip to Borgarfjörður soon won't be forgotten.
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Please note: this tour is sold out for 2023.
Our tour will start with arriving at Egilsstaðir airport from Reykjavík in the morning. Then we'll reach our locally owned Álfheimar Country Hotel in Borgarfjörður, where we will stay for the next five nights. Then, our hiking adventure to Borgarfjörður valley will begin.
This will be a relatively easy day with around 12 km (7.5 ml) of walking with 400 m (1312 ft) of elevation. Our adventure will start with 3 hours hike to the local village, where we'll visit the Old turf house, local fish factory, concert hall, and other exciting stops along the way.
After a light lunch, we will continue our journey to the unmarked trails of the Borgarfjörður valley. We'll take trails up to Dimmidalur (the Dark Valley) and Jökuldalur (Glacier Valley) to enjoy the rugged, beautiful landscape surrounded by the Door Mountains.
We will not only walk through the elf community of Lobbuhraun, but we'll also visit their home in Dimmidalur valley. When we will return to Bakkagerði village, notice its many interesting aspects and see the elves' queen at Álfaborg (Elf Hill).
On our second day, we'll hike for about 16 km (10 mi) at approximately 700 m (2296 ft) elevation. The day will start at the environmentally friendly Borgarfjörður harbor, Hafnarhólmi. Here we can spot puffins and others birds that are nesting here. ...)
On our second day, we'll hike for about 16 km (10 mi) at approximately 700 m (2296 ft) elevation. The day will start at the environmentally friendly Borgarfjörður harbor, Hafnarhólmi. Here we can spot puffins and others birds that are nesting here.
Next, we'll continue our hike up from the coast through the green mountains to Brúnavík pass and down to Brúnavík inlet. We'll visit the spectacular black sand beach where we can listen to waves and gaze at the beautiful stones. Here you'll be able to take off your shoes and dip your toes into the sand. Then we will hike another 321 m (1053 ft) over the Hofstrandarskarð pass on our way back. We'll walk beside the colorful Helgárgil canyon towards Bakkagerði village.
On the third day, we'll head to Iceland's best-kept secret - Stórurð (Boulder Hollow). This will be a rather challenging hike considering that 15% of the route consists of gravel. The entire hike will be around 16 km (10 mi) long with an elevation of...)
On the third day, we'll head to Iceland's best-kept secret - Stórurð (Boulder Hollow). This will be a rather challenging hike considering that 15% of the route consists of gravel. The entire hike will be around 16 km (10 mi) long with an elevation of 500 m (1640 ft).
Our day's hike will start from the Vatnskarð pass (431 m), then towards the Geldingafjall mountain (640 m), and then continue west of Súlur peaks. There we will get 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.
After that, we'll go into Stórurð, an expanse of enormous rocks divided by a small river. Here you will see icy blue water basins hidden by enormous boulders, covered in green. This is a truly fairytale-like view! Getting back from this magical place, we'll be able to choose between the hike along the Dyrfjöll (Door Mountains) or the easy way down the valley below Rjúpnafell peak.
Today is for an easy hike through about 15 km (9.3 mi) and 400 m (1312 ft) of elevation. We'll get a transport Afrétt and then take up our hike over moors, gravel, and the light brown rhyolite around Urðarhólavatn. We'll continue further on to Gæsavö...)
Today is for an easy hike through about 15 km (9.3 mi) and 400 m (1312 ft) of elevation. We'll get a transport Afrétt and then take up our hike over moors, gravel, and the light brown rhyolite around Urðarhólavatn. We'll continue further on to Gæsavötn and Víknaheiði before reaching Breiðavík inlet. The rhyolite mountains along the way will give a range of beautiful pastel colors.
After a lunch stop, we'll continue our hike up to Gagnheiði ridge (479 m), where we can take in the incredible panoramic views. After a day full of adventures, we'll finally make our way back to Bakkagerði.
On the last day, we'll hike for around 11 km (6.8 mi), with 415 m (1361 ft) elevation. The route will take us from Stapavík to Njarðvík. It'll begin with a 15-minute drive from Borgarfjörður and stop at Unaós farm. Then, we'll hike along the Selfljót...)
On the last day, we'll hike for around 11 km (6.8 mi), with 415 m (1361 ft) elevation. The route will take us from Stapavík to Njarðvík. It'll begin with a 15-minute drive from Borgarfjörður and stop at Unaós farm. Then, we'll hike along the Selfljót river to the seashore and the Stapavík cove, a former unloading place for ships. From there, we'll take a relatively easy hike along Gönguskörð pass. This hiking trail was the main and only route between Borgarfjörður and Fljótsdalshérað valley for around 1000 years before the new road over Vatnskarð pass was opened in 1955. Since then, this route has been isolated and visited by very few tourists. Our day will end with a pick-up at Njarðavík farm and a drive to Borgarfjörður.
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A single supplement is available if you want to have your own room, but you are not required to pay a single supplement. If you are a single traveler and do not wish to book a single room, you’ll be roomed with another traveler of the same gender.
We do welcome participants of all ages older than the listed minimum age for each tour. We have people of ages ranging from 8-99 years joining our multi-day tours. Our average group usually consists of participants between the age 20-55 years. We do get a lot of solo travellers joining our tours, as well as families and friends.
If you have difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, you are more than welcome to skip it. You can explore your surroundings in the meantime or wait elsewhere. Our guide should be able to drop you off at a nearby place where there are some services available.
We always recommend booking a multi-day tour starting at least one day after arriving in Iceland. If you’re flying in from the US or will be landing early (4-6:30 am) you should be able to join the tour, but some risks would follow (i.e if the flight gets delayed) and could, therefore, miss out on the tour.
If your tour includes accommodation, breakfast is always included during the tour at the hotel/guesthouse restaurant.
Meals and beverages are otherwise not included on your tour. (Unless it’s specifically stated in the description of the tour)
On our multi-day tours, we will be making stops at restaurants and convenience stores where you will be able to purchase all necessities. Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are almost always accepted. Having a small amount of cash doesn’t hurt though.
Breakfast is included at all the hotels we stay in during the tour. The breakfast will be a typical breakfast buffet, offering bread, toppings, cereal, yogurt, fruits, coffee, and tea etc.
Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch. We always try to choose places that have a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. The dinner is usually at the hotels we stay at for the night.
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