This trip is specially designed for those who are planning an outdoor holiday in Iceland, but are hesitating between taking part in a proper trek or discovering a larger part of this large, diverse island by 4x4 vehicle. The firs week is an overland journey on the South Coast with lots of wonderful, shorter walks. The second week is a serious trek, crossing some of the most spectacular landscapes of the interior. Importantly though, it is supported i.e. a 4x4 truck carries all personal effects, heavy equipment and supplies.

This walking trip is Specially suited for nature lovers, who dream of discovering the unique mountains and shore of Iceland by foot,

Highway Number One on the South part of Iceland is truly among the world's most spectacular driving routes - a narrow black ribbon of tarmac running through ever changing sceneries.  To it's South, the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean, with more than 10000 miles of open water before the cost of Antarctica.

We will discover the most secret part of the Southern Highlands and the strange but magnificent South Coast that hosts the huge Vatnajökull glacier. Hiking frequently, we will experience the stunning diversity of this "huge small land". Stopping by small settlements such as Vík í Myrdal or Kirkjubæjarklaustur, we will also have a chance to meet the original Icelandic culture, the result of a long fight between this courageous people and nature's harsh forces. To the North, a mysterious chaos of mountains, volcanoes and glaciers - and the highlands spirit is always calling you. But how to answer these calls? Well, we know some secret trails...

The second part of the trip is a beautiful assisted trek. This concentrated itinerary is part of our collection of trips that speak to the purist hiker with a spirit of adventure. . The Hekla volcano has always fascinated man and the magic that revolves around its reputation, which goes well beyond Icelands' shores. Considered during the Middle Ages as an access to hell, Ancient Rome, in it's day, advised fishermen to see for themselves what lay beyond if they ventured as far. The volcano's eruptions often ruined the countryside and was the source of worry for the islands' people, who feared and revered the volcano at the same time. But what was feared the most was that an eruption from one of the faces of the volcano would ruin its perfect shape. This beautiful strato-volcano (a volcanic edifice built over centuries through a series of volcanic eruptions) is still active and closely monitored by the volcanologists' seismographs. We hike around the entire volcano from a reasonably safe distance in order to maintain safety and we stay informed of the relative volcanic activity before attempting to ascend the volcano. The hike to the summit will also depend on a favourable weather outlook. With the exception of a lightweight day pack, all equipment and luggage is transported by a 4x4 support vehicle, which will make numerous detours in order to meet us at our evening destination. The guide is linked by radio to our base station in Reykjavik and to 4x4 vehicle assistance if required. 

 

 

FJALLABAK - PO BOX 1622 - 121 Reykjavik - Iceland - tel : +354 511 3070 - fax: +354 511 3071 - info@fjallabak.is