Storurd

Storurd sits in a hollow below the Dyrfjoll, the notched mountains above Borgarfjordur Eystri, and the boulders that give it its name are enormous - blocks the size of buildings, left when a glacier that filled the basin collapsed and dropped its load. Between them are pools of clear water over pale gravel that read turquoise in sunlight, and grass grows in the sheltered gaps. There is no road: the shortest approach is a marked path from the Vatnsskard pass, two to three hours in over a saddle, with the same walk back. Snow lies in the hollow late, and the route is usually not clear until July.

Highlights

• Boulders the size of buildings - dropped by a collapsing glacier.
• Turquoise pools between blocks - clear water over pale gravel.
• The Dyrfjoll above - the notched ridge that dominates the area.
• A walk of two to three hours - no vehicle access at all.

When to go

July to early September, once the snow clears the pass. Five to seven hours.

What to expect

This is a full day of walking with a climb at both ends, and it is often cloud-covered - people arrive to see nothing. The pools only look turquoise in sun. There is no shelter, no water source you should drink untreated and no facilities.

Nearby

Borgarfjordur Eystri is north; Egilsstadir is inland to the west.