5-day Víknaslóðir Hike in East Iceland // Women-only

Víknaslóðir trails, 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 fjord, south of Borgarfjörður Eystri.

The mountains come in all shapes and sizes and the variety of colors 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 colorful 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.

Travellers can easily spend a few days in the area exploring and taking in the breathtaking views. Tourism companies in Borgarfjörður Eystri offer hikers all kinds of services related to their journey, whether it be tour planning, guidance or transport.

Included:

– Transfer to and from Egilsstaðir domestic airport

– Accommodation in a hotel for the first night and then dormitory style mountain huts for the rest of the trip

– Luggage transport from hut to hut

– All meals mentioned in the itinerary

– Hiking guide

– WhatsApp group invitation prior to the tour starts

Today we have an early wake up as we make our way to the domestic airport to catch the morning flight from Reykjavik (RKV) to Egilsstaðir (ESG). Upon arrival we will be greeted by our guide – have your bags packed and be ready to go because it’s go time when we hit the ground!

Our flight should arrive around 10 a.m., and from here we will begin our hike to Stórurð, an area featuring enormous tuff boulders strewn across a seamless blend of meadows and lakes. We will stop to enjoy our packed lunch along the trail as we take in the stunning views. After lunch our day continues as we approach the Borgafjörður Eystri Fjord, a charming place with only 100 inhabitants offering a great variety of hiking routes and a marina for observing puffins. Here we will settle into our hotel for the evening and be rewarded with a delicious local fish soup and other delicacies.

The rest of the night is yours to relax, and there will also be an option to go and visit the puffins in the evening!

Distance: 18 km / 11.1 miles
Ascent/Descent: 600m (1970ft) / 800m (2625 ft)
Hiking: 6-8 hours

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Clothing and things to carry in your daypack (large enough to carry all the items listed below):

Waterproof cover for your daypack
Waterproof hiking boots
Hiking pants
Thermal top or lightweight T-shirt
Wool socks that dry quickly
Mid layer
Buff or face covering
Warm hat
Gaiters (optional for those hiking in June month)
Sunhat
Waterproof gloves or mittens
Breathable & waterproof jacket and waterproof pants (no plastic ponchos)
Sunglasses
Water bottle or water bladder
Sunscreen
River crossing shoes
Fresh food and snacks provided by Viking Women every day
Extra fleece sweater or down jacket to put on when we stop for breaks
Hand sanitizer
Hiking poles (optional but recommended)
Camera (optional)

In your luggage. We highly recommend bringing a duffel bag:

Sleeping bag (doesn’t have to be in your luggage, just attached to it somehow)
Travel pillow (optional)
Underwear and socks
Extra clothes for the trail
Extra clothes for the huts
Medicine
Hygiene and beauty products
Towel
Headlamp or a flashlight (for those doing the hike in August – September)
Powerbank to charge your devices
Earplugs and a sleeping mask
Cash or a debit/credit card