Eastern Iceland – the Viknaslodir Trail

SUMMARY

Date: Sunday 25th July to Friday 30th July – 5 days/ 4 nights 

Guide: local guide and WalkingWomen support

Walking Grade: 3 as this is a challenging trek to explore a lesser known area of eastern Iceland. This is rightly called a hikers paradise and for those looking for a new,adventurous hike this is for you.

Moderate to challenging. A good level of fitness is required, and prior multi-day hiking experience is recommended. Daily hikes can be long, with steady pacing and varied terrain, but are fully supported by your local guide.

Base: One night in a hotel in Reykjavik, The second night is spent at a lovely country hotel.
For the rest of the tour hikers stay in cosy mountain huts. Accommodation is in communal, mixed-gender dormitories with single mattresses. Sleeping bags are required.

Arrivals: Arrive in Reykjavik on Sunday 25th by 14.00 where you will be met by your WalkingWomen support. You will travel together to your hotel.

If you arrive outside the transfer time don’t worry there is an airport bus going straight into the city centre and it is easy to find your way to the hotel.

Departures: The trek ends in Egilsstadir on Friday July 30th where you can fly back to Reykjavík for return flights home or you may want to do more exploring in Iceland.  You can book your internal flights with IcelandAir

We can discuss travel plans with you.

Price:  £per person to include:

• 5 nights accommodation
• Welcome dinner in Reykjavik on arrival
• All meals on the trek
• Professional english speaking mountain guide for your trip
• WalkingWomen support for the whole trip
• Transportation , fuel costs and parking costs
• Emergency jeep and food transfer during the trek

If you bring a friend and share a room the price would be £ per person for this trip 

Not included: 

• Flights to Reykjavik
• Internal return flights back to and from Egilsstadir
• Additional food not provided

DETAILS

This trip offers the chance to experience a lesser trodden part of Iceland .

The Víknaslóðir trails which is our trek is sometimes also referred to as Trails of the Inlets is a vast net of well-marked and versatile hiking routes reaching from the village in Borgarfjörður Eystri to Loðmundarfjörður. Locals have through the years marked out and maintained numerous trails, making the area a rightfully called hiker’s paradise. They also publish a high-quality hiking map and operate comfortable hiking lodges with facilities in Breiðavík, Húsavík and Loðmundarfjörður, deserted inlets and fjords, south of Borgarfjörður Eystri.

The mountains come in all shapes and sizes and the variety of colours is stunning; everything from the black sand beaches to the pinkish orange hues of the mountain ridges. The trails wind themselves between isolated coves and fjords over colourful hills and through green valleys all the way down to the coast. Abandoned houses and ruins of ancient farms leave their mark on the surroundings.

The trek will take 5 days.

ITINERARY

Itinerary may change depending on the weather and at the discretion of the guide. We ask you to always trust the guide – they want to ensure you have the best experience.

Day 1 Arrive in Reykjavik for 14.00

A chance to explore the capital city and have a welcome and evening meal together.

A morning flight from Reykjavík (RKV) to Egilsstaðir (ESG). Be prepared with bags packed and boots on, as the adventure begins immediately.
From Egilsstaðir, we head straight into the East Iceland highlands to hike to Stórurð, one of the region’s most striking natural areas. The trail leads through dramatic mountain scenery to a surreal landscape of giant tuff boulders, clear alpine lakes, and wide green meadows. We pause along the route to enjoy a packed lunch, taking in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
After completing the hike, we continue toward Borgarfjörður Eystri, a small and colorful fjord village known for its rich hiking culture and vibrant birdlife. With fewer than 100 residents, the village offers a peaceful setting and one of Iceland’s best locations for puffin watching during summer months.
We settle into our hotel accommodation for the night and enjoy a warm dinner.

Distance: 18 km (11.1 miles)
Ascent / Descent: 600 m (1,970 ft) / 800 m (2,625 ft)
Hiking time: 6–8 hours

After breakfast and a warm cuppa, we set out on our first full day of hiking along the Víknaslóðir trails. The route begins near Bakkagerði in Borgarfjörður Eystri and follows the coastline toward Brúnavík, offering wide views over the North Atlantic and the rugged Eastfjords landscape.
From Brúnavík, we continue toward the remote cove of Breiðuvík, where we stop for a packed lunch near an old farmstead in Kjólsvík. The trail then leads onward to Glettinganes, where the terrain becomes rockier and requires careful footing.
We finish the day at a cozy cabin near the beaches of Breiðuvík. After settling in, we prepare a simple local dinner together with your Viking Women guide. In the evening, there is time for a relaxed walk along the beach and to enjoy the calm of this remote coastal setting.

Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles)
Ascent/Descent: 400 m (1,315 ft) / 400 m (1,315 ft)
Hiking time: 7–9 hours

Today we begin the day by heading west from the cove, crossing the Stóruá river via a sturdy footbridge. As the trail turns south, a wide and striking valley opens up, framed by the surrounding mountains of Hvítuhnjúkur, Hvítafjall, and Hvítserk. The deep blue tones of the landscape make this a perfect spot for a relaxed lunch break and photos.
Continuing onward, we pass the lakes Gæsavatn and Urðarhólavatn before gradually climbing toward the road that leads to Húsavík. Here we reach our accommodation for the night—a cozy mountain hut located on the site of a former farm, abandoned since the 1950s.
After settling in, the evening is spent relaxing and preparing dinner together as a group, surrounded by the quiet of this remote corner of East Iceland.

Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles)
Ascent/Descent: 550 m (1,800 ft) / 500 m (1,640 ft)
Hiking time: 5–7 hours

After breakfast, we have some relaxed time to explore Húsavík, the largest cove along the Víknaslóðir trails. By mid-morning, we set off along an easy road toward Loðmundarfjörður, with wide-open views and dramatic scenery unfolding as we go.
Crossing the Nesháls ridge, we are rewarded with sweeping views over Loðmundarfjörður and, on clear days, all the way to Dalatanga. We pause along the way to take in the landscape and enjoy a well-earned break.
Once in Loðmundarfjörður, we spend time exploring this remote fjord, once home to one of Iceland’s most isolated communities. Wildlife sightings are possible here, including eider ducks, seals, reindeer, and grazing sheep or horses across the moorland.
We finish the day at a cozy mountain hut, where there is time to relax, enjoy a warm meal together, and settle in for a quiet night in this peaceful corner of East Iceland.

Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles)
Ascent/Descent: 600 m (1,970 ft) / 600 m (1,970 ft)
Hiking time: 6–8 hours

We begin the final day with breakfast, enjoying the views before setting out. The trail climbs steadily toward Hjálmárdalsheiði, reaching an altitude of around 600 meters, and follows an old historic route once used to travel between fjords. The terrain here is relatively gentle and offers a peaceful final stretch of hiking.
Along the way, we stop for lunch and a short rest before continuing toward the edge of Seyðisfjörður fjord. The route then leads through Kækjuskárð, followed by a steeper descent into the colorful town of Seyðisfjörður, marking the end of our Víknaslóðir journey.
In Seyðisfjörður, there is time to explore the town, enjoy a well-earned drink or snack, and soak in the atmosphere before transferring back to Egilsstaðir Airport. We recommend booking the last evening flight back to Reykjavík at around 19:30, or extending your stay in the area if you prefer.

Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles)
Ascent/Descent: 600 m (1,970 ft) / 600 m (1,970 ft)
Hiking time: 6–8 hours