Dyrfjöll Hiking Tour

Borgarfjordur eystri is a fjord of about 130 people, located in East Iceland. It's main settlement is Bakkagerdi. The area is renowned for its natural beauty.

Sheep farming, fishing and fish work is the Bakkagerdi's main economy, as well as tourism, though this is only during the summer months. 

Hiking is highly popular in the area and many great routes are available, but the most notable hiking destination is beyond doubt Stórurð ("The Giant Boulders") and the mountain ring is also particularly attractive. South of the fjord rhyolite mountains dominate, but at the bottom of the fjord and to the north the mountains are of basalt. Birdwatching is also popular, as many puffins nest in the area. Elves are also said to reside there.

Johannes Kjarval, one of Iceland's greatest painters, grew up in the area and the town has a great exhibition of his work. For further artwork by Kjarval, we recommend Kjarvalssafn museum in Reykjavik. The altarpiece of Bakkagerdi church was also made by Kjarval.

Since 2005 the annual Braedslan music festival has been celebrated at Borgarfjordur Eystri in June, in an old herring factory. In 2010 the festival got the Eyrarros award for outstanding cultural achievement in the countryside. Notable musicans who've played there include Of Monsters and Men, Belle & Sebastian, Mugison, Emiliana Torrini and Damien Rice.

Photo from: Mt. Dyrfjöll Hiking | Day Tour

Dyrfjöll is a series of mountains within a great mountain range that rests between fjord Borgarfjörður Eystri and the municipality Fljótsdalshérað in East Iceland. 

The mountains get their name from their most famous feature; a large gap called Dyr which translates to “door”.   

Geology and Surroundings

The mountains’ highest peak reaches 1,136 metres (3,727 feet) above sea level. The mountains are central volcanoes with two major silicic phases of activity that produced a myriad of calderas which are brightly visible throughout the volcanic field. Just below Dyrfjöll lies Stórurð, one of the highlights of East Iceland, which consists of large tuff boulders, scenic ponds and meadows. The area can be reached through the pass of Vatnsskarð. 

Hiking 

Hiking through Dyrfjöll is considered challenging, but very awarding. The hike usually begins just outside the town Jökulsá við Bakkagerði. The route begins calmly enough, but as you reach higher levels, you are greeted with steep ridges filled with permanent patches of snow. The hike goes all the way up to the specific mountain of Ytra-Dyrfjall, but only the experienced few reach its peak. The first time in recorded history in which the peak was reached was in 1952. 

When hiking in Iceland, always remember to prepare and submit your travel plan here.