The numbers of the hiking paths are in accordance to the number of the paths on the hiking map. Note that at crossroads out in the field these numbers are not at sign posts.

V-1 Eyjan hill in Vesturdalur

Distance: 1 km (circle)
Walking time: 0,5 hr
Starting point: Campground (by the more easterly WC)
Route difficulty: Challenging route (red).

From the campsite in Vesturdalur a short trail leads around the northernmost point of Eyjan, the “Island”, in Vesturdalur. Along the way you pass moss covered rocks and small ponds. This short walk is ideal for an evening stroll.

V-2 Hljóðaklettar

Distance: 1 km (back and forth)
Walking time: 0,5 hr
Starting point: Parking area at Hljóðaklettar
Route difficulty: Easy route (blue).

An easy and short trail from the parking area down to Hljóðaklettar. The first rock is one of the few rocks in Hljóðaklettar which has a specific name, Tröllið (The Troll). If you follow the path a couple of meters east from the Troll (to the right) and walk over a slightly rocky trail you can see beautiful basalt columns and honey comb weathering. The same path is followed back to the parking area.

V-3 Hljóðaklettar circle

Distance: 3 km (circle)
Walking time: 1-1,5 hr
Starting point: Hljóðaklettar parking area
Route difficulty: Challenging route (red). 

Hljóðaklettar (Echo Rocks) are the remains of ancient volcanoes which have been heavily eroded by the Jökulsá river, leaving only the volcanic plugs behind. It is interesting to listen to the cliff acoustic near the river and walk between the unique geological phenomena: basalt columns in various shapes, cliffs, honeycomb weathering and caves. A part of the circular route is difficult to cross. It is possible to make the route easier and shorter (~ 1 km) by going only to the first rock, Tröllið (“the Troll”) and turn around there (route V-2).

V-4 Rauðhólar circle

Distance: 5 km (circle)
Walking time: 1,5-2 hrs
Starting point: Hljóðaklettar parking area
Route difficulty: Challenging route (red). 

The first part of the trail is the same as in route V-3 but by the cave of Kirkjan (the Church) the trail branches from the main path and rises along a gentle wooded slope leading to Rauðhólar (Red hills). Rauðhólar is a row of scoria cones. During this fascinating walk you can experience a great variety of geological phenomena and the views to the canyon in the north and Hljóðaklettar in the south are exceptional. Please note that the park authorities have had to prohibit walking up to the highest hill.  Due to intrusion it was starting to flatten out.

V-5 Karl og Kerling

Distance: 2-3 km (back and forth)
Walking time: 1 hr
Starting point: Hljóðaklettar parking area
Route difficulty: Easy route (blue) to the view point but challenging route (red) if going down to the river bank.

Karl and Kerling are two rock pillars, believed to be a pair of petrified trolls, standing on a gravel bank by the river. There is an easy walk from the parking area at Hljóðaklettar to a view point over the pair. From there is a trail that goes down to the gravel bank. That route is challenging (red route) and the route is lengthened by ~ 1 km.

V-6 Svínadalur circle

Distance: 7 km (circle)
Walking time: 2-3hrs
Starting point: Hljóðaklettar parking area
Route difficulty: Challenging route (red). 

The trail starts at the parking area at Hljóðaklettar and goes south past the old Trolls, Karl and Kerling and towards Kallbjarg. In the last century there was a pulley over the river at Kallbjarg, which was used to transport essentials from one side to the other. From Kallbjarg the route heads west to the farm Svínadalur, deserted since 1946 and then it turns north. The trail goes over Eyjan (the Island) and then it goes down into the Vesturdalur valley and goes along the Vesturdalsá River to the camp site. From there the easiest way back to the parking area is to follow the road.