Fjallabak

Through unknown territories with an highly professional guide who knows the secret paths to adventure

FJALLABAK is a fully licensed travel agency by the Icelandic government and member of SAF, the Icelandic Travel Industry Association.

Matthildur Filippusdottir Patay is the chief executive of Fjallabak. She has taken over the flag to carry on the family business that she has a lot of passion for. Fjallabak is a dynamic family business that has been organizing treks and ski expeditions in Iceland since the early 70’s.

The name of the company, means “Behind the Mountains” in English. It is the name of a famous trail, which snakes its way through the desert landscape of the volcanic highlands between Mt. Hekla and the icecaps along the south coast. This vast and incredible territory remains mostly “unexplored” by classical tourism. The access is not very easy because nature there remains a powerful actor.

We specialize in high-quality supported trekking, backpacking, walking and discoveries for small groups. We organise ski trips and slow travel adventures, such as birdwatching, whale watching or geology tours… We are used to organizing trips for private groups and "A la carte" such as self-drive and self guided tours. Occasionally, we work with film shootings and incentive events.

As we have been in the field for nearly 30 years, we know what outdoor experience and hiking Iceland’s mountains and fjords means. We are committed to operate the highest standard possible in the “industry” of outdoor touring in Iceland, your safety and your pleasure is our highest priority.

Iceland has become a victim of its own success. Tourists have replaced travelers around the country. Fortunately 80% of the country, mainly the highlands, remains difficult to access and without infrastructure, or so little.

By nature, here at Fjallabak, we are a bit allergic to mass tourism. We love our job, the adventure and the experience it represents.
We do not receive more than 400-500 travelers per year. We do not intend to grow continuously. Despite our idealism, we have survived the crises of the last decades and have been on course for now 40 years.
In other words, we are very small company with a lot of soul. Far from the crowds, we live our adventures as we know the secret passages through the mysterious mountains of Iceland that lead us into an untouched world where dream and reality together are one.

We look forward to seeing you on Fjallabak’s trails.

Matthildur Filippusdóttir Patay (AKA Matta)

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    To book a trip, please click on the Book button on the trip description page and follow the process to the end.

    What’s on

    Cygne sauvage / Whooper swan

    Birds of the West Fjords – June 2024

    Overland discovery, easy hikes, bird watching and photography List of Icelandic birds 1 days from/to Reykjavik  Group limited to 8-9 participants A unique journey guided by Philippe Patay, founder of Fjallabak and one of the best and most passionate connoisseurs of Iceland, its culture, its…
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    Iceland trips selection

    Look below for a short selection of our newest trips.

    Photo trips

    Highlands photography 2023

    Highlands photography 2023 10 days trip (12 days from home) in a small group of 6 to 10 participants, accompanied by a professional photographer, and driven by Icelandic driver-guide This adventure in the heart of the Southern Highlands a series of 4wd overland discovery and…
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    Highlands 4wd Discoveries

    Highlands photography 2023

    Highlands photography 2023 10 days trip (12 days from home) in a small group of 6 to 10 participants, accompanied by a professional photographer, and driven by Icelandic driver-guide This adventure in the heart of the Southern Highlands a series of 4wd overland discovery and…
    See trip details, dates and booking

    Trekking – 7 to 9 days

    View of mount Hekla

    Trek Around Mount Hekla

    Beautiful assisted  8-day walking adventure hut to hut along the north and south flank of Mount Hekla, one of Iceland's best known volcano and through the Fjallabak Natural Reserve to Landmannalaugar, then crossing the vast and strange Hrafntinnusker Caldeira to the majestic mountain ridge of Tindfjöll This concentrated…
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    Trekking – 3 to 6 days

    Hrafntinnusker caldeira

    Trek Black Raven Reefs

    Beautiful assisted 6-day walking adventure hut to hut. After climbing and crossing the vast and strange Hrafntinnusker Caldeira, our trail continues through lush green spines and laughing valleys to the entrance of the long narrow black desert of Mællifellssandur which stretches between the caldera and the enormous mass…
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    What they say about us

    • star rating  Perfect trip for some proper walking and being immersed in amazing landscapes. Fjallabak kept the promise of small group, well organised program, and curated itinerary away from the crowds. Huts... read more

      Isapfr
      26 November 2018

      star rating  Our group of 8 (4 old guys, two couples) had a wonderful 7 day trek, generally east-west, mostly off trails, in all kinds of weather. The arrangements were thorough and... read more

      KPatt0n
      30 August 2018
    • star rating  Completely off-track trekking, the only paths we crossed were those of the sheeps.
      Explanations in French and English, multinational hikers which makes it a nice experience

      Chris B
      21 August 2019

      star rating  9 jours de trekking dans les montagnes de Fjallabak à 3 familles avec ados. On a adoré les randonnées proposées (très diversifiées et représentatives de l'Islande), l'équipe très sympa, la... read more

      Jocelyne M
      16 August 2018
    • star rating  Nous avons fait huit jours de trek hors sentiers battus (et la plupart du temps hors sentiers) dans des contrées lunaires inouïes. Mais ce qui a fait la réussite de... read more

      714rona
      28 July 2019

      star rating  Mon premier séjour en Islande remonte à 2004, avec Philippe Patay.
      
Depuis, je suis revenue sur cette île plusieurs fois, par moi-même ou avec Fjallabak. 
Pour marcher, pour contempler,... read more

      SKislande
      18 July 2019
    • star rating  We had a wonderful trek near Mount Hekla. Our guide was fantastic, as was the food. The overall organization is closely tied to the land and has extensive expertise. Not... read more

      Jen T
      19 August 2019

      star rating  Me and my in law family booked this very special trip to an area which is usually very secluded and not seen by too many tourists.
      On our 5... read more

      Anja S
      5 September 2018
    • star rating  Fabulous, walking a mountain trail in a small group with an excellent and humorous guide, talking English and French simultaneously. Emma really took care, from French-style cooking to correctly applying... read more

      Herfried W
      16 August 2019

      star rating  Our trek in the Elves Mountains August 2020: - Well planned itinerary with solid walks every day in fantastic landscape - Just as we like it - not many other... read more

      Berit A
      1 August 2020
    • star rating  Me and my in law family booked this very special trip to an area which is usually very secluded and not seen by too many tourists.
      On our 5... read more

      Anja S
      5 September 2018

      star rating  Petite entreprise familiale franco islandaise, qui propose plusieurs trek réellement hors des sentiers battus. Nous étions un tout petit groupe et cela fonctionnait comme une famille, super ambiance et je... read more

      Nathalie C
      26 July 2019
    • star rating  Que dire des services de cette sympathique agence ? Tout simplement extra ! Sur la base de l'itinéraire que nous souhaitions effectuer, Matta nous a concocté une série d'hébergements (guest... read more

      Carole B
      14 September 2018

      star rating  Completely off track trekking
      Hard sometimes with the weather
      Adventure company
      Good service
      Only bad point is the level of the members can be too different and it... read more

      Swissitude2014
      21 August 2019
    • star rating  The Fjallabak Trekking company is a small family operated business that caters to travelers trying to get off the beaten path. We spent 6 days trekking in the Fjallabak... read more

      BrigittaAdell
      11 September 2019

      star rating  We were a small (private) group with big expectations and Fjallabak delivered, and then some ... the result exceeded our expectations. The organisation, the landscapes, the length of each... read more

      James
      1 August 2021
    • star rating  I can’t recommend this company highly enough. Really special people who go the extra mile and well beyond. By best advice is take their advice! It was their suggestion to... read more

      Iain H
      1 August 2021

      star rating  Que dire des services de cette sympathique agence ? Tout simplement extra ! Sur la base de l'itinéraire que nous souhaitions effectuer, Matta nous a concocté une série d'hébergements (guest... read more

      Carole B
      14 September 2018
    • star rating  La réserve naturelle de Fjallabak est magnifique et notre trek hors des sentiers battus a dépassé toutes nos attentes. L'itinéraire concocté par Fjallabak Trekking n'a fait que croiser l'"autoroute" du... read more

      fcibot
      21 August 2018

      star rating  I did a short trek, the Trek at the Doors of Hell in late June with Fjallabak a family run business and it was amazing, we had the sensation of... read more

      Katiedenver76
      18 July 2019