World Tour 052-Rif to Djupivogur - Iceland
Iceland, known as the land of fire and ice, provides a stunning backdrop for stage 52 of the tour. Starting at Rif in the Vesturland (Western Region), you'll circle around the large Breiðafjörður Bay to the Vestfirðir (Wesfjords) region, with its stunning coastal mountain and fjord landscape. After exploring the rugged north coast of the island, you'll venture inland to the central landscape dominated by low lying volcanoes and glacial ice caps on the way to the capital city, Reykjavík. The final part of the stage will travel along the south coast, an area of flat coastal lagoons and black sand beaches punctuated by mountains squeezing the Ring Road highway against the shore, to end in Djúpivogur, the final stop before the last part of the Atlantic crossing to Europe
Total Legs: 22 Total Distance: 1057 Total Time(125kts): 8 hours 27 minutes
Leg 1
Flying from BIRF
Leg Distance: 29.83 Approximate time at 125kts: 14 minutes.
BIRF(BIRF) to Olafsvik(POI1)
Distance: 4.55NM Bearing: 117° 2 minutes
After takeoff, head east along the coast past the town of Ólafsvík, once a major trading port between Iceland and mainland Europe
Olafsvik(POI1) to Bulandshofdi(POI2)
Distance: 5.57NM Bearing: 62° 3 minutes
Continue along the coast as it turns to the northeast towards a headland
Bulandshofdi(POI2) to Grundarfjordur(POI3)
Distance: 8.07NM Bearing: 79° 4 minutes
Fly east past another headland, then across Grundarfjörður Bay to another peninsula
Grundarfjordur(POI3) to Bjarnarhofn(POI4)
Distance: 7.64NM Bearing: 96° 4 minutes
Keep flying east past another mountainous headland where you will meet a group of small islands
Bjarnarhofn(POI4) to BIST(BIST)
Distance: 4NM Bearing: 65° 2 minutes
Fly northeast along the north shore of a flat peninsula to Stykkishólmur Airport which lies between the highway and the coast
Leg 2
Flying from BIST
Leg Distance: 49.25 Approximate time at 125kts: 24 minutes.
BIST(BIST) to Hvammsfjordur(POI5)
Distance: 21.11NM Bearing: 98° 10 minutes
Fly east from the airport to the eastern end of Hvammsfjörður, a wide, boot shaped fjord
Hvammsfjordur(POI5) to Hvammsfjordur(POI6)
Distance: 7.92NM Bearing: 41° 4 minutes
Turn northeast to the northern end of the fjord
Hvammsfjordur(POI6) to Stadarholskirkja(POI7)
Distance: 12.72NM Bearing: 354° 6 minutes
Turn north and use the valleys to navigate north across the peninsula to the coast
Stadarholskirkja(POI7) to BIRE(BIRE)
Distance: 7.5NM Bearing: 308° 4 minutes
Fly northwest across the bay to the flat shelf of land on the southern point of the Westfjords, a large mountainous peninsula on the northwestern edge of Iceland. The airport is on the north side of the small village of Reykhólar
Leg 3
Flying from BIRE
Leg Distance: 62.07 Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.
BIRE(BIRE) to Skalmarnesfjall(POI8)
Distance: 13.57NM Bearing: 299° 7 minutes
After takeoff, head northwest along the dramatic coastline to Skálmarnesfjall, a large mountain ridge and headland pointing south into the bay
Skalmarnesfjall(POI8) to Latrabjarg(POI9)
Distance: 30.21NM Bearing: 270° 15 minutes
Continue west along the coast to another headland where the coast turns around to the northwest
Latrabjarg(POI9) to Raudisandur(POI10)
Distance: 8.79NM Bearing: 325° 4 minutes
Follow the coast around to the northwest as the rocky cliffs give way to a large area of beach
Raudisandur(POI10) to Patreksfjordur(POI11)
Distance: 5.27NM Bearing: 27° 3 minutes
From the northwestern end of the beach, turn and fly northeast across the peninsula to Patreksfjörður - Patrick's Fjord
Patreksfjordur(POI11) to BIPA(BIPA)
Distance: 4.23NM Bearing: 127° 2 minutes
Follow the south shore of the fjord southeast to the small airport next to a beach
Leg 4
Flying from BIPA
Leg Distance: 29.53 Approximate time at 125kts: 14 minutes.
BIPA(BIPA) to Osafjordur(POI12)
Distance: 4.62NM Bearing: 120° 2 minutes
After takeoff, head southeast to the eastern end of the bay
Osafjordur(POI12) to Fossfjordur(POI13)
Distance: 7.24NM Bearing: 64° 3 minutes
From the eastern end of the bay, fly northeast over the nearby mountains to another bay, Fossfjörður
Fossfjordur(POI13) to Sudurfirdir(POI14)
Distance: 6.63NM Bearing: 29° 3 minutes
Fly northeast along the bay, and across to the peninsula ahead
Sudurfirdir(POI14) to Arnarfjordur(POI15)
Distance: 5.69NM Bearing: 26° 3 minutes
Continue northeast across Arnarfjörður, one of the larger fjords in this region, and follow the road leading northeast into the mountains from the small historic village of Hrafnseyri
Arnarfjordur(POI15) to Dyrafjordur(POI16)
Distance: 2.94NM Bearing: 354° 1 minutes
As the road crosses a mountain pass it will turn north and descend towards another fjord, Dýrafjörður
Dyrafjordur(POI16) to BITE(BITE)
Distance: 2.41NM Bearing: 309° 1 minutes
As you near a small mountain near the shore, turn northwest and head along the valley to Þingeyri Airport
Leg 5
Flying from BITE
Leg Distance: 39.84 Approximate time at 125kts: 19 minutes.
BITE(BITE) to Dyrafjordur(POI17)
Distance: 11.89NM Bearing: 338° 6 minutes
After takeoff, fly northeast along Dýrafjörður until it reaches the ocean
Dyrafjordur(POI17) to Skalavik(POI18)
Distance: 13.65NM Bearing: 55° 7 minutes
Turn and follow the coast northeast, passing two fjords, Önundarfjörður and Súgandafjörður
Skalavik(POI18) to Bolungarvik(POI19)
Distance: 6.28NM Bearing: 121° 3 minutes
Keep following the coast around to the southeast, passing the rugged coastal cliffs on the way to the town of Bolungarvík
Bolungarvik(POI19) to Skutulsfjordur(POI20)
Distance: 5.02NM Bearing: 153° 2 minutes
After passing Bolungarvík, keep following the coast around to the southeast where you will enter another fjord, Skutulsfjörður
Skutulsfjordur(POI20) to BIIS(BIIS)
Distance: 3NM Bearing: 215° 1 minutes
Follow the bay southwest to the iconic airport, Isafjordur. Runway 8 provides the most challenging approach, typically flown as a left circuit around the end of the bay
Leg 6
Flying from BIIS
Leg Distance: 55 Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.
BIIS(BIIS) to Isafjardardjup(POI21)
Distance: 4.11NM Bearing: 53° 2 minutes
Fly northeast to the waters of Ísafjarðardjúp, one of the larger fjords in the region
Isafjardardjup(POI21) to Kaldalon(POI22)
Distance: 13.43NM Bearing: 114° 6 minutes
Fly across to the eastern shore of the fjord, then follow it southeast until you reach a small bay that leads northeast to the Drangajökull glacier
Kaldalon(POI22) to Bjarnarfjordur(POI23)
Distance: 16.05NM Bearing: 68° 8 minutes
Fly northeast over the Drangajökull glacier to a small bay on the north shore of the Hornstrandir Peninsula
Bjarnarfjordur(POI23) to Drangaskord(POI24)
Distance: 5.24NM Bearing: 124° 3 minutes
As you exit the bay, turn and follow the coast southeast
Drangaskord(POI24) to Ingolfsfjordur(POI25)
Distance: 8.04NM Bearing: 171° 4 minutes
After passing the pointy outcrop of Drangaskörð nature preserve, keep following the coast south where you will enter a small bay to the south of a mountain peninsula
Ingolfsfjordur(POI25) to BIGJ(BIGJ)
Distance: 8.13NM Bearing: 129° 4 minutes
Turn southeast and pass over the narrow stretch of land south of the mountain, then cross the bay to Gjogur Airport on the eastern tip of the next peninsula
Leg 7
Flying from BIGJ
Leg Distance: 47.55 Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.
BIGJ(BIGJ) to Veidileysufjordur(POI26)
Distance: 4.09NM Bearing: 216° 2 minutes
After takeoff, fly southwest (runway heading) towards the stunning mountain scenery across the bay
Veidileysufjordur(POI26) to Grimsey(POI27)
Distance: 14.97NM Bearing: 192° 7 minutes
When you reach ;and, fly south across the mountains, running parallel to the coast, to reach a small island in Húnaflói Bay
Grimsey(POI27) to Heggstadanes(POI28)
Distance: 16.06NM Bearing: 162° 8 minutes
Continue south along the bay until you reach a narrow peninsula which divides the southern end of the bay
Heggstadanes(POI28) to Midfjardara River(POI29)
Distance: 7.26NM Bearing: 158° 3 minutes
Fly along the eastern side of the peninsula to the mouth of the Midfjardará River
Midfjardara River(POI29) to BIHV(BIHV)
Distance: 5.17NM Bearing: 172° 2 minutes
Follow the river south for a few miles to the small dirt airstrip
Leg 8
Flying from BIHV
Leg Distance: 58.59 Approximate time at 125kts: 28 minutes.
BIHV(BIHV) to Vesturhopsvatn(POI30)
Distance: 13.15NM Bearing: 34° 6 minutes
After takeoff, fly northeast to the lake on the eastern side of the hills
Vesturhopsvatn(POI30) to Hvitserkur(POI31)
Distance: 8.06NM Bearing: 13° 4 minutes
Fly north along the base of the hills to an inlet that will lead north to Húnafjörður Bay. Just north of the mouth of the inlet is Hvitserkur, a small basalt rock formation popular with photographers
Hvitserkur(POI31) to Blanda River(POI32)
Distance: 11.61NM Bearing: 89° 6 minutes
Head east across the bay to the Blanda River, which runs southeast from the town of Blönduós
Blanda River(POI32) to Audolfsstadaa River(POI33)
Distance: 8.37NM Bearing: 144° 4 minutes
Follow the river and highway southeast along the foot of the mountains until you reach the smaller Auðólfsstaðaá River, which runs from a valley to the northeast
Audolfsstadaa River(POI33) to Audolfsstadaa River(POI34)
Distance: 2.06NM Bearing: 50° 1 minutes
Follow the valley northeast
Audolfsstadaa River(POI34) to Hvammsa River(POI35)
Distance: 2.02NM Bearing: 350° 1 minutes
The river will become the Hvammsá River as it heads briefly north along another valley
Hvammsa River(POI35) to Skagafjordur(POI36)
Distance: 10.02NM Bearing: 42° 5 minutes
Turn right to follow another valley northeast, then use the valleys to navigate northeast to the shore of Skagafjörður Bay
Skagafjordur(POI36) to BIKR(BIKR)
Distance: 3.3NM Bearing: 121° 2 minutes
As you near the bay, turn southeast over the town of Sauðárkrókur to the airport a mile east of the town
Leg 9
Flying from BIKR
Leg Distance: 37.22 Approximate time at 125kts: 18 minutes.
BIKR(BIKR) to Thordarhofdi(POI37)
Distance: 14.03NM Bearing: 19° 7 minutes
After takeoff, fly north along the bay to Þórðarhöfði, a small mountainous island connected to the mainland by a narrow gravel causeway
Thordarhofdi(POI37) to Gimbrarklettur(POI38)
Distance: 8.97NM Bearing: 48° 4 minutes
Fly northeast over the eastern mouth of the bay to the north coast
Gimbrarklettur(POI38) to Saudanes(POI39)
Distance: 10.01NM Bearing: 61° 5 minutes
Continue northeast across another bay, then keep following the coast northeast
Saudanes(POI39) to Siglufjordur(POI40)
Distance: 1.91NM Bearing: 126° 1 minutes
Follow the coast around to enter the bay heading south
Siglufjordur(POI40) to BISI(BISI)
Distance: 2.3NM Bearing: 206° 1 minutes
Head over the fishing town of Siglufjörður to the airport at the southern end of the bay
Leg 10
Flying from BISI
Leg Distance: 42.37 Approximate time at 125kts: 20 minutes.
BISI(BISI) to Siglunes(POI41)
Distance: 4.16NM Bearing: 41° 2 minutes
Fly northeast along the eastern side of the bay
Siglunes(POI41) to Hvanndalabyrda(POI42)
Distance: 4.52NM Bearing: 132° 2 minutes
Follow the coast southeast, passing to the north of the beautiful Reyðará River valley, then another fjord, Héðinsfjörður. The mountain east of the fjord's entrance is Hvanndalabyrða
Hvanndalabyrda(POI42) to Hrisey(POI43)
Distance: 11.57NM Bearing: 155° 6 minutes
As you continue turning southeast into a large fjord, Eyjafjörður, you will pass the towns of Ólafsfjörður and Dalvik to your right on the way to Hrisey Island in the middle of the fjord
Hrisey(POI43) to BIAR(BIAR)
Distance: 22.12NM Bearing: 170° 11 minutes
Continue all the way to the southern tip of the fjord, and the large town of Akureyri, the largest town outside Iceland's more populated southwest corner. The airport is south of the town
Leg 11
Flying from BIAR
Leg Distance: 35.99 Approximate time at 125kts: 17 minutes.
BIAR(BIAR) to Fnjoska River(POI44)
Distance: 10.3NM Bearing: 34° 5 minutes
After takeoff, climb northeast over the nearby mountain ridge to the picturesque valley on its eastern side, where the Fnjóská River runs north
Fnjoska River(POI44) to Dalsa River(POI45)
Distance: 13.22NM Bearing: 16° 6 minutes
Follow the river north along the valley, then when the river turns away to the west, continue north along the valley with the Dalsá River
Dalsa River(POI45) to Skjalfandi(POI46)
Distance: 4.04NM Bearing: 89° 2 minutes
As you near the coast, climb and cut east over the mountains to reach the large bay, Skjálfandi
Skjalfandi(POI46) to BIHU(BIHU)
Distance: 8.43NM Bearing: 141° 4 minutes
As you cross the bay, head southeast to the airport a couple of miles from the bay's southeastern corner, which serves the town of Husavik to the north
Leg 12
Flying from BIHU
Leg Distance: 51.11 Approximate time at 125kts: 25 minutes.
BIHU(BIHU) to Kistufjall(POI47)
Distance: 8.82NM Bearing: 133° 4 minutes
After takeoff, fly southeast to the nearby mountain ridge as you start the exploration of the Highlands, the sparsely inhabited volcanic desert that covers most of the interior of Iceland
Kistufjall(POI47) to Baearfjall(POI48)
Distance: 4.34NM Bearing: 108° 2 minutes
Flying over the mountains, head a few miles east to Bæjarfjall, a round mountain reminiscent of an inverted crater
Baearfjall(POI48) to Jokulsa a Fjollum(POI49)
Distance: 12.74NM Bearing: 95° 6 minutes
Continue east until you reach a prominent river, Jökulsá á Fjöllum
Jokulsa a Fjollum(POI49) to Jokulsa a Fjollum(POI50)
Distance: 11.27NM Bearing: 182° 5 minutes
Follow the river south. This area of the river is famous for its waterfalls, the most powerful being Dettifoss which is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe
Jokulsa a Fjollum(POI50) to Jorundur(POI51)
Distance: 6.68NM Bearing: 279° 3 minutes
As the river turns southeast, head west to the nearby mountain peak, Jörundur
Jorundur(POI51) to Hlidarfjall(POI52)
Distance: 5.28NM Bearing: 270° 3 minutes
From Jörundur, continue west to another distinct mountain peak, Hlíðarfjall
Hlidarfjall(POI52) to BIRL(BIRL)
Distance: 1.98NM Bearing: 238° 1 minutes
From Hlíðarfjall, turn southwest to nearby Mývatn Airport on the north side of Mývatn Lake
Leg 13
Flying from BIRL
Leg Distance: 35.91 Approximate time at 125kts: 17 minutes.
BIRL(BIRL) to Hverfjall(POI53)
Distance: 3.17NM Bearing: 180° 2 minutes
After takeoff, fly south along the eastern side of the lake, which is part of a larger geothermal area and also contains Hverfjall near the lake shore, a large volcanic crater and popular tourist spot
Hverfjall(POI53) to Burfell(POI54)
Distance: 6.92NM Bearing: 125° 3 minutes
From the crater, head southeast to the large mountain nearby, Búrfell
Burfell(POI54) to Herdubreid(POI55)
Distance: 20.95NM Bearing: 171° 10 minutes
From Búrfell, head south towards another large mountain in the distance, Herðubreið, crossing a low lying mountain range on the way
Herdubreid(POI55) to BIHE(BIHE)
Distance: 4.87NM Bearing: 121° 2 minutes
As you approach the northern face of the mountain, turn southeast and head for Herðubreiðarlindir Airport, a gravel strip on the western bank of the river
Leg 14
Flying from BIHE
Leg Distance: 67.38 Approximate time at 125kts: 32 minutes.
BIHE(BIHE) to Askja(POI56)
Distance: 16.85NM Bearing: 244° 8 minutes
Fly southwest after takeoff, passing to the south of the mountain on the way to Lake Askja. The lake sits in the crater of the Askja Volcano, which was formed by an eruption in 1875
Askja(POI56) to Trolladyngja(POI57)
Distance: 15.02NM Bearing: 247° 7 minutes
Continue southwest across the Ódáðahraun lava field to Trölladyngja, a wide shield volcano rising 600 meters above the surrounding terrain
Trolladyngja(POI57) to Tungnafellsjokull(POI58)
Distance: 19.15NM Bearing: 253° 9 minutes
Keep flying southwest to a small ice cap, Tungnafellsjökull, which lies between two larger ice caps
Tungnafellsjokull(POI58) to Thjorsarlon(POI59)
Distance: 13.83NM Bearing: 264° 7 minutes
Turn west and head for the southeastern corner of Hofsjökull, the third largest ice cap in Iceland, where you will reach a small reservoir among the many streams and rivers east of the ice cap
Thjorsarlon(POI59) to BISP(BISP)
Distance: 2.53NM Bearing: 224° 1 minutes
The airport lies a couple of miles southwest of the reservoir
Leg 15
Flying from BISP
Leg Distance: 67.1 Approximate time at 125kts: 32 minutes.
BISP(BISP) to Arnarfell hid Mikla(POI60)
Distance: 4.87NM Bearing: 308° 2 minutes
After takeoff, head northwest to the small cone shaped peak on the edge of the ice cap
Arnarfell hid Mikla(POI60) to Hofsjokull(POI61)
Distance: 8.69NM Bearing: 270° 4 minutes
Fly west across the southern edge of the ice cap
Hofsjokull(POI61) to Hvitarvatn(POI62)
Distance: 21.7NM Bearing: 268° 10 minutes
Keep flying west over a rocky mountain range to reach Hvítárvatn, a large lake on the eastern edge of Langjökull, the second largest of Iceland's ice caps
Hvitarvatn(POI62) to Sandvatn(POI63)
Distance: 13.16NM Bearing: 233° 6 minutes
Fly southwest to another lake, Sandvatn, passing to the west of the nearby mountain, Bláfell
Sandvatn(POI63) to Gulfoss(POI64)
Distance: 6.31NM Bearing: 182° 3 minutes
Fly south to the Hvita River, famous in this part for the iconic waterfalls of Gulfoss
Gulfoss(POI64) to Hvita River(POI65)
Distance: 10.12NM Bearing: 222° 5 minutes
Follow the Hvítá River southwest until it divides into many smaller streams
Hvita River(POI65) to BIFL(BIFL)
Distance: 2.25NM Bearing: 193° 1 minutes
Flúðir Airport is a couple of miles south of the river, on the north side of the town
Leg 16
Flying from BIFL
Leg Distance: 45.59 Approximate time at 125kts: 22 minutes.
BIFL(BIFL) to Apavatn(POI66)
Distance: 9.01NM Bearing: 292° 4 minutes
After takeoff, head west to the nearby lake, Apavatn
Apavatn(POI66) to Thingvallabaer(POI67)
Distance: 12.86NM Bearing: 303° 6 minutes
Fly northwest to Iceland's second largest lake, Þingvallavatn. At the northern tip of the lake is Þingvallabær, historic site of the original parliament of Iceland from the year 930. The area is also a national park and World Heritage Site
Thingvallabaer(POI67) to Esja(POI68)
Distance: 15.7NM Bearing: 271° 8 minutes
From the lake, fly west and pass along the south side of the nearby Esja mountain range until you reach Kollafjörður Bay
Esja(POI68) to Reykjavikurhofn(POI69)
Distance: 6.63NM Bearing: 254° 3 minutes
Fly southwest across the bay to Reykjavíkurhöfn, the port and harbor of the country's capital city, Reykjavík
Reykjavikurhofn(POI69) to BIRK(BIRK)
Distance: 1.39NM Bearing: 198° 1 minutes
Head south from the harbour to Reykjavik Airport, passing the iconic Hallgrimskirkja cathedral on the way