Trekking Eastern Iceland

This centre–based trip offers a chance to connect with our local hosts in a family-run guest house. In their words, this is your home away from home and their warmth and hospitality will make it hard to leave. Here we enjoy our included breakfasts and dinners which offer a true immersion into local cuisine. Our hosts focus on fresh, local ingredients and support their neighbours; small-scale farmers and fishermen, much to the delight of our palate. While difficult to see, the "hidden people" make Borgarfjörður eystri their home and the area is thought (according to folklore) to hold a large population of elves. The elves make their home in the many interesting rock formations and they have no concern with hikers walking by, so long as you respect their homes and nature. On occasion, they are known to help humans, in particular those being bullied, so be kind to each other.

Enjoy a full day of trekking. Drive to Vatnskarð pass and hike across Geldingafjall mountain for exceptional views over Njarðvík, Fljótsdalshérað valley, Héraðsflói bay and beyond. Continue down into Stórurð, with its enormous rocks crossed by a small river hiding turquoise-coloured basins of icy water. Hike back and return to the guest house for a hearty dinner.

Enjoy an excursion to the stunning sites around Mývatn lake. Stop en route to visit Dettifoss waterfall, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. Then, hike in the smoking lava fields of Leirhnjúkur, often compared to a martian landscape. From here, drive to Hverir, a geothermal wonder of bubbling mud and smoking steam. Continue to Mývatn Lake and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Take some free time here and opt to visit the geothermal nature bath. Return to the east Fjords for dinner at our guesthouse.

Enjoy another day of hiking and exploration. Drive to Afrétt and begin the hike across the moors through Urðarhólavatn, Gæsavötn and Víknaheiði. Continue to Breiðavík inlet with its golden sand beaches and high cliffs where we break for a lunch stop. After, hike to Gagnheiði ridge which offers a stunning panoramic view of the mountains. Walk back to the guesthouse.

Start at Borgarfjörður harbour to view the puffins and sea birds nesting there, when in season. From here, hike up from the coast across green mountain screes to Brúnavík pass then down to Brúnavík inlet. Walk across the black sand beach and take a break in this serene spot. Continue the hike over Hofstrandarskarð pass, and alongside the colourful Helgárgil canyon. Enjoy our last home-cooked dinner at the guesthouse.

Drive to historic Seyðisfjörður fishing Village for a walk around what is considered once of the most picturesque towns in Iceland. After, drive to one last waterfall before transfer to the airport where the tour ends.