Hraundalur is a beautiful valley extending from the mouth of Loðmundarfjörður. The valley is one of several in this otherwise remote location. The landscape is desolate and magnificent, enveloped in melancholy. The ancient, colourful hot spring hills of the mountain Skúmhöttur lend a picturesque quality to the surroundings, and large cliff walls dominate the top. The thick stack of lava layers made of dark basaltic rock forms the shapes of the mountains. There is also an unusually large amount of silica-rich and light-coloured rock on the surface,in an area that is the second largest of its kind in the country. Below, streams and rivers wind down from the moors above, and the bright green moss forms a beautiful contrast in this otherwise poetic landscape.
Accessibility
The road leading to this location is a very rough gravel road through a high mountain pass to get to Loðmundarfjörður. From the bay is a 3.5-kilometre-long rough gravel road to the mound of the valley, and superjeeps or 4-wheelers should only be used to travel there. During the winter months, it would be wise to check the weather forecast, as this region has lots of snow that tends to stay.
Services nearby
The nearest hospital is in Norðfjörður, 169 km away. The village of Borgarfjörður Eystri is only 32 km away, with most of the services you might need, such as hotels, restaurants, and gas stations.
Permits
Want to film hassle-free? Partner up with the local production studio through Massif and let them
handle all the paperwork.
Learn more
Basecamp and facilities
There is a farm at the entrance to the valley with fields and lots for medium basecamps. The valley is further up a very rough gravel road, 3.5 km away. You would use shuttles or superjeeps to transport equipment or people to the valley. Phone coverage is dismal at this location.
Risk factors
The road to Loðmundarfjörður is treacherous, even in good conditions. The road is not serviced by the government during the winter. Phone coverage is bad at this location.
Visitors
This location is very delolate with few farms close to it that are not lived in during the winter months. Loðmundarfjörður has one of Icelan´s largest Eider duck breeding grounds that is underway from last week in April to June, depending on the weather.
Where does all this information come from?
In collaboration with a team of experienced producers, we scoured through every location on
massif.network to bring you the most relevant and up-to-date information.
We provide photos and videos and all other location information.
Know something we don’t?
Noticed wrong information about permits? Is there a restaurant closer nearby? Tell us anything that may be wrong or missing.