Thorvaldsdalur Wilderness Run 7th July. Drive from the South of Iceland to Akureyri, the capital of the North, enjoying the scenic landscape on Route 1. Participate in the Thorvaldsdalur Wilderness Run the oldest terrain run in Iceland: a wild cross-country run through a valley that takes you through snow patches, sheep tracks, streams and marshes.
Itinerary for Highlights of the North and South and the Wilderness Run 7th July 2012
All Iceland is offering organised self drive Trail Run package, 5 days and 4 nights from £555 per person sharing a double/twin room (excluding flight).
This includes:
- Small Hertz rental car, picked up and returned to Keflavik International Airport
- 2 nights accommodation Reykjavik, private facilities
- 2 nights in the countryside, private facilities
- Race fee
- Iceland Road Atlas and Map
- Detailed itinerary which we will help put together with you
- All Iceland contact number to help you to book accommodation and excursions should you decide to change your plans whilst on holiday
Excluding:
-Flight from UK
-Travel insurance
-Optional Excursions
Day 1: Thursday
Departure from UK
Arrival in Keflavik afternoon or evening
Pick up the rental car at the airport
Option 1
Relax in the Blue Lagoon on your way to Reykjavik
Use the afternoon and the evening to explore the Golden Circle the highlights of the south-west. Drive to Thingvellir, the national park and original location of the oldest Parliament in the world. Drive from Thingvellr through Lyngdalsheidi to Laugarvatn. From there, drive to Geysir and Gullfoss. From Gullfoss, drive back to Reykjavik. This trip should take 6-8 hrs, with about 3 hrs of driving. There will be sunlight through the night.
Overnight stay in Reykjavik
Option 2
Drive from the South of Iceland to Akureyri, the capital of the North enjoying the scenic landscape along Route 1. One the way, stop at Borgarnes, a small picturesque village. Hraunfossar and Barnafossar are natural gems not to be missed.
Check in at hotel in Akureyri
Day 2: Friday
Option 1
Check out from the hotel in Reykjavik
Drive from the South of Iceland to Akureyri, the capital of the North (380 km), enjoying the scenic landscape along Route 1. One the way, stop at Borgarnes, a small picturesque village. Hraunfossar and Barnafossar are natural gems not to be missed.
Check in at hotel in Akureyri
Option 2
Myvatn offers a unique natural environment and is about 2 hrs´ drive away from Akureyi. Explore Myvatn area, Dimmuborgir and Namaskard. Visit the town of Husavik and experience whale watching.
Check in at hotel in Akureyri.
Enjoy evening in Akureyri
Day 3: Saturday
Race day
Thorvaldsdalur Wilderness Rune is the oldest terrain run in Iceland. It is a wild cross-country run through a valley that takes you through snow patches, sheep tracks, streams and marshes.
About the race
Distance 25km
Thorvaldsdalur Wilderness Run is the oldest terrain run in Iceland. It took place for the first time in 1994 and has done every year since. The run takes place on first Saturday in July each year in the Þorvaldsdalur Valley in Northern Iceland (about 20 km north of the town of Akureyri).
The Þorvaldsdalur valley is peculiar in the sense that it opens in both directions, into the Horgardalur valley in the south and onto Arskogsstrond by the shore of the fjord Eyjafjordur in the north. The run starts by the Fornhagi farm in the Horgardalur valley at 90m above sea level. The finish line is by Arskogsskoli school at about 60m above sea level. The first part is relatively steep and in about 5km you reach 500m above sea level. The total distance is around 26km.
Challenging terrain
The terrain is probably the most challenging a runner can encounter and very different from the street runs to which most runners are accustomed.
Most of the time, you run in the wilderness with sheep tracks as your best choice. The sheep tracks disappear altogether in some places and you run over mounds, stones and marches in places. There is even an old rockslide that has to be passed.
There are four service stations offering drinks on the way, after 5km, 12km, 17km and 21km. Safety officers from the local rescue team are in place for assistance.
Practical information
The run starts at 12:00 p.m. at the Fornhagi farm in Horgardalur valley (half an hour´s drive from hotel). A bus from Arskogsskoli (finish line) will leave at 11:00 a.m. and take runners to the start.
Cut-off time for the run is at 4:00 p.m.
The three first runners in all groups receive prizes from the runners´ shop Afreksvorur in Reykjavik.
Walking
Those who do not want to run have the opportunity to join the event by walking through the Thorvaldsdalur valley. The ramblers walk the distance with a local guide and start from Fornhagi farm at 9:00 a.m. (They can show up at the finish line at 8:15 a.m. for a ride to the start). Those who expect to need more than four hours to finish the run can join the walking group. The walkers have to register and pay registration fee as well as the runners.
The number of participants is around 50. The best time is 2 hrs and 4 secs and the oldest participant was 79 years old.
The race will finish at about 4.00 p.m.
Option 1
Relax after the race in one of the lovely swimming pools in Akureyri
Explore the Akureyri area and enjoy the evening in the capital of North
Option 2
Relax after the race in one of the lovely swimming pools in Akureyri area
Drive back to Reykjavik and enjoy the evening in Reykavik, the capital
Overnight stay in Reykjavik
Day 4: Sunday
Option 1
Relax in the Blue Lagoon
Use the day to explore the Golden Circle, the highlighs of the south-west. Drive to Thingvellir, the national park and oroginal location for the oldest Parliament in the world. Drive from Thingvellr through Lyngdalsheidi to Laugarvatn. From there, drive to Geysir and Gullfoss. From Gullfoss, drive back to Reykjavik. This trip should take 6-8 hrs, with about 3 hrs of driving. There will be sunlight through the night.
Enjoy Reykjavik
Owernight stay in Reykjavik
Option 2
Drive back to Reykjavik and enjoy the evening in Reykavik, capital
Overnight stay in Reykjavik
Day 5: Monday
Return the rental car at the Keflavik Airport, morning or afternoon flight from Keflavik.
Price from £555 per person sharing double/twin room*
*If you choose a single room we will do our best to find you a single room at no extra charge or a minimal one-off charge. Please enquire below.
*If you choose a family room for three or more persons, we will do our best to find a better deal for you and your family/friends. Please enquire below.
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