Trail #38 Kækjuskörð

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Waterfall

This trail is marked by painted stake markers but can be extremely treacherous in foggy conditions. Attempt only with a GPS track or a capable guide.

This trail takes you through the high pass of Kækjuskörð, between Borgarfjörður eystri and the deserted fjord of Loðmundarfjörður.

The route is equally traveled from Loðmundarfjörður to Borgarfjörður and vice versa, but this is usally the terminus of the Víknaslóðir multi-day trek.

Starting from the wilderness lodge at Klyppstaðir in Loðmundarfjörður, this trail takes you up through meadows and ancient pastures into the foothills of the mountain pass. Soon you're climbing up the steep hillside of the mountain. As you climb, you'll start getting into rougher alpine conditions with rocky shale underfoot. As you reach 600 meters above sea level, about 6.5 kilometers into the hike, the trail becomes less steep and you're in the high alpine region, on the ridge that separates the inner valleys of Borgarfjörður eystri and Loðmundarfjörður. In this area, there is often much snow and finding the route can be tricky, especially if there is dense fog, as there sometimes can be in this part of the country.

After you reach the top of the pass, there soon is quite a steep descent into the Kækjudalur valley. The footing can be treacherous as you descend. Soon you're in the valley, where footing is good and the trail is clear. In the valley you'll pass a large boulder, known as Kirkja, which is a church for the local elven nobility. Coming further down and out of the valley, you're in lush meadows again until you reach Þverá and the road.

You'll most likely see some sheep on your way and birds of various kinds. You'll be in marshland, lush meadows, alpine grassland, and rocky places where flora is scarce.