Accommodation

Two cottages that each sleeps five. Each cottage has two bedrooms (one double room and one room with bunk beds), a bathroom, kitchen and sitting room. TV set and DVD player. Washing machine. A small porch with a grill. Internet: 3G.

 
Services and recreation

Marked hiking trails. The nearest swimming pool is in the town Egilsstaðir (30 km / 18.5. mi), where the nearest supermarket, restaurants, diners and tourist information can also be found. The nearest golf course is Ekkjufellsvöllur, a 9-hole, par 70 course that is close to Egilsstaðir. Many consider this course among the most beautiful in Iceland.

 
Route

If driving on to Ekra from Egilsstaðir, the farm can be reached by driving by either the east or west bank of the river Lagarfljót. The shorter route is the western one. If opting for the western route, drive through Fellabær and stay on the Ring Road (highway no. 1). Turn right onto road no. 925; Hróarstunguvegur. Drive onwards by the riverbank. After about 25 km (15.5 mi), turn right onto road no. 944; Lagarfljótsvegur. There are about 4 km (2.5 mi) from the crossroads and to the farm Ekra; drive by the Lagarfljótsvirkjun power plant and cross the bridge over the river. Ekra will then be the next farm on the left.

 
A countryside nestled between rivers

The region between the river Lagarfljót and the glacial river Jökulsá á Dal is known as Hróarstunga. The country roads that wind through the region provide a lovely route through the region – a nice excursion during bright and long days. At the neighbouring farm Galtastaðir (9 km / 5.6 mi) guests will come across an old turf house that has been extensively remodelled and is curated by the National Museum of Iceland. This turf house is the only one in Iceland that includes an old-fashioned sitting room located in the cowshed. Tourists can visit the turf house with permission from the owner.

 
The region Hjaltastaðaþinghá, Dyrfjöll Mountains and Stórurð mountain pass

The region east of the river Lagarfljót is called Hjaltastaðaþinghá. The region stretches all the way from the foothills of the east mountains and out to the ocean waves that crash onto black sand beaches. The Dyrfjöll mountains are clearly visible from Ekra. The magical Stórurð pass is just under the Dyrfjöll mountains. There are a few day-long hiking trails that lead to Stórurð. About 30 km away (18.6 mi) are Eiðar, which used to house a secondary boarding school for the quarter.

 
Bakkagerði and eastern Borgarfjörður fjord

35 km (22 mi) away is Bakkagerði, a small village in the eastern Borgarfjörður fjord. To reach the village, it is best to go via Vatnsskarð and Njarðvíkurskriður, which is quite a memorable drive. The eastern Borgarfjörður fjord is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful fjords in the east. The encircling mountains are magical, where Dyrfjöll mountains are a strong feature. Many visitors pass through Borgarfjörður in summertime and guests will find a supermarket and the grand total of three restaurants: Fjarðarborg, Álfacafé and Álfheimar.

Hosts:   Kristjana and Sigmundur