8 days, 7 nights
Day 1 / Saturday
Arrival from Reykjavík to Egilsstaðir airport afternoon flight.
One hour drive together to Borgarfjörður to our locally owned
Elf guesthouse where we will stay for the next 6 nights.
Day 2 / Sunday
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 3 / 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 4 / Tuesday
Beauties of Breiðavík
Info: Easy hike of about 15 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 5 / 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) and Jökuldalur (Glacier Valley) to see their
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 6 / Thursday
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 7 Friday
Mývatn and Icelandic nature treasures.
Info: Driving about 5 hours, Easy hike about 4 hours.
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 after an
interesting day. The good night sleep will be at near farm 
holiday guesthouse.
Day 8 Saturday
Akureyri – Departure.
Info: After breakfast we drive to Iceland’s
second biggest town Akureyri.
Capital of the north Iceland and from there we fly to Reykjavík
or if you like you can of course continue your travels in Iceland
from here on your own. Flight from Akureyri can be in the
morning or evening, it is up to you if you want to stroll around
Akureyri and relax, or head straight to Reykjavik.