In the footsteps of Selkolla
Following the footsteps of famed saga monster Selkolla, this10-11 hour long tour through the fjords Steingrímsfjörður and Bjarnarfjörður in Iceland’s magic-infused Strandir region offers a day full of nature hikes through sub-arctic summer tundra and driftwood shores, seal watching, geothermal pool swimming, encounters with ancient trolls, and a visit to The Sorcerer’s Cottage.
We gather in the charmed fishing village of Hólmavík, where we step on the bus at Hólmavík Tourist Information and drive to the old vicarage Staður in Steingrímsfjörður. Our first hike leads us through a mountain pass to Selárdalur (appr. 3 1/2 hours’ hike). We’ll meet the famous Icelandic trolls Kleppa and Þjóðbrók en route.
Post-hike, the bus meets us for further adventure! We’ll stop to view seals in their natural habitat by Hella, visit Hveravík’s archeological site where remnants of a seventeenth-century Basque whaling station lay, and view an old shark shed where Iceland’s national dish “hákarl” (known as “rotten shark” in English) is made. When we arrive in the quaint village Drangsnes, we’ll meet another famous troll, Kerlingin, who tried to separate Iceland’s West Fjords from the country’s mainland centuries ago. Drangsnes boasts a nice restaurant where we can refresh ourselves while gazing at the puffin island Grímsey.
Next, we head to Bjarnarfjörður where we’ll visit the magnificent driftwood shores of Strandir before arriving at Laugarhóll for a relaxing soak in geothermal water. For those who do not wish to enter the swimming pool, a wonderful alternative is to take the short walk to the hidden waterfall Goðafoss. At Laugarhóll, we will also enter the Sorcerer's Cottage, one part of The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft. There we can have optional dinner before taking the final leg.
The final leg of our journey takes us over Bjarnarfjörður mountain pass, where we witness Selkollusteinn, where the story of the troll Selkolla began.
(See the video on the front page.)
Our trip ends in Hólmavík between 19:00 and 20:00.
Equipment needed: Day backpack, water bottle, sufficient clothes depending on the weather, hiking boots, swimsuits and towel. Good footwear is the key to enjoy this trip.
Departure: From Hólmavík Tourist Information Thu–Fri–Sat 12/6 – 23/8 2014
When: 09:00
Duration: 10-11 hours
Included: Guide, bus transfer, entrance to geothermal hot pot and swimming pool, entrance to The Sorcerers Cottage, lunch pack.
1 - 2 passangers - Price 20.000 ISK each
3 - 4 passengers - Price 18.500 ISK each
5 - 9 passengers - Price 16.500 ISK each
10 - 14 passengers - Price 14.000 ISK each
15 - 20 passengers - Price 12.000 ISK each
Another option is to skip the hiking part and step on the bus in Hólmavík at 12:45 and meet up with the group when they step down from the mountain.
Second option price table
1 - 2 passengers - Price 16.500 ISK each
3 - 4 passengers - Price 15.000 ISK each
5 - 9 passengers - Price 13.000 ISK each
10-20 passenger - Price 10.000 ISK each
Contact info@holmavik.is for further information.
