Hiking the Land of Fire and Ice

Hiking the Land of Fire and Ice Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Reykjavik, Iceland.  Early this morning, we’re met by our Icelandic guide and begin the drive to the Reykjanes region where we’ll pass lava fields, hot springs and unusual geological formations en route to our lodging in the village of Hveragerdi. Hveragerdi is built over an active geothermal area and the natural heat source provides warmth to a large number of local greenhouses used for growing fruits and vegetables year-round.  After checking into our guesthouse and eating lunch, we'll choose from a variety of interesting hiking routes that run through the surrounding hills before returning to our guesthouse and relaxing in the naturally-heated steam bath before dinner.  All meals included.

• Day 2

  We travel east along the Ring Road (the one road that encircles the entire island) this morning alongside towering moss-covered cliffs, past small herds of Icelandic horses and through charming rural villages. Along our route, we'll visit two of the many dramatic waterfalls fed by the Eyjafjallajökull Glacier; Seljalandsfoss and 200-foot-high Skógarfoss – one of Iceland's prettiest cascades. We'll also stop at Dyrholaey, an immense natural rock arch spanning 165 feet and jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. This protected area is a prominent nesting site for numerous species of seabirds and is one of the best locations in southern Iceland to spot puffins. We continue east across black sand deserts formed in the aftermath of numerous sub-glacial eruptions, ultimately arriving at photogenic Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon. At the lagoon, we'll have an opportunity to take a boat tour past house-sized icebergs deposited in the water by the nearby Breidamerkurjokull glacier. Our final destination this afternoon is glorious Skaftafell National Park, a jumble of rugged peaks, massive glaciers and iceberg-filled lakes spanning almost 600 square miles and offering a myriad of trails for the hiking enthusiast. We spend the next two nights in a small hotel near Skaftafell. All meals included.

• Day 3

  A full day of hiking today in Skaftafell.  The park encompasses part of the great Vatnajokul icecap – the world’s largest icecap outside of the Polar Regions – and the mighty Skaftafell glacier that falls spectacularly from the main icefield all the way to the lowlands thousands of feet below.  We explore Skaftafellsheidi heath, with views of the Skaftafellsjökull glacier on one side and the Morsárdalur valley, decorated with colorful rhyolite mountains, on the other.  In the bottom of the valley, huge blocks of ice lie scattered after falling from cliffs 1000 feet high.  The scenery here is truly breathtaking!  Weather permitting, we climb up Kristínartindar (3500’) which towers over the heath, giving us unparalleled views of the surrounding glaciers and peaks including Hvannadalshnukur, Iceland's highest mountain (6950’).  All meals included.

• Day 4

  We bid farewell to Skaftafell today and continue by vehicle between the giant icecaps of Vatnajokull and Myrdalsjokull, en route to the gorge of Eldgja (Fire Fissure).  Another of Iceland’s incredible natural attractions, Eldgja is a 25-mile-long volcanic rift formed during a violent 10^th-century eruption which produced the greatest amount of lava ever recorded.  We take some time to hike into the rift and visit Ofaerufoss waterfall, a locally well-known cascade appearing in the Icelandic film In the Shadow of the Raven.  Continuing west towards the colorful volcanic region of Landmannalauger, we enter the Fjallabak (Behind the Mountains) Nature Reserve whose surface is predominantly covered with pitch-black lava and pumice stone. We camp for the next two evenings at an established site located near a natural hot spring (perfect bathing temperature!), the ideal location from which to explore this wild and unique area.  All meals and camping gear included.

• Day 5

  We spend the entire day on foot exploring this remote highland oasis surrounded by vividly-colored rhyolite mountains, fissures, glacial lakes and obsidian lava.  We have numerous routes to choose from and ample time to truly immerse ourselves in this hiker’s paradise.  We return to our campsite this evening and share stories over a hearty dinner prepared by our guides.  All meals included.

• Day 6

  As we begin to make our way back towards Reykjavik, we travel along a scenic network of backcountry dirt roads that grant the only access to the Fjallabak, occasionally making shallow river crossings in our vehicle. We'll stop at Ljotipollur, a spectacular lake that has formed in the crater of an extinct volcano before continuing on to Mt. Hekla (4,890'), one of the island's most active volcanoes (last erupting in 2000). If conditions permit, we'll attempt to climb Hekla (approx. 2,900' elevation gain, non-technical) passing a number of fairly resent lava floes and crossing a gentle snow slope en route to the summit. The top of the mountain radiates enough heat to keep it snow-free year-round. After returning to the trailhead, we board our vehicle for the 30-minute drive to our hotel. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 5-6 hours. Elevation gain: 2600'

• Day 7

  Today we follow the main road to Gullfoss (Golden Falls), one of Iceland's most spectacular natural wonders. This magnificent double waterfall tumbles into a deep canyon and the nearby trail network allows us to get within arm's reach of the cascading torrent. Close by is the Great Geysir (which has given its name to all other such water spouts around the world) and its more reliable companion Strokkur. Although the Great Geysir is only active a few times each week, Strokkur erupts every 10 minutes, spouting water almost 70 feet in the air. We'll explore the steaming vents, mud pots and fumaroles of this active geothermal area before continuing on to Thingvellir National Park, the site of the world's oldest democratic parliament dating back to 930 A.D. Thingvellir became Iceland's first national park in 1928, not only due to its great historical significance but also because of its haunting natural beauty. In geological terms, this area is also of great interest because nowhere else in Iceland can the divergent drift of the American and Eurasian plates be seen more clearly. A five kilometer wide strip of land in between the plates has sunk over 180 feet in the past 10.000 years and a rift valley has formed. We'll go for a short walk in the rift valley and around the site of the ancient parliament and learn more about Iceland's fascinating cultural history. All meals included.

• Day 8

  We'll spend the day hiking in the hills around Mt. Hengill and possibly have an opportunity to walk up the mountain itself. This area is unique for its geothermal activity and during our hike we'll encounter lava fields, hot springs and unusual geological formations. The summit of Hengill, Skeggi, offers outstanding views and our goal will be to reach the top. In mid-afternoon, we'll climb back aboard our vehicle and proceed to our hotel in central Reykjavik. Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital, is filled with brightly-painted buildings, numerous parks, a wide variety of cultural attractions and a vibrant nightlife. A celebration dinner is planned for this evening in a downtown café, giving us an opportunity to relax, exchange memories and enjoy the company of newfound friends. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 6-7 hours. Elevation gain:2300' – 2600'

• Day 9

  After breakfast, we'll have a few hours for additional exploration of this colorful city before driving to the Blue Lagoon for a final soak. The Blue Lagoon is a large, manmade pool heated by the mineral-rich waters of the nearby geothermal plant and has been endorsed by the Icelandic surgeon-general for its curative properties. Most Icelandair flights returning to the US depart in late afternoon, and we'll arrive at Keflavik Airport (30 miles from Reykjavik) with ample time to check in. Breakfast included.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

Hotel/guesthouse accommodations with private baths (6 nights) and camping accommodations (2 nights); all meals as noted on the daily itinerary; guides; group transfer from/to Keflavik Airport; transportation within Iceland; group camping gear including tents and sleeping bags; boat cruise on Jokulsarlon Lake; entrance to all national parks and Blue Lagoon thermal pool.

Air transportation; 1 lunch and 1 dinner; alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; hot springs entrance fees and towel rentals; fees for showers at campgrounds; guide gratuities; travel insurance; laundry expenses and items of a personal nature.

This adventure is rated Moderate [3]. It is not necessary to be an expert hiker to participate, but you should enjoy hiking and feel comfortable spending 3-6 hours on-trail during most days. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least 3 months prior to departure. Recommended exercises include hiking, jogging, cycling and/or swimming. The better shape you are in, the more fun you will have. Get out on those hills if possible!

Southwestern Iceland's climate is strongly influenced by the warm Gulf Stream waters and prevailing southwesterly winds. While these forces act to moderate year-round temperatures, they also, in concert with Iceland's mountainous geography, produce extremely variable weather conditions across the island. Summer temperatures generally range from the mid to high 50s during the day, dropping into the high 40s-low 50s at night. While clear weather is not unusual during June, July and August, at least some rainfall is a strong possibility during any month. Participants must be prepared for weather extremes that vary greatly from region to region as we travel through the country.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

Weather

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider