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Bláskógavegur trail: Húsavík to Ásbyrgi

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Author

John P
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Trail stats

Distance
31.4 mi
Elevation gain
2,339 ft
Technical difficulty
Easy
Elevation loss
2,303 ft
Max elevation
1,276 ft
TrailRank 
43 5
Min elevation
14 ft
Trail type
One Way
Time
one day one hour 43 minutes
Coordinates
3253
Uploaded
August 5, 2020
Recorded
July 2020

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near Húsavík, Norðurland Eystra (Ísland)

Viewed 1021 times, downloaded 14 times

Trail photos

Photo ofBláskógavegur trail: Húsavík to Ásbyrgi Photo ofBláskógavegur trail: Húsavík to Ásbyrgi Photo ofBláskógavegur trail: Húsavík to Ásbyrgi

Itinerary description

This is a route from the whale watching town of Húsavík to Ásbyrgi, where there are many hikes in the Jökulsárgljufur National park. The first section is along a quiet tarmac road leading to a geothermal power station, it passes a lake and in July I saw acres of lupins in flower. The route leaves the road for the Sæluhúsmúli hut, I found the door open to this very tidy hut where you can shelter and sleep, but keep it clean, removing boots at the door. Instead of using the hut I wild camped some distance later. After the hut you continue on vehicle tracks until the Bláskógavegur splits off as a path. For the next 20 kilometres the path continues in a WNW direction, crossing vehicle tracks and in one section following them. I found it mainly used by horses (it is an ancient packhorse route) and sheep. Vegetation is mainly dwarf birch, which grows to maybe 30 centimetres in hummocks, there are a few rock outcrops and an area of larger birch trees. The path ends at Undirveggur, after which the route follows a gravel road in an easterly direction passing various farms, and then a tarmac road and finally the main 85 road to Ásbyrgi, where there is a cafe and shop at the petrol station, a National Park visitor centre and a campsite. Note that there are no water sources on the route or places for food apart from at Húsavík and Ásbyrgi.

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Waypoints

PictographIntersection Altitude -107 ft
Photo ofBlaskogarvegur and Vikingavatnvegur sign

Blaskogarvegur and Vikingavatnvegur sign

The Bláskógavegur crosses several other tracks, here the Vikingavatnvegur marked with a sign. Eventaully the Vikingavatnvegur reaches a lake called Vikingavatn.

PictographWaypoint Altitude 95 ft

Information sign

The sign describes the work of soil conservation.

PictographWaypoint Altitude 216 ft
Photo ofBláskógavegur Sign

Bláskógavegur Sign

One of the few signs marking this trail, near the end of the trail in the direction I was walking it.

PictographProvisioning Altitude 120 ft

Cafe and shop at Petrol Station

I much appreciated the cafe at this N1 petrol station for coffee, soup and a burger after two days of walking in the rain. Basic food and groceries.

PictographWaypoint Altitude -109 ft
Photo ofGate Photo ofGate

Gate

A gate you go through by a small rocky hill.

PictographProvisioning Altitude 28 ft

Heimabakarí

I can recommend this bakery in Húsavík for its rolls and pastries. Start the hike with some food inside you.

PictographBus stop Altitude 23 ft
Photo ofHúsavík

Húsavík

This waypoint marks where the bus from Akureyri dropped me off. In 2020 it was as far as the bus goes. Nearby is the harbour with whale watching trips, tourist information etc..

PictographWaypoint Altitude 66 ft

Information sign

A roadside information sign giving details about the area.

PictographWaypoint Altitude 147 ft

Join 862 tarmac road

At this point you join the tarmac road. Its the road to Dettifoss from Ásbyrgi.

PictographWaypoint Altitude 0 ft

Leave road here

This is where you leave the tarmac road on a gravel track near some pylons.

PictographWaypoint Altitude -109 ft

Leave vehicle track

This is where you leave the vehicle track you have been following and continue on a path.

PictographWaypoint Altitude -106 ft

Path close to vehicle track

PictographWaypoint Altitude -110 ft

Path leaves vehicle track

PictographMountain hut Altitude 10 ft
Photo ofSaeluhusmuli hut Photo ofSaeluhusmuli hut Photo ofSaeluhusmuli hut

Saeluhusmuli hut

A hut with a double decker bedding platforms, table and benches, where you can shelter and sleep. I found the door open. It is very clean and to keep it so please remove boots on entering.

PictographWaypoint Altitude -117 ft
Photo ofSultir sign

Sultir sign

A sign to somewhere called Sultir

PictographWaypoint Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofUndirveggur

Undirveggur

Not sure if the name Undirveggur refers to the farm here or the track heading north, either way it marked the end of the Bláskógavegur path.

PictographWaypoint Altitude 128 ft

Visitor Centre

This is the National Park Visitor Centre which has a display about the area and helpful staff.

PictographCampsite Altitude 771 ft

Wild Campsite

This is where I wild camped, a small patch of flat grass.

PictographCampsite Altitude 0 ft

Àsbyrgi Camping

This is the National Park campsite with toilets and showers, water and rubbish bins. There are several hikes from here.

Comments  (2)

  • Photo of Bruce Bundt
    Bruce Bundt Aug 11, 2020

    Great photos. Looks like a wonderful hike. Well done.

  • Photo of Yako!
    Yako! Jun 25, 2022

    I have followed this trail  View more

    I followed John's tracks for my first solo multi day hike. It was quite cold with strong winds and occasional snow in June ,so, I spent my first night in the hikers hut. I had a gps, a smart phone and a compass. I would suggest bringing a gps as the markings are not enough to navigate the whole trail.
    Also, I took a ride to the camping in Ásbyrgi after I made it to the tarmac road after the farms.

    John's explanations and many way points helped a lot with my preparation. Great hike! Saw no one for 2 days. Thank you for all the information :)

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