Zak Goldstein

Apr 283 min read

Ísafjörður Hikes: Tungudalur - Botnsheii Loop

Updated: Jun 21

A quick and easy loop hike with a huge waterfall and forest at the start. Follow a river through a network of ski lifts and up to an empty shack in the middle of nowhere. Creepy!

The town of Isafjordur from the mountains

DINK Details

This is an Icelandic hike so there is no path.

Difficulty: Hard Month: Sept	Time¹: 3 hours Distance: 9 mi Elv. Gain: 1,760 ft
Obstacles: - There is a broken bridge²	Prep: - Download Hopp - Rain gear and boots

1. How long we took to walk it with breaks and all

2. I fell in but there is places to cross upstream

I fell in a river

Getting To Trailhead

The trailhead is located between a camping site and golf course with plenty of parking for cars or scooters. Its located a short 3 minute drive from town center.

The Trailhead

This is one of the best trailheads in the area since it starts at Bunárfoss a large waterfall. Additionally, the trail takes you through a pine forest with a few paths if you want to start the day exploring the woods. Once done, the forest exist is at the south east side.

The Hike

Start Time: 10:15am

I started this hike earlier than usually since I had work in a few hours. It is a smaller loop than the other hikes in the area and doesn't have any scary heights. Let's go!

Ski Lift Network

It's warm now but in a few months, there will be many skiers, sliding down the slopes. For now, we have this whole area to ourselves. The path ends at some supply storage and on the left, the highway leading into the tunnel. The trail will be unmarked for a while after this so it's time to rely on natural markings.

Use the river to guide you, keeping it on your left side and heading towards the peak in the west.

The Lonely House

After heading west for a bit, a shelter becomes visible which provides a nice landmark to follow. The shelter looks new so maybe there is something cool in this desolate building.

Upon an investigation, I found flies, thousands of dead flies. I don't know how or why but don't need to. Onward!

Lakes

There's a path again! Starting at the shelter, this rocky road takes us through to the next point on the map, the lakes!

Snow dust on icelandic mountains with lake

With the seasons changing, I get to enjoy my second favorite site while hiking "snow on mountains" (my first obviously being clouds on mountains). I follow this path around a few lakes and it leads up to the old highway.

Old Highway

This is the same old high from my previous hike around Haafell mountain. You only need to take is a few yards which after a few minutes lead to a steep, rocky off ramp. With another 5 minute walk, you will take a perpendicular tiny path to the left. These paths make a triangle so it's easy to miss.

Pictures: the tiny path. You are taking the small line in the dirt to the left.

Mountain Bike Route

Green patches of grass next to glacial water

Apparently this tiny walking path also serves as a mountain biking course. There is red tape everywhere so I would stick to walking which works well except for the broken foot bridge.

As you continue, the trailhead, the old ski lifts, the forest, and Bunárfoss should come into site from across the valley. With a nice decent around the right of the mountain and a fence to hop, you will head back into Isafjordur.

Obstacles

River Crossing

Not a real obstacle but keep an eye out for the broken bridge. I tried to cross it but lost my footing and the bottom half of me fell in. I was happy it was not cold out but it's not an ideal situation. Luckily, I always bring a towel.

Take a look further upstream for a crossing point and you will be fine with a strong hop across.

Wrap Up

End Time: 1:15pm

The end of the trail had a little obstacle course at the end (for the brave mountain bikers). Since work was starting soon on the east coast, I grabbed the closest scooter and headed back to the house.