Víknaslóðir is the opposite of a roadside stop. It is a network of trails reaching into remote coastline, mountains and valleys in the far east of Iceland, starting from the village of Bakkagerði below a ring of colorful peaks.
What is Víknaslóðir?
Víknaslóðir is a walking network around Borgarfjörður eystri in East Iceland. It extends from the village of Bakkagerði into remote terrain of coastline, mountains and valleys, so a hike here is a longer outing rather than a stroll from the village.
Our Borgarfjörður eystri page covers the village, and this guide covers the trails. [VERIFY: the names, lengths and difficulty of the main Víknaslóðir routes, and the inlets they connect. No CMS source.]
Getting to the trailhead in Borgarfjörður eystri
To reach Borgarfjörður eystri, drive about 70 km from Egilsstaðir on Route 94 over the Vatnsskarð pass to the village of Bakkagerði. Check the road status for Route 94 before you set off, especially early or late in the season.
Bakkagerði in Borgarfjörður eystri, the starting point for Víknaslóðir.
How hard are the Víknaslóðir trails?
Not every trail suits the same level of experience, and the network reaches into remote country. Plan each hike on current route and weather information rather than a driving estimate, since time on a mountain trail is very different from time in a car.
Coastal walking in East Iceland.
For a sense of the effort, the guided five-day trip described below involves daily hikes of 12–15 km and is designed for people in good physical shape.
When to hike Víknaslóðir
The guided women-only trip runs in summer, with July departures, and the campsite in Bakkagerði is open from the beginning of May to the end of September, depending on the weather.
Streams and peaks along the trails in summer.
Check the Met Office forecast for the east before every hike.
Hiking Víknaslóðir with a guide
The five-day Víknaslóðir hike is a women-only trip through remote landscapes of rugged coastline, mountains and valleys, with chances to see wildlife and explore small villages. It is designed for women in good physical shape, with daily hikes of 12–15 km, and includes cozy accommodations, local cuisine and expert guidance.
The trip runs in summer, with July departures. It is for women only.
Hiking Víknaslóðir on your own
If you are hiking independently, plan your transport back before you start, since the trails lead away from the village into remote terrain.
Leave your hiking route with SafeTravel for longer hikes, so someone knows your route and expected return.
Where to stay in Borgarfjörður eystri
The Borgarfjörður eystri campsite sits below Álfaborg in Bakkagerði. It has two service houses, one with a dining room and cooking facilities and the other with toilets and showers, and it does not take reservations.
The campsite in Bakkagerði, below Álfaborg.
In the most recent published rates, adults pay 2,000 ISK per night plus a 400 ISK tax per unit, children aged 12 and under are free, and electricity costs 1,700 ISK per night.
Puffins at Hafnarhólmi
Near the village, the puffin colony on Hafnarhólmi can be watched from viewing platforms in summer. Puffin viewing is seasonal, so check bird activity for your dates before making a special detour.
Puffins nest on Hafnarhólmi in summer.
Is Víknaslóðir worth the trip?
If you want remote hiking and do not mind planning your own transport, yes. It suits experienced hikers who are comfortable in remote terrain, or women who would rather join a guided group.
For more on the east as a whole, our East Iceland region page is a good next stop.
The official Borgarfjörður eystri visitor site has current local information.
If you would like a hiking trip built around Víknaslóðir, send us your East Iceland hiking plans and we will plan the days with you.
