THE TOURING CLUB OF AKUREYRI

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The Touring Club of Akureyri (FFA) has built up a walking trail with huts across the lava field Ódáðahraun. The trail starts from the oasis Herðubreiðarlindir that can be reached by way of a jeep track, leaving road No.1 at Hrossaborg, east of lake Mývatn. The trail ends at Svartárkot-farm in Bárðardalur-valley. Walkers should beware that the trail reaches a height of 1300 m on the Dyngjufjöll-massif where storms and blizzards may set in suddenly even in July and August.

Drinking water is in limited supply in the Ódáðahraun-area except at the huts. Water must therefore be carried for consumption during the day. As the trail goes through rough lava, good-quality walking boots with a robust sole are mandatory.

Further information can be obtained from the FFA, which organizes guided tours in the area. Hut accommodation should be reserved well in advance.

     Day 1: From Herðubreiðarlindir to Bræðrafell-hut.
       Distance:17-19 km, vertical ascent: 240 m, minimal walking time: 5-6 hrs.

From Þorsteinsskáli-hut (GPS (1 ) 65°11,56’N - 16°13,39’W) the trail, marked by yellow sticks, goes W to the table mountain Herðubreið, the queen of the mountains in this area. The trail curves N and W around Mt. Herðubreið to a car park just W of the mountain. The trail then goes W across pahoehoe lava and the Flatadyngja lava shield where there is an interesting crater just N of the trail. At the Bræðrafell-hut (GPS (2) 65°11,31’N - 16°32,29’W) drinking water comes from tanks on the walls of the hut.

Day 2: From Bræðrafell to Dreki-hut.
Distance:18-20 km, vertical ascent: 60 m, minimal walking time: 6-7 hrs.
The trail, marked by yellow sticks, goes S across two brief stretches of aa lava, towards the eastern slopes of the Dyngjufjöll-massif. The trail goes S along the foot of the massif, just under the peaks Stórakista and Litlakista. The trail then goes across old lava streams, which have flowed E out of the Askja-caldera by way of Öskjuop. Finally the trail follows the eastern edge of the black aa lava (Vikrahraun) from the 1961 eruption in Öskjuop and joins the jeep track to Dreki-hut, 2-3 km east of the hut (GPS (3) 65°02,52’N - 16°35,72’W).

Day 3: From Dreki across the Askja-caldera to Dyngjufell-hut.
Distance:19-20 km, vertical ascent: 500 m, minimal walking time: 8-10 hrs.
In cloudy weather, follow the jeep track NW from Dreki-hut up into Öskjuop to the car park near the craters from 1961. Here, one can leave the rucksacks behind and follow a marked trail S to the magnificent crater Víti at the NE corner of lake Öskjuvatn. In good weather, one can walk from Dreki across the mountains W of the hut where the view from the eastern rim of the Askja-caldera is absolutely fascinating. From the rim, descend NW into the caldera to the crater Víti where one can take a swim. From Víti follow the trail N to the car park in Öskjuop. From here, follow the sign for Dyngjufell NW across a very rough stretch of aa lava to the mountain slope to Jónsskarð-pass (GPS (4) 65°04,51’N - 16°49,07’W). From here, the trail is marked by yellow/red sticks and cairns across the pass, with an exceptional view S and N, and down to the Dyngjufjalladalur-valley and Dyngjufell-hut (GPS (5) 65°07,48’N - 16°55,28’W).

Walkers might spend an extra day in Askja and a 2nd night in Dreki-hut because the area is so unique.

Day 4: From Dyngjufell to Botni-hut.
Distance: 20-22 km, all downhill, minimal walking time: 6-8 hrs.
The trail follows a marked jeep track N out of Dyngjufjalladalur-valley, through sand and easy lava fields with beautiful views to the many volcanoes in the area. Some 13 km N of Dyngjufell follow a signpost (GPS (6) 65°13,69’N - 16°58,83’W) for Botni and walk from here under the eastern edge of an aa lava (Frambruni/Suðurárhraun) to the Botni-hut (GPS (7) 65°16,18’N - 17°04,10’W), some 650 m SSE from the uppermost wells of Suðurá-river at Suðurárbotnar.

Day 5: From Botni to Svartárkot-farm.
Distance:15-16 km, all downhill, minimal walking time: 5-6 hrs.
The trail follows an old jeep track to the wells at Suðurárbotnar where a large number of crystal-clear streams appear from under the edge of the lava. Here there is suddenly lush vegetation after the barren wilderness of Ódáðahraun. The trail goes past Botnakofi, the remains of an old shepherds' hut, then follows the NE bank of the Suðurá-river past Stóraflesja where there are more recent shepherds' huts. Finally the trail leads NNW from Suðurá to Svartárvatn-lake where crystal-clear water flows from under the lava directly into the lake. Here, the Askja-Trail ends at the Svartárkot-farm.