The Askja-Trail
The Touring Club of Akureyri (FFA) has built up a walking trail with huts across the lava field Ódįšahraun.
The trail starts from the oasis Heršubreišarlindir that can be reached
by way of a jeep track (mountain road F88), leaving the ring road (road
1) at Hrossaborg, east of
Drinking water is in limited supply in the Ódįšahraun-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 Heršubreišarlindir to Bręšrafell-hut.
From Žorsteinsskįli hut(GPS (1 ) 65°11,56N - 16°13,39W) the trail, marked by yellow sticks,
goes W to the table mountain Heršubreiš, the queen of the mountains in
this area. The trail curves N and W around
Distance:17-19 km, vertical ascent: 240 m, minimal walking time: 5-6 hrs.
Day 2: From Bręšrafell 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°02,52N - 16°35,72W).
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 Vķti at the NE corner of
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°13,69N - 16°58,83W) for Botni and walk from here under the eastern edge of an aa lava (Frambruni/Sušurįrhraun) to the Botni hut (GPS (7) 65°16,18N - 17°04,10W), some 650 m SSE from the uppermost wells of Sušurį-river at Sušurįrbotnar.
Day 5: From Botni to Svartįrkot-farm.
Distance:15-16 km, all downhill, minimal walking time: 5-6 hrs.
The trail follows an old jeep track to the wells at Sušurįrbotnar 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 Ódįšahraun. The trail goes past Botnakofi, the remains of an old shepherds' hut, then follows the NE bank of the Sušurį-river past Stóraflesja where there are more recent shepherds' huts. Finally the trail leads NNW from Sušurį to Svartįrvatn-lake where crystal-clear water flows from under the lava directly into the lake. Here, the Askja-Trail ends at the Svartįrkot-farm.
Compiled by the walking route committee of the FFA in June 1999.