Borgarfjordur fjord is a fjord in the west of Iceland close to the town of Borgarnes. The many flat islands lying in the fjord are for the most part uninhabited. The land around the fjord has been inhabited since the time of Icelandic settlement. Events in the Icelandic sagas such as that of Egill Skallagrímsson are situated here.
The name of the fjord seems to have come from the farm Borg, which according to the sagas was founded by Egill's father Skallagrímur, who took the land around the fjord and accordingly gave the fjord the name of Borgarfjordur fjord.
The Borgarfjordur fjord region is known for its great natural beauty. Hiking lovers are going to love Borgarfjordur fjord since it is famous for the excellent hiking trails named "Víknaslódir" leading to the deserted fjords and coves, Víkur, and to Lodmundarfjordur. The area has become a hiker´s paradise with local people marking numerous trails. The marked trails range from 1 hour to a full day. Hiking is very popular, due to the beautiful birch forest of Húsafellsskógur, which has the special feature of trees reaching more than 4 meters, which is unusual in Island due to strong winds. Borgarfjordur fjord is also the home of the Queen of Elves. It is possible to walk to the hill "Álfaborg" - "The Elves´Castle" where the queen of the Icelandic elves allegedly resides with her court. Nearby you will find two of the most significant waterfalls of the area, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, which are located right beside each other.
Iceland is a truly magical place! Its name truly characterizes the region. Don’t let the cold scare you off since temperatures in winter might be higher than other well-known cities. Splendid glaciers, active volcanoes, natural wonders, friendly locals and gorgeous views await you! It is a country of extreme geological contrasts, also known as "The Land of Fire and Ice", or the land of light and darkness with long summer days that can last 24 hours to short winter days where daylight is only for a few hours. Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated counties in the world and its culture has been shaped by isolation and extreme forces of nature. Guess what, at this unique country locals use geothermal energy to heat more than ninety percent of their buildings and most of the swimming pools, isn’t it impressive?
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