Bifrost Crater/Forest and Sheep’s Foss Hikes

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July 15

Grabrok Crater

The group checked out of the Hotel Husafell which is as far east as we went with Backroads and we headed to as far west as anybody can go in Iceland, toward the Snaefellsness Peninsula. Here is a reminder map from the Introduction post a few pages back in the blog (we are on Day 4):

On the way west the first stop was Grabrok Crater, about an hour away in Bifrost (pronounced ‘beef-roast’).  The parking lot was at the base of the 600′ high crater.  Chema, our trip leader gave a quick orientation and then we embarked on the trek upward. Fortunately, there is a nice boardwalk/stairway with landing stations to get us there!

We stopped along the way to the top of the crater for some nice views.

The climb was well worth it as we were rewarded with striking views of the crater’s inside and perimeter, but also the magnificent Borgarfjordur countryside.

We continued the hike beyond the crater into a forest trail that led us down onto the campus of Bifrost University.  The very small university was not in session.  Backroads, being Backroads of course had an arrangement with the university for the allowance to use their restrooms.  I think everybody took advantage of that. After a short restroom break, we boarded the Backroads vans (which were conveniently waiting for us here) and headed about 10 minutes away to another Bifrost forest hike. The trail was part of Jafnaskardsskogur and headed upward, again, with great views of Lake Hreðavatn.  The hikes this morning were about 5 miles in total, and there were definitely some steep parts!

 

 

When done, and back down to sea level, once again our Backroads leaders were prepared to offer us refreshments!

On to a tasty and hearty lunch at the Hraunsnef Country Hotel, not far away. This is actually a working farm where much of the produce and meat is grown and raised right there.

 

Sheep’s Foss (Waterfall)

After lunch we continued westward with Backroads for about an hour to Selvellir.  Here we could opt for a relatively short hike to Sheep’s Foss (Sheep’s Waterfall), or the longer 3-mile hike past the waterfall to what was termed the “horn” hike.  Most of us opted for the longer 3-mile hike to the “horn”.  The “horn” would become obvious once we eventually reached it.  This was a fantastic hike along meadow, forest, river, behind a waterfall, and to one of the best views we got while in Iceland, at the “horn”.

It was a good thing we had our knowledgeable guide Remco with us as this trail was not always easy to see.  There were lots of tall-grass moments, and tricky-footing-along-water moments. In fact, one of our group fell in the water trying to cross at a makeshift crossing, since there really was no path across. Em and I thought this was one of the most challenging hikes with Backroads on this trip.

 

So, we hit some pretty steep and rocky mountain-side to get to the top, or the “horn”.  But it was well worth it.  The horn-shaped crag was not the highlight.  The highlight was the fantastic view from the other side of the horn.  Simply breathtaking.

After hanging around a bit we made our way back down and toward the Sheep’s Foss (Sheep’s Waterfall, or Selvallafoss), considered one of Western Iceland’s hidden gems.  Getting to it was a bit slippery at times but we made it, and hiked behind it.

Once done, and exhausted, we hopped in an awaiting Backroads van and were shuttled about half hour to the luxurious and remote Hotel Budir on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

The hotel is on a lava field, next to the ocean, surrounded by mountains and a glacier, and quite isolated….magnificent.

We enjoyed a great dinner in the middle of nowhere, had a couple of drinks in the lounge, and then off to bed.

Next: Snaefellsnes Coastal Hike, Puffins, Whales