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Iceland Walking Tour Itinerary
A 2009 PDF ITINERARY WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY
Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.
DAY 1
Hengill Volcano
Hike – moderate, 4-5 hours on hiking trails and rocky terrain. There will be stream crossings.
Upon meeting our guide in Reykjavík we head for Hengill Volcano. This active volcanic ridge is filled with the hot springs, striking colors, and bizarre lava formations that define the “land of fire and ice.” We begin our first hike in a geothermal field, where sulfurous vapors rise from the ground. After some time, we come to a viewpoint overlooking a lush green valley and the amazing sight of a steaming-hot river. From here, we hike downhill and enjoy a picnic lunch and perhaps a dip in the naturally warm water. After lunch, we continue down the trail past bubbling steam vents, taking in views across the southern plains to the northern Atlantic.
On the way to our hotel, we stop at Seljalandsfoss, where we can hike behind the falls. This afternoon we arrive in Hvolsvöllur, and our country hotel for the next two evenings awaits.
Hotel Skógar, Hvolsvöllur
DAY 2
Skógafoss Waterfall and
Sólheimajökull Glacier
Walk
Hike – moderate, about 2 hours on hiking trails, with approximate elevation gain and loss of 1,500’, and glacier walk – about 3 hours on ice with crampons.
This morning we hike past the impressive Skógafoss, a 200-foot-high cascade that often produces rainbows in its mist. Reaching the top of the falls, we continue hiking along Skogá River. We pass many beautiful waterfalls and, on a clear day, we can see glaciers in the distance, including Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull. This is true Icelandic wilderness on the heath, with fantastic views towards the coast.
Upon returning to Hvolsvöllur, there may be time to visit the local country museum, boasting an impressive collection of historic farming and fishing tools, as well as folk crafts spanning hundreds of years. The museum’s curator is a national treasure himself, often personally offering the grand tour of his collection. This is also one of the few places in the country to explore authentic sod houses, which were the primary form of shelter for many Icelanders until the 20th century.
After lunch, we depart for
Sólheimajökull Glacier, where we meet Iceland's most experienced mountain guides, who supply us with all the equipment we need for an adventurous glacier walk. This non-technical experience brings us up close to the world of ice and glaciers.
Hotel Skógar, Hvolsvöllur
DAY 3
Fjadrárgljúfur and Systravatn
Hikes – easy to moderate, about 3.5 hours on hiking trails.
Our drive this morning takes us through the south sand desert past icecaps and active volcanoes. Along the way, we hike along Fjadrárgljúfur canyon, a beautifully eroded canyon overlooking Eldhraun. Eldhraun, a seemingly endless lava field, was formed in 1783 during the most devastating volcanic eruption in the history of Iceland. Upon arriving to Kirkjubaejarklaustur, we hike to Sisters’ Bluff (named for two nuns – one good and one evil). We ascend a trail past a waterfall and through a small birch grove, before arriving at the top of the bluff. From here, expansive views of rolling prairie extend to the horizon beyond the shores of Systravatn (Sisters’ Lake).
After our hike we travel to our hotel, nestled amongst the spectacular scenery we have been enjoying throughout our journey.
Hotel Laki, Vik
DAY 4
Skaftafell National Park and Jökulsárlón Boat Trip
Hike – easy to moderate, 2 hours on hiking trails.
After breakfast, we drive across Skeiðarársandur, a vast river delta formed by runoff from nearby glaciers. Catastrophic flooding occurs here regularly, as geothermal activity melts the glaciers and causes a tremendous amount of water to flood the delta. Across the delta is Skaftafell National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, whose presence lords over the surrounding landscape. Our hike begins from the park’s visitor’s center, and steadily climbs up through birch forest to a plateau. Here, the landscape turns to tundra, and the views are magnificent in all directions. We stop to rest at a point overlooking Skaftafellsökull, a massive tongue of Vantnajökull glacier. Gaping crevasses attest to the constant movement of these seemingly still glaciers. From our overlook, we follow a gentle descent through the tundra to Svartifoss, a beautiful cascade framed by basalt columns.
From Skaftafell we continue to Jökulsárlón, stopping along the way for a picnic lunch at the base of a glacier. At Jökulsárlón, we board a small amphibious boat to venture into the ice-filled lagoon, where we are dwarfed by dozens of floating icebergs.
Hotel Laki, Vik
DAY 5
Highland Expedition and Landmannalaugar
Hikes – easy to moderate, total of about 3 hours.
Today we have the special experience of venturing into the Icelandic highlands for a day of hiking and soaking in a hot river, whose soothing waters are heated by gases and magma from deep beneath the earth’s crust. The highland roads are unpaved, and we join other adventurers to ford rivers in a specialized bus. We take the Fjallabak (the “route behind the mountains”) to Landmannalaugar, an area of multicolored rhyolite mountains and hot springs. Along the way, there may be time to hike into the volcanic rift of Eldjá, through a landscape of moss-covered boulders. At Landmannalaugar, there are additional hiking opportunities, as well as the option to soak in a natural hot river before a picnic lunch. This afternoon, we continue to Thingvellir National Park and our perfectly-located hotel.
Hotel Valhöll, Thingvellir National Park
DAY 6
Thingvellir National Park and transfer Olafsvik
Hike – easy, 2 hours over mostly flat but occasionally rocky hiking trails. Optional horseback riding (at additional expense) or additional hike – easy to moderate, 2-3 hours.
This morning we explore Thingvellir, a national park of great historic significance to the Icelandic people. The park is home to Iceland’s first parliament, established in 930. Each summer, representatives from communities around the country would journey here to establish laws and resolve disputes. The journey could take weeks over the rugged terrain. There are many options for hiking from our hotel, and we spend the morning traversing the parliament plains. We also explore a natural phenomenon that makes Thingvellir an important geological site – here we are standing on the rift between the Eurasian and North American plates which are constantly, over the millennia, drifting apart.
After lunch, we depart for the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Along the way, we have the option to ride Icelandic horses at a local farm on the coast. These friendly horses have been selectively bred for centuries to produce an animal that is even-tempered, strong, and has great endurance. They also have a very smooth gait – the tölt – that makes riding a wonderfully comfortable experience even for novice riders. Those who prefer to hike can take a trail to nearby Eldborg, and look into an immense crater created in an eruption more than 5,000 years ago.
Later this afternoon, we check into our hotel, located in a traditional fishing village along the coast.
Hotel Hellissandur, Olafsvik
DAY 7
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Hiking – easy to moderate, about 2 hours. Optional additional hike, easy to moderate, 2-4 hours.
This morning we hike between the fishing hamlets of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, situated at the foot of Mt. Stapafell on the southern side of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. According to the Bardar Saga, this mythological being -- half-man, half-ogre -- lived in a cave in the northern slopes of this mountain. In addition to colorful mythology, our hike this morning features coastal cliffs occupied by diverse colonies of seabirds, including kittiwakes, fulmars and razorbills and many others.
Next, a short drive to brings us to Djúpalónsandur, a black cobblestone beach strewn with the remnants of a trawler that was shipwrecked there in 1948. We have time to explore the beach and contemplate the treacherous waters of the northern Atlantic, often so serene in the summer months.
After some free time for lunch in one of the Peninsula's small villages, there is the option to return to Olafsvik for a leisurly afternoon, or to join your guide for one final hike in Snaefellsnes National Park, with more amazing views of the Snaefellsjokull Glacier. Tonight, we enjoy a final celebratory dinner and toast our Icelandic adventure under the midnight sun.
Hotel Hellissandur, Olafsvik
DAY 8
Transfer to Reykjavík & farewell
This morning we depart early for our transfer to Reykjavík. In Reykjavík, we are free to enjoy lunch in one of the restaurants in the city center before being transported to Keflavík Airport in time for flights home.