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Iceland


Fimmvorduhals Trek

Skogafoss on the Fimmvorduhals Trek in Iceland
Skogafoss
There seemed to be an impressive waterfall at every turn.  The trail goes from Thorsmork from Skogar with a return bus ride (18 miles one way, 3500 ft gain Skogar to the pass, 3000ft descent to Thorsmork).  Snow was covering the upper section of the trail near the Fimmvorduhals pass
Waterfall along the trail
Waterfall from just off the hike
Volcano behind the waterfall
Rainbow over Skogafoss
One of the prettier waterfalls on the trail
Waterfall on the Fimmvorduhals hike in Iceland
Double waterfall
Waterfall along the trail
Fimmvorduhals hike in Iceland
Start of the trek near the ocean
Snow was still covering the pass on the trail
Magni Crater on the Fimmvorduhals trek
Magni Crater
The Magni crater pictured here is only five years old, created during the 2010 volcano eruption that shut down air traffic in Europe.
Red crater of magni
Glacier view from Magni
Thorsmork from the peak
Thorsmork from Valahnukur
Footbridge on the Krossa River
Krossa River

The Highlands

Landmannalaugar hike up Brennisteinsalda
Landmannalaugar from Brennisteinsalda summit
Landmannalaugar has the most colorful mountains in Iceland.  A climb of Blahnukur and Brennisteinsalda can be done in a five mile loop (1500 ft elevation gain).
Brennisteinsalda hike in Iceland
Brennisteinsalda
Hiking in Landmannalaugar Iceland
Landmannalauger trek in Iceland

Langisjór

Hiking around Langisjor Iceland
Langisjor Lake
There was peace and quiet in the region of Langisjór.  Did not see another hiker there, camping is possible alongside the lake.
Going up the mountain trail
After walking a few miles along the eastern edge of the lake, there were footprints in the snow that led to a path up the mountain.  The trail crumbled in places and there likely is a more established route.
Langisjor hike in the Highlands of Iceland
Langisjór lake hiking trip in Iceland
Langisjór hike in Iceland
Driving along road F208 in Iceland
The moss covered mountains in the Lakigigar region are something I have only seen in Iceland.
Parking spot in the area
I read mixed reports about reaching Langisjór with a normal 4x4 vehicle (like the Darcia Duster above that I rented).  If you are comfortable crossing the river at the beginning of F235, the rest of the route is rough in spots but straightforward.  Really the river crossings are larger on F225 or F208 to just reach F235.  The main concern would be car trouble as you might not be rescued for a few days.

The Westfjords

Starting the hike at Saebol in Hornstrandir
The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is a protected area and can only be accessed by boat from Isafjordur.  I started at Saebol and hiked for seven days around the peninsula before being picked up at Hornvik
Latrar coast in Iceland
The couple on the boat with me went south towards Hesteyri, I went along the coast towards Latrar until I found that part of the cliff had collapsed.  I then attempted to climb Hvarfnupur, but no way down the other side.  Only choice remaining was to walk up the Pverdalur valley towards Burfell
Burfell campsite on Hornstrandir
I found out later that if possible you should only camp at the designated campsites, but tired from traveling and the unexpected climb into the mountains I stopped at the pass to sleep for a few hours 
Midvik valley from Burfell on Hornstrandir Iceland
Walking across the ridge west of Burfell looking down the Midvik valley.  I stayed on a night schedule from this point forward, hiking until late morning and sleeping during the day
Walking along the poles
There were no trails on the route until I found some poles to follow that led to the Stakkadalur valley
Sunset over Rekavik bak Latur and the Stakkadular valley on the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in Iceland
Sunset over Rekavik bak Latur and the Stakkadalur valley
River crossing on the hike
The river crossings are typically shallow, but watch for quicksand if crossing close to ocean.  Not knowing any better I fell into a patch, having to crawl out of the river on my belly.
Latrar campground in Iceland
Latrar campground, where I stopped to get in the sleeping bag and dry out my clothes
Fljot estuary and route over Dagmalahorn on Hornstrandir, Iceland
I waded across the Fljot estuary at the green line and then climbed the gradual east side of Dagmalahorn (red line) instead of the correct steep west face (green line). It was challenging to get down the other side and I would not recommend this route even to the most adventurous
Rainbow coming down Dagmalahorn in Iceland
Rainbow over the ocean coming down Dagmalahorn
Picture
Looking back at the valley
Almenningaskard pass sunset on Hornstrandir hike in Iceland
The sun broke through the clouds as I reached the pass
Looking towards Haelavik from Almenningaskard Pass in Hornstrandir, Iceland
Looking east towards Haelavik from Almenningaskard Pass
Alfsfell mountain at Haelavik on the hike in Hornstrandir, Iceland
Alfsfell at Haelavik
 I walked around the bay on a calm night and enjoyed the evening before camping at Budir
Emergency shelter at Budir
Emergency shelter at Budir
Walking along the trail near Budir
These were the only backpackers I saw on the western side of the peninsula until reaching the popular campground at Hofn, where there is a ranger station and what appeared to be mostly day hikers setting up camp directly off the boat
Foggy coast at Latravik
The fog rolled in for the next few days.  The trail along the east coast is maintained and easy compared to the western side of the reserve.  I went as far as Smidjuvik, then returned back up the coast to the Horn campground and waited out the weather.  There is a cell phone tower at Latravik to look up a forecast.
Arctic fox at the campsite in Hornvik area of Hornstrandir Iceland
  This arctic fox approached the tent when I started eating beef jerky
Arctic fox den in Hornvik Iceland
There was a den near the campground with four little ones.  The Hornvik area is said to have the highest density of arctic foxes in the world, I saw many running around in the hills
Shelter along the trail
The wind shifted on the final day to bring more favorable visibility (wind from the northeast typically means fog)
Hornbjarg cliffs hike in Iceland
The steep cliffs in Hornbjarg are remarkably easy to climb with permanent footsteps in the grass
Hiking towards Horn in Iceland
The trail around "The Horn"
Midfell summit hike in the Hornbjarg cliffs area of Hornstrandir
Midfell summit
Midnight sun giving an orange glow to the Hornbjarg cliffs of Hornstrandir, Iceland
The midnight sun giving a red glow to the Hornbjarg cliffs near the end of June
Sunset from Midfell overlooking Horn on the Hornstrandir peninsula hike in Iceland
Sunset from Midfell overlooking the Horn.  Horn meaning corner in Icelandic
Kalfatindar and the Hornbjarg cliffs on an early morning hike in Hornstrandir Iceland
Kalfatindar and the Hornbjarg cliffs at one o'clock in the morning
Almenningaskard pass near the Hornbjarg cliffs, Iceland
Pointed peaks near Almenningaskard pass
Spring flowers and waterfall near Hofn Iceland
Spring flowers and the waterfall near Hofn
Horn and the Hornbjarg cliffs in Iceland
Horn
Dynjandi waterfall in Iceland
Dynjandi
The other extended stops in the Westfjords were the Dynjandi waterfall and the Latrabjarg bird cliffs.  Puffins have burrows dug into the edge of the cliffs.
Dynjandi waterfall in Iceland closeup
Puffin on the Latrabjarg cliffs in Iceland
Puffin on the Latrabjarg cliffs in Iceland

Skaftafell

Kos valley hike in Skaftafell National Park
Kjos
My favorite hike in Skaftafell was through the Morsardalur Valley to the remote Kjos Valley (17.5 miles return, 1000ft elevation gain). Backcountry camping is allowed in the Kjos Valley
Kos Valley hike in Skaftafell National park
View of the Morsarjokull Glacier in Skaftafell
Morsarjokull Glacier
Morsarjokull Glacier
Colorful mountain in Morsardalur Valley
Footbridge on the Morsa river
View from Kjos Valley hike in Skaftafell
Sjonarnipa hike to Skaftafellsjokul Glacier in Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafellsjokul Glacier from Sjonarnipa
On the east side of Skaftafell, there is a hike overlooking the Skaftafellsjokul Glacier.  The path to the Sjonarnipa overlook with a visit to Svartifoss on the return hike is around 5 miles, 1000ft elevation gain.  The path that continued to Kristinartindar was still thawing out and was closed.
Skaftafellsjokul Glacier
Svartifoss
Svartifoss

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Kirkjufell mountain at Sunset on Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Kirkjufell at Sunset
The drive along the northern peninsula from Berserkjahraun to Grundarfjordur is very beautiful with Kirkjufell being a highlight.
Campsite across from Kirkjufell
Campsite across from Kirkjufell on the longest day of the year.  The sun had moved to the northern horizon by midnight.
Snæfellsjökull volcano in Iceland
The best hike here was along gravel road 570 that passes through the center of the peninsula near Sneafellsjokull (13 miles, 2500 ft elevation gain).  The road was still snow covered which kept traffic low on the south side and nonexistent on the northern side. 
Snæfellsjökull hike in Iceland
Impassable road sign
Hikers climbing the glacier on Snæfellsjökull
Climbing Snæfellsjökull looked possible without technical gear
Hellnar arch hike in Iceland
Hellnar Arch
The other worthwhile hike on the peninsula was an easy coast walk from Hellnar to Arnarstapi (3 miles return).
Gatklettur Arch in Iceland
Gatklettur Arch

Jökulsárgljúfur

Dettifoss the waterfall from Prometheus in Iceland
Prometheus waterfall (Dettifoss)
Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe.  Best viewed from the eastern side (Road 864).  Spray from the waterfall hits the west river bank (Road 862 viewpoint).
Selfoss waterfall in Jokulsargljufur Iceland
Selfoss
Asbyrgi Canyon in Iceland from Klappir hike
Asbyrgi Canyon from Klappir
In the northern section of Jökulsárgljúfur, there is a short hike from the visitor center to Klappir (6 miles return).    
Eyjan cliff rock in Iceland
Eyjan cliff rock

Reynishverfi Beach

Basalt Columns on black sand beach in Vik Iceland
Basalt columns
Basalt columns on Reynishverfi Beach
Vik Iceland
Basalt columns in Vik on Reynishverfi beach
Climbing the basalt columns
Halsanefshellir Cave in Vik Iceland on reynishverfi beach
Halsanefshellir Cave

Thrihnukagigur Volcano

Thrihnukagigur volcano hike inside the volcano in Iceland
Thrihnukagigur is the only volcano on earth we have discovered that has left behind a chamber.  National Geographic did a documentary in 2010.  You are lowered into the chamber in a window washer scaffold.
Inside the Volcano tour in Thrihnukagigur Iceland

Storurd

Storurd hike in Iceland
Storurd or "big rocks" is the result of a collapsed mountain.  The U-shape in the mountain is the source of the boulders.  The Vatnsskard trailhead was in covered in fog, so I took the lower trail both ways (9 miles return).
Dyrfjöll mountain in Iceland
Dyrfjöll mountain
Storurd hike in Iceland

Hvitserkur Arch

Hvitserkur Arch in Iceland

Glymur Waterfall

Glymur waterfall in Iceland
Glymur, Iceland's Tallest Waterfall
Hiking up the right side of the canyon gives the best view of Glymur (5 miles, 800ft gain).  The full loop is highly recommended and requires a river crossing on the plateau above the falls.
Look back at the canyon of glymur waterfall
River crossing to the right side of the canyon with the rope
River crossing in the valley above the waterfall
Hikers overlooking the canyon
Hiker walking atop Glymur

Myvatn

Grjótagjá cave in Iceland
Grjótagjá
Power plant in Iceland

Kerlingarfjoll

Hiking in Kerlingarfjoll in Iceland
Kerlingarfjoll has a short loop around the caramel colored area of Hveradalir, which from the campsite can be reached by 4x4 (10 min) or by foot (3 miles).  The Icelandic stew and apple pie at the campsite was welcoming.
Hveradalir hike in the Kerlingarfjoll Iceland area

Gullfoss

Gullfoss waterfall

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Behind Seljalandsfoss

Geysir

Geysir in Iceland
The bubble that forms just before eruption
Bubble forming on the geysir in Iceland

Reykjavik

Hallgrimskirkja church in Iceland
Rainbow street in Iceland
Keilir golf course in Iceland
Lava course at Keilir
Resources:
International Photographer Map, Cicerone Guide, Hiking Maps: Skaftafell, Langisjor, Jokulsargljufur
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Photos, text and design by Dan Arnold
Contact: darnoldhiking@gmail.com

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