Tindastóll

Start right behind the information panel describing the hike (Icelandic only). Take the right fork of the gravel road heading uphill. After an initial zig-zag, the road heads straight up. Follow it for about 0.6 km, then veer right following the white tipped stakes. On the lower slopes, there is plenty of vegetation and the trail is well formed.

The grade is moderate and the views across the fjord to the east and behind towards Sauðárkrókur and the mountains beside it are only getting better with altitude.

As you gain in altitude, the terrain underfoot changes from shrubs and grass to dirt and gravel. There will be some muddy spots, especially early in the summer when snow is still melting.

After about 3km of fairly constant upwards climbing, the grade mellows as you cross a high plateau. The melting snow here creates mesmerizing multi-hued streaks in the dirt.

The trail across the plateau is vague. For navigation, head slightly north-west, and look for trail markers painted white on prominent rocks.

At 3.2km (650m of altitude) you’ll start the first steep section of the hike, heading slightly eastward across the hillside. Look for a small cairn with a trail marker atop.

Ahead of you, a well defined knob looks unassailable but can be bypassed on the right. As you get closer, take note of the multicolored volcanic rocks peppering the ground.

After a quick scramble to get to the plateau, turn back towards the knob, which offers an excellent observation point for the valley below (coordinates: 65.778495° N, 19.715870° W).

At the top, you are on a vast high plateau with most of the climbing behind you. Walk eastwards across the barren, rocky landscape, tracing along the edge.

A good stopping point is a cairn at 65.780053° N, 19.711783° W.

Look for a small outlier on the cliff’s edge near the cairn for a lunch spot with a bird's-eye vantage point. The views across Skagafjörður are magnificent. On a clear day you can clearly see the village of Hofsós across the bay and behind it the mountainous background of Tröllaskagi. To the south, you’ll see the village of Sauðárkrókur and to its right, another eminently climbable peak - Molduxi.

Continuing across the plateau yields diminishing results in terms of views and sheer hiking pleasure. The highest point is at around 950m and requires hiking another 2km (each way). When we hiked the mountain in mid June 2021, snow and an impending storm made further progress across the plateau (past the first ledge) undesirable.

To return, retrace your steps to the parking area at the bottom.