Iceland: Valleys & Volcanoes Hike

DAY 1:

Introductions; transfer to Búðir (~3.5hr) with stops at the town of Borgarnes and walks at Eldborg Crater (~6km) and along the coast from Hellnar to Arnarstapi (~3.5km).

Pick up in Reykjavík mid-morning for a transfer up to the southern coast of Snæfellsnes. Stop at the town of Borgarnes for lunch before continuing onto your first of many walks at Eldborg Crater, also known as the “Perfect Crater”. Resume the transfer to your cozy inn, nestled in the shadow of the Snæfellsjökull glacier, made famous in Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth. If you have the time and energy, you’ll have the opportunity to hit the trail again this afternoon for a relaxed walk along the coast from Hellnar to Arnarstapi.

Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 2:

Borgarfjörður; transfer to Reykholt (~1.5hr); walk in Húsafell (~10km); visit Barnafoss and Hraunfossar Falls.

Head inland toward Reykholt, a tiny settlement packed with history and culture, well known as the home of the legendary medieval writer, historian, and politician Snorri Sturluson. The area is also well known for its geothermal activity, and houses one of the country’s oldest structures at Snorralaug geothermal pool. Continue onto the community of Húsafell where you will have a chance to hike into the dense woodlands surrounded by crystal springs, wildflower meadows and historical ruins. After your jaunt, visit Barnafoss (Children’s Falls) and Hraunfossar Falls (Lava Falls) where, weather permitting, you can view the looming Langjökull glacier.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 3:

The Golden Circle; Transfer to Þingvellir Valley (~1.5hrs); walk the Þingvellir Loop (~12.7km).

Start with a drive across the fertile agricultural region of Iceland on your way to visit two of the natural wonders of the world. Gullfoss is an enormous glacial cascade dropping 105 feet into a narrow canyon. The spectacular two-tiered cataract throws up a mist that hangs in the air like fine drizzle, often forming rainbows in the sunlight. Nearby, the Strokkur geyser, younger sibling of the ancient and fabled “Great Geyser” is a sight to behold.

This landmark of Iceland emits an eruption of steam and boiling water every 4-8 minutes, and is truly a natural phenomenon. In nearby Þingvellir National Park you will learn about the history of Iceland and its ancient parliaments while walking along the Mid-Atlantic Rift. See if you can feel the tectonic plates separating! After a walk through the dense vegetation of the National Park, you will be transferred to your next inn in Flúðir. Let your guide/support person know if you’re interested in booking a horseback riding tour this afternoon, at an additional cost.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 4:

Fjallabak Nature Reserve; Transfer to Landmannalaugar (~2hrs); hike Blàhnùkur Summit (~7km); transfer to Flúðir (~2hrs).

Travel to Landmannalaugar via the Dómadalur valley, where your guide/support person will help you choose one of several possible hikes. This unique pearl of the interior is situated in a valley between steep, colourful (yellow, orange, and purple) mountains at the high, dark edge of a rhyolite lava field, where you may even see black obsidian (volcanic glass). Trek through this intoxicating miasma of colour, you will find Icelandic moss fields, meadows of wool grass, steaming springs, and bizarre lava formations, where bright blossoms defy the raw climate.

This magnificent, fragile eco-system seems out of place amidst these volcanic mountains, and you may start believing in elves and fairies as you enjoy bathing in an earth-warmed river. You will quickly understand why Ridley Scott chose this otherworldly place to film his most recent Alien movie, Prometheus.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.

DAY 5:

Westman Islands; transfer to ferry at Landeyjahöfn (~1hr); walk Eldfell Volcano Loop (~6km); transfer to Hveragerði (~1hr).

Today’s adventure explores one of earth’s newest volcanoes, Eldfell (translates to "Hill of Fire"), on the Westman Islands, a collection of 15 islands off the southern coast. After a transfer to Bakkahöfn take a comfortable ferry ride to Heimaey, the only inhabited of the Westman Islands. In January 1973, a volcanic fissure opened just outside of the town of Heimaey.

In the middle of the night, all the inhabitants were evacuated by fishing boat to the mainland. Within three months lava flows and falling tephra had destroyed almost 40% of the town. You will walk through the town, up to the top of Eldfell volcano (still warm just a few centimetres below the surface at the top), and back through the town before taking the ferry back to the mainland. You may have time upon returning to the mainland to visit the impressive Seljalandsfoss or Skógafoss waterfall.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 6:

Hveragerði; walk to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River (~10km); transfer to Reykjavík (~45mins).

You’ll have ample opportunities to relax, rewind, and reflect today in the Hveragerði area. The walk into the Reykjadalur hot springs takes about 45-mintes, and along the way you’ll pass bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and other-worldly landscapes. The further you head upstream, the warmer the water gets! Head back into town where you can spend the rest of the day meandering around town where you’ll find a contemporary Icelandic art museum and botanical garden. Transfer to Reykjavík mid-afternoon where your tour ends.

Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.