Volcano and glacier discovery trekking

50 km. 1h 

Arrival at Keflavik international airport. Greeting and transfer to Reykjavík. Settle into your accommodation, dinning at your leisure. 

Staying overnight in a Reykjavik guesthouse 

190 km about 4h transfer and 3-4h of walking 

Head off by bus to Landmannalaugar. The bus takes you through the Domadalur region, rich in volcanoes, and you’ll go along the foot of the Hekla volcano before arriving in Landmanalaugar for lunchtime. Set up your tent in the camping area surrounding the mountain hut. In the afternoon, take your first hike and swim in the hot water spring.

Camping overnight at Landmannalaugar. 

7h of walking 

Your day of hiking begins across Landmannalaugars rhyolite mountain ranges. The path crosses lava fields and climbs up high volcanic plateaus in a setting of technicolor peaks, hot water springs, obsidian fields and solfataras. You are above 1000 metres of altitude, and in another world!

Staying overnight at Landmannalaugar. 

6-7h of walking 

A change of scenery! You leave behind the multicoloured mountain ranges and lava fields to arrive in a region of small lakes and bogs where moss and sparse vegetation come in every shade of green.

Staying overnight by the Kirkjufellsvatn lake at the foot of the imposing tabletop mountain Kirkjufell. 

7-8h of walking 

You walk up along the Tungnaá river that is situated in the middle of a vast glacier valley. Numerous river crossings are necessary to get to the other side of this body of water that courses down the nearby hills. Far-off towards the east, you’ll begin to make out the enormous icecap of the Vatnajökull glacier. 

Staying overnight in the Tungaá valley. 

6-7h of walking 

From the Tungnaá valley, you now enter the Skaftá valley. You cross a mountainous chain and then a black sand desert before arriving at Langisjor, “the long sea,” a huge lake that is fed by the melting ice of the Vatnajökull glacier and extends over 20 km between two glacially carved mountain ranges.

Staying overnight at Langisjór. 

6h of walking 

You walk across the Skaftá valley where, in 1783, the Laki craters produced the lava field of Skaftáreldar, “the fires of Skaftá”. This was the greatest lava eruption since Iceland was first populated. It lasted over a year and devastated almost a third of the Icelandic population with its subsequent famines.

Staying overnight in the Skaftáreldar region. 

7-8h of walking 

We now explore Elgjá, the Earth’s longest explosive fissure that was formed in the tenth century. Observe the rift not only at its widest (up to 600m) but also it’s deepest (about 200m). Walk along the Elgjá rift until you reach the Ófaerufoss waterfall.

Staying overnight by Alftavatn Lake, which you will reach after having crossed a natural lava bridge. 

7-8h of walking 

Walking up soft slopes along majestic valleys, you arrive in the region of the stand-alone peak, Strútur. On the way, you’ll discover a less-known part of the Eldgja rift and stop for a pleasant swim in the natural hot spring of Strútslaug at the foot of the Torfajökull mountain. You find yourself in an especially isolated natural setting that, in August, attracts colonies of wild geese.

Staying overnight at Strútur. 

5-6h of walking 

A less challenging day of walking during which you’ll discover the area south of Torfajökull’s multicoloured acidic volcanic system. It lies across from the volcanic cone of Maelifell whose moss covered slopes stand isolated in the middle of the black sand desert of Maelifellssandur, with Mýrdalsjökull’s icecaps in the background.

Staying overnight in Maelifellssandur. 

7-8h of walking 

You keep advancing through the dark desert of Maelifellssandur. To the south, the black and white of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier dominates the view. A few pyramid like volcanoes covered in moss add a rare touch of colour to this volcanic landscape.

Staying overnight in Emstrur, near the Markarfljót canyon and in front of the Mýrdalsjökull glacial lagoon. 

6-7h of walking 

You keep descending following verdant valleys and crossing little mountain passes until the Emstrur ravine; the glacier tongues of Myrdalsjökull come here to melt several kilometres up. As you descend, the vegetation becomes progressively more abundant and the first dwarf birch trees announce your arrival in the forests of Thor. Thorsmörk. Your arrival in the glacial valley and the white birch forests is enchanting after the desert crossing the day before. And the comfortable mountain hut is definitely a welcome sight!

Staying overnight in Thorsmörk. 

3-4h of walking and 4h transfer. 

Spend a relaxing morning around the mountain hut or choose to walk one of the many surrounding hikes. You can visit the Sönghellir cave or scale the little mountain of Valahnukur from where you’ll have a magnificent view of the valley. In early afternoon board the bus back to Reykjavik.

Dine at your leisure and enjoy your last night in a Reykjavik guesthouse. 

Day at your leisure in Reykjavik and overnight in a guesthouse.

50km about 1 h 

Transfer to Keflavik international airport

The itinerary and walking times are meant to give you an idea of the trek. They can be modified by your guide based on the state of the trails, the weather and the group’s pace. The walking times include pauses, stops and lunch breaks.