Five-Day Backpacking Tour in the Lónsöræfi Nature Reserve

Lónsöræfi is one of the most remote hiking areas in Iceland and offers the unique experience of the rugged landscapes to the east of the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe’s largest. The glacier has clearly left its mark on everything here whether it is a moraine, a lagoon or a riverbed. The abundance of colors characteristic of the rhyolitic rocks are quite a contrast to the basaltic formations, offering a real feast for eyes and minds. Reindeer roam freely in this remote ruggedness and are vary of humans. Here we walk through an unbelievable variety of landscapes; deep canyons, green valleys, incredible cliffs and snow-clad peaks that stand against the sky. Well equipped mountain huts guarantee the comfort of this tour. Icelandic Mountain Guides provides sleeping bags or blankets in the huts that should limit the weight each person has to carry to 7 to 10 kg (15 to 20 lbs) which makes this more of a trekking than a backpacking trip. An extraordinarily beautiful trek in a fantastic area.

Backpacking: Five days
Walk per day: 6-8 hours
Total walking distance: 50 km. (33 miles)
Altitude: 100-800 m. (330-2600 feet)
Maximum Ascent: 250 m. (820 feet)

Groups: 6 to 15 participants

Departures on selected dates are offered with English and German speaking guide.

Equipment list

Included : Guide for 5 days, domestic flights between Reykjavík and Egilsstaðir and Hofn and Reykjavík, transportation to Eyjabakkar area, food for 5 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 5), mountain huts, sleeping bags, mattresses, cooking gear and transportation from foot bridge to Höfn.
Note : The tour ends at the domestic airport in Reykjavík.
Meeting Point : Participants are picked up at accommodation in Reykjavík before the tour starts.

Day 1:  Reykjavík – Egilsstaðir – Geldingafell
We meet at the domestic airport in Reykjavik for an early morning flight to Egilsstaðir (1h) and transfer into the Eyjabakkar area located east of Mt. Snæfell  from where we start our hike. On this first day we follow the Eyjabakkar, the impressive riverbanks of the glacial river Jökulsá. Mt. Snæfell sits majestically on the other side of the river, perhaps even with a cover of snow. We turn east towards Geldingafell mountain at the edge of the great Vatnajökull glacier and the lush vegetation of the riverbanks gives way to the rough areas shaped by the receding glacier where the reindeer roam. Accommodation in a fully equipped hut.
Distance: 15km (9.5mi)    Walking time: 6-8 hrs    Ascent: 150 m (490')

Day 2:  Geldingafell – Egilssel
Today we hike over the mountain of Geldingafell for excellent views over the Vatnajökull glacier as well as the outlet glaciers of the area and adjacent glacier lagoons. We then follow the top of the valley of Vesturdalur before descending down to lake Kollumúlavatn where pintails can often be heard and even seen. Accommodation in a fully equipped hut, Egilssel, on the lake.
Distance: 15km (9.5mi)    Walking time: 6-8 hrs    Ascent/Descent: 300 m (980')/500m (1640’)

Day 3:  Egilssel – Egilssel
The surroundings of the hut are well worth further exploration and we spend the day hiking down into the nearby valley of Víðidalur and wondering about the people who eked out a living in this narrow and remote valley, on the edge of nowhere, till the first decades of the 20th Century. The steep mountains lend a certain magnificence to the area and it is possible to top the day with a climb to one of the summits before returning to the hut at Egilssel for the night.
Distance: 10km (6.5mi)    Walking time: 6-8 hrs    Ascent/Descent: 1000m(3280')/400m(1300’)

Day 4:  Egilssel – Múlaskáli
Circling the lake we come to the Tröllakrókahnaus an interesting outcrop of columnar basalt, located on the impressive Tröllakrókar cliffs. Making our way along the cliffs´ edges we enjoy the stunning views of the rock formations as well as the views to the surrounding mountains. The monotony of the basaltic landscapes soon gives way to the colorful landscapes of the rhyolite where the purple, orange and even pink colors come as a real surprise. We continue down into the valley of the glacial river Jökulsá í Lóni arriving at our hut for the night.
Distance: 12km (7.5mi)    Walking time: 5-7 hrs    Ascent/Descent: 200m (650')/450m (1450’)

Day 5:  Múlaskáli – Eskifell – Hornafjörður – Reykjavík
We start by crossing the glacial river on a foot bridge before climbing the hill of Illikambur. We should enjoy the colors of the surrounding slopes on our way up as on top yet another landscape awaits us. Following the glacial river Jökulsá í Lóni we make our way south to the old farmstead of Eskifell. Just after we cross the mighty glacial river on a foot bridge a bus awaits us and to bring us to the airport of Hornafjörður where we get on the plane back to Reykjavík, with our mind full of fantastic memories.
Distance: 11km (7.0 mi)    Walking time: 6-8 hrs    Ascent/Descent: 250 m (820')/300m (980’)

Additional cost for two night accommodation in Reykjavik (one night before the tour and one night after the tour):

• Accommodation in guesthouse, sleeping bag, with shared facilities, and breakfast included – price from: 8.500ISK per person.
• Accommodation in guesthouse with shared facilities, twin share, and breakfast included – price from: 14.000ISK per person. Single supplement from: 8.000ISK
• Accommodation in guesthouse with private facilities, twin share, and breakfast included – price from: 19.500ISK per person. Single supplement from: 11.000ISK
• Accommodation in a 2-3 star hotel with private facilities, twin share, and breakfast included – price from: 22.5000ISK. Single supplement from: 13.000ISK

For bookings and further information, please contact our office by email: info@mountainguides.is or call: +354 587 9999.