L1: Hjallanes

Distance: 8 km (circular route)

Walking duration: 3 – 4 hrs.

Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)

The hike starts at Skálafell farm hikers walk through a field and through two gates. Sheep’s are kept inside the fence, especially during early summer and fall, so it’s important to close the gates behind you.

There is a creek that’s usually not hard to cross.
Hikers will come to a crossroad and can choose which way to go from here (the description for the route suggests clockwise).
Going left at the crossroads, hikers walk up a relatively steep, rocky path. Shortly there after the path leads to Kistugil. From the edge there’s a spectacular view over Skálafell and the surrounding area.

Next there is another steep hill but when Skálafellsjökull starts toappear, the walk becomes a lot easier.
Hikers walk through glacially eroded bedrock, approaching the glacier and walking alongside it towards the northeast. After the trail mostly follows the river Kolgríma back to Skálafell farm.

In the beginning of the 20^th century this area was almost completely covered by the glacier. This trail is especially recommended for hikers interested in glaciology. A few informative signs about the glacier have been placed along the trail.

Points of interest: Glacial eroded bedrock (whale backs), erratics, striations, moraines and kettle holes

Here are some suggestions for hikes around the Heinaberg area. Keep in mind that walking distances and durations are for reference. A dry toilet is close to Heinabergslón car park.

E1: Heinaberg

Distance: 6 km (circular route)

Walking duration: 2 – 3 hrs.

Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)

This hike is a circular route. The description for the route goes clockwise.
Walking from the car park in the direction of Heinabergsdalur, hikers arrive at a signpost and follow the route directed to Bólstaðafoss. On the way hikers might find some distinctive flora. Hikers can take a detour from the route and walk up to Bólstaðafoss. Keep in mind that gravel in the path to Bólstaðafoss can be quite loose.

From Bólstaðafoss the route direction is south around Heinar. In the area around Heinar there are interesting basalt columns formations. Hikers walk through an old river channel of Heinabergsvötn back to the car park.

Car parks are also close to Bólstaðafoss and Heinar. It is possible to start the hike from those locations.

Points of interest: Kame and kettle topography, moraines, kettle holes, ponds, glacially eroded bedrock, waterfalls, columnar jointed basalt, ruined sheep sheds.

E2: Heinar

Distance: 1,8 km (circular route)

Walking duration: 30 min.

Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)

Hikers walk from the Heinar parking lot direction to the south. Parts of the trail leads through a marsh so it’s advisable good to wear waterproof shoes. Basalt column formations can be seen along the route. Where the route joins the E1 trail it takes a turn to the right up a small hill. From there the view is good to all directions. There is often a lot of birdlife, especially during spring and early summer. The path then goes back to Heinar car park.

Points of interest: Basalt columns

E3: Heinaberg farm

Distance: 1,8 km (back and forth)

Walking duration: 30 min.

Route difficulty: 1 (easy)

Hikers walk from the car park through a field towards the ruins of the old farm. Heinaberg. Hikers pass ponds and the ruins of old outhouses. During early summer, red-necked phalarope and other small birds can be seen around the ponds. Follow the same path back to the Heinaberg farm car park.

Points of interest: Columnar jointed basalt

E4: Heinabergsdalur (Vatnsdalur)

Distance: 17,5 km (circular route)

Walking duration: 6 – 7 hrs.

Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)

The trailhead begins in the parking lot by Heinabergslón and heads towards Heinabergsdalur. After a short while the trail goes through the river, Dalá, that hikers will cross. For the next 7,5 kilometers the path is visible but then it becomes a sheep path. Vatnsdalur can be seen when arriving at the bottom of Heinabergsdalur. Vatnsdalur was once naturally dammed by ice and was often the cause of flooding in Heinabergsvötn.

From there hikers can return the same route or take the unmarked trail up to Geitakinn and along the mountain ridge back to Dalá. From Dalá it is a short distance back to the parking lot. Following the mountain ridge is quite easy, but it is safer to take the route back through Heinabergsdalur if there is poor visibility on the ridge.

Points of interest: Former ice blocked valley, old shorelines, water-eroded rocks, kame terraces, dike intrusions, scenic view, reindeer, waterfalls, canyons

Additional information: It is possible to cycle the route to the bottom of Heinabergsdalur and back. The route is 7,5 km one way from Heinabergslón car park.

Hoffell

Here are some suggestions for hiking in Hoffell. Keep in mind that walking distances and durations are for reference.

O1: Hoffellsjökull – view point

Distance: 250 m (0,5 km both ways)

Walking duration: 5 min. (10 min with return)

Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)

The hike starts from the parking lot by Hoffellsjökull and follows the trail along Geitafellsbjörg towards the southwest. From the viewpoint there is a scenic view of Hoffellsjökull and the lagoon in front of the glacier. The same path is followed back to Hoffellsjökull car park.

Points of interest: Scenic view across an outlet glacier, old shorelines of a glacial lagoon.

O2: Húsberg

Distance: 1,5 km (circular route)

Walking duration: 30 min.

Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)

This is a circular route around Húsberg.

Hikers walk northeast from the car park (from Hoffellsjökull) up a birch covered hill. Hikers continue straight, then down the hill to the other side, finally turning right to follow the hill until returning to the start of the trail. There is a great view from the top that looks over Hoffellsjökull. Towards the east, there are rhyolite mountains and dikes can be seen in good visibility. Húsberg and the parts of Geitafellsbjörg are made of gabbro, which is a phaneritic, mafic intrusive igneous rock formed from the slow cooling of magnesium-rich and iron-rich magma.

Points of interest: Plutonic intrusions (gabbro), distinctive vegetation, dike intrusions, rhyolite.

O3: Geitafellsbjörg

Distance: 5,6 km (circular route)

Walking duration: 2 – 2,5 hrs.

Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)

This hike starts like the trail O2 around Húsberg. Hikers walk northeast from the parking lot (from Hoffelssjökull) up a birch covered hill. Instead of continuing straight down the hill, the trail goes to the left and up a step and relatively rocky path around Geitafellsbjörg, Going up this path gives great views over Hoffellsjökull. Hikers continue towards Efstafellsgil, where the trail follows an old road. Farmers use this road for gathering sheep in the fall. Following the road is preferred when returning to the plains. When the trail returns to the plains, hikers can either choose to go over the ridge north of Húsberg or walk alongside it. The latter lengthens the route by 0,5 km.

Points of interest: Glacially eroded landforms (western part), land modification by rivers (eastern part), plutonic rock, dike intrusions, distinctive vegetation.

O4: Geitafellstindur

Distance: 6 km one way (12 km both ways)

Walking duration: 4 – 5 hrs.

Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)

The trail follows the same trail around Geitafellsbjörg to begin with. Hikers walk northeast from the Heinabergsjökull car park up a birch covered hill. Instead of continuing straight down the hill the trail goes to the left and up a steep and relatively rocky path. Instead of turning right towards the old road used for herding sheep, the trail turns to the left towards Efstafellsgil. When arriving at the canyon the trail goes up alongside the canyon. The trail is marked up to 500 meters above sea level. After that the path follows the ridge all the way to the top of Geitafellstindur which is around 1.016 meters above sea level. From Geitafellstindur there are spectacular views to the east into Hoffellsdalur. When returning, the same route is followed, taking the old road back down to the plains. When the trail returns to the plains, hikers can choose to go over ridge north of Húsberg or walk alongside it. The latter lengthens the route by 0,5 km.

Points of interest: Spectacular view of Hoffellsjökull and surroundings, plutonic rock, dike intrusions, distinctive vegetation.

O5: Hoffell – Hoffellsjökull car park

Distance: 3,75 one way (7,5 km both ways )

Walking duration: 2 – 2,5 hrs.

Route difficulty: 2 (challenging)

This hike starts by the Hoffell guesthouse and follows the hills of Hoffellsfjall towards Hoffellsjökull. This is an unmarked trail.

Points of interest: Retreating glacier, progression of vegetation, terminal moraine.

O6: Núpar route

Distance: 27,5 km (circular route)

Route difficulty: 3 (difficult)

This hike follows along Núpar and Hoffellsfjöll from Hoffell. This hike is very difficult and is only recommended for experienced hikers. Cellular service is unreliable. It is recommended to leave a travel plan on www.safetravel.is before departure.

Points of interest: Scenery, old glacial-lagoon shorelines, dike intrusions, plutonic rock