Repairing tracks in Dalir - Sagaland (2:2)

PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be joining a project in Hvammsfjörður with the local municipality of Dalabyggð, in the north-west of Iceland. The village in Hvammsfjörður, Búðardalur lies at the north-eastern end of Snæfellsnes peninsula and next to the West fjords.

In the first week of the project volunteers will mostly be in Laugar repairing tracks, signposts and tidying up the area and surroundings of the near the natural pool called Gudrunarlaug. According to the history Gudrun Osvifursdóttir used to dwell by a geothermal pool. The original pool is believed to have been destroyed in a landslide but in 2009 a new pool was built near to the location where the old pool is thought to have been situated and named Gudrunarlaug.

In the second week SEEDS volunteers will have the amazing opportunity to go to Eiríksstaðir a historic site of Eirík the RED, who pioneered the settlement of Greenland. Volunteers will repair tracks and steps near the settlement building, tidying up the surrounding and other tasks.

Duties can be physically demanding and may require a good physical condition.

ACCOMMODATION:  SEEDS volunteers will stay in a well-equipped school house, in shared rooms/dorms in a sleeping bag accommodation, cleaning facilities are located in another house close to the school. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The project will take place in the West of Iceland; in a district called Dalabyggð ('Valley district'). Dalabyggð, was formed in 1994 when 8 municipalities were merged.  The only town of Dalabyggð is Búðardalur, with about 300 inhabitants is a service center for the area.  The village has a long history, dating from the time of the first settlements in Iceland. The name means "Camp Valley", or more directly "dale of booths"; it is where settlers had temporary camps when coming to the area.

At a short distance from the village is Eiríksstaðir, the homestead of Erik the Red, who discovered Greenland and whose son Leifur Eiríksson, born at Eiríksstaðir, discovered America ahead of Columbus.

There are many valleys in Dalir and often it is unclear where one starts and another ends. Further away from the coastline lie the many islands of Breiðarfjörður in all their glory which form a magnificent view when bathed in the light of the setting sun over this great fjord. The area is popular with hikers who can choose from many different paths and routes ranging from ‘easy’ to ‘challenging’ and ‘difficult’.   

Dalabyggð is not only famous for hiking, it has been mentioned in many of the Sagas and was the setting in two of the very famous Viking sagas from 850 to 1300. Strong women have always played a key role in the history of Dalir. One of the first settlers of Iceland was Auður djúpuðga (The Deep-Minded) from Hvammur who played a vital role in freeing bonded men and claiming vast areas of land in Dalir.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 350 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

The fee includes the domestic transportation from Reykjavík to the campsite and back (on the first and last day of the camp). Departure time will be at 9:00 in the morning on August 7.

Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors and be prepared to experience all kinds of weather. Bring warm clothes as the project takes place outside and the weather can be cold.

Volunteers need to be prepared for physical and demanding work.

Our hosting partner will organise some free time activities in the area; for instance going to a swimming pool and an excursion in the area.