Accommodation
20 en-suite rooms (extra beds and cots available). One room has good wheelchair access. Dining area (high chairs available).
Board
Breakfast included. Dinner available during the summer season if pre-booked. The nearest supermarket is in village Vík í Mýrdal (16 km / 10 mi). Various diners and restaurants in the area.
Service and recreation
Hiking trails, both close to Hotel Búrfell and further afield in the region. Riding tours at two local farms: Vellir (6 km / 3.7 mi) and Mið-Hvoll (6 km / 3.7 mi). Snowmobile tours to glacier Sólheimajökull, as well as glacier hikes and ice climbing (17 km / 10.5 mi). Waterfall Skógafoss and an interesting district museum at Skógar (20 km / 12.5 mi). The nearest village is Vík í Mýrdal, where you’ll find a swimming pool, a supermarket and diners (16 km / 10 mi). There’s also a nine-hole golf course by Vík. Steig farms sheep and poultry and the local dog happily greets visitors.
A hiker’s paradise with all kinds of trails
For centuries, any traveller in the region would pass by the farm Steig on his way between communities that nestle between the vast South Iceland sands, created by the glacial rivers that tumble down towards the ocean from glacier Mýrdalsjökull. The rivers are still hard at work, playing with the ever-changing landscape. This route was largely abandoned once cars became the common method of transportation, but you can still see the old trails on the ridge by farm Steig. It’s tempting to lace up those hiking boots and explore the moors, ridges, groves and valleys that are within easy reach. Just north of the farm you’ll see mountain Búrfell that mountaineers hold in high regard. You could also try out the Höfðabrekka area (5 km east / 3 mi) that’s a world of adventures for anyone who wants to get to know the welcoming and magnificent landscapes.
Puffin colonies at Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara
Birdlife at the protected promontory Dyrhólaey (10 km / 6 mi) is quite rich and it’s one of the more popular stops when travelling through Mýrdalur, not least because of the steep and majestic cliff face that is often decorated by hundreds of soaring birds. A little further east is beach Reynisfjara (18 km / 11 mi), where the ocean wave pounds the inky black sand, overlooked by peculiar columnar basalt and curious caves. This place holds an almost magnetic pull and is well worth exploring.
Sólheimajökull, tours to Mýrdalsjökull
Sólheimajökull is Iceland’s longest icefall and carves its way through the land from Mýrdalsjökull’s ice cap, all the way down to the lowlands (Steig is 17 km / 10.5 mi from the foothills). Operators at Ytri-Sólheimar (10 km / 6 mi) run snowmobile tours and super jeep tours to Mýrdalsjökull. You could also join guided glacier hikes and ice climbing tours – ideal for headstrong, surefooted and strong-armed adventurers!
Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, an interesting district museum
Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that famously erupted in 2010 and disrupted travel plans the world over, is clearly visible from Steig. By its eastern foothills is waterfall Skógafoss, one of nature’s oddly symmetrical formations (20 km / 12.5 mi). Another famous waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, is 28 km / 17.5 mi further west and the landscapes on the way make the drive almost feel too short. There’s furthermore an interesting district museum at Skógar that’s fun for the whole family.
Host: Marinó Freyr Steinþórsson