Iceland

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Fimmvorduhals Trek

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

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.

Thorsmork from Valahnukur

Krossa River

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The Highlands

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

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Langisjór

Langisjor Lake

There was peace and quiet in the region of Langisjór.  Did not see another hiker there, camping is possible alongside the lake.

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.

The moss covered mountains in the Lakigigar region are something I have only seen in Iceland.

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.

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The Westfjords

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

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

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 

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

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 Stakkadalur valley

Latrar campground, where I stopped to get in the sleeping bag and dry out my clothes

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 over the ocean coming down Dagmalahorn

Looking back at the valley

The sun broke through the clouds as I reached the pass

Looking east towards Haelavik from Almenningaskard Pass

Alfsfell at Haelavik

 I walked around the bay on a calm night and enjoyed the evening before camping at Budir

Emergency shelter at 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

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.

  This arctic fox approached the tent when I started eating beef jerky

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

The wind shifted on the final day to bring more favorable visibility (wind from the northeast typically means fog)

The steep cliffs in Hornbjarg are remarkably easy to climb with permanent footsteps in the grass

The trail around "The Horn"

Midfell summit

The midnight sun giving a red glow to the Hornbjarg cliffs near the end of June

Sunset from Midfell overlooking the Horn.  Horn meaning corner in Icelandic

Kalfatindar and the Hornbjarg cliffs at one o'clock in the morning

Pointed peaks near Almenningaskard pass

Spring flowers and the waterfall near Hofn

Horn

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.

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Skaftafell

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

Morsarjokull Glacier

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.

Svartifoss

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Snæfellsnes 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 on the longest day of the year.  The sun had moved to the northern horizon by midnight.

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. 

Climbing Snæfellsjökull looked possible without technical gear

Hellnar Arch

The other worthwhile hike on the peninsula was an easy coast walk from Hellnar to Arnarstapi (3 miles return).

Gatklettur Arch

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Jökulsárgljúfur

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

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

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Reynishverfi Beach

Basalt columns

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Thrihnukagigur Volcano

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.

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Storurd

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

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Hvitserkur Arch

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Glymur Waterfall

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.

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Myvatn

Grjótagjá

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Kerlingarfjoll

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.

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Gullfoss

Seljalandsfoss

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Geysir

The bubble that forms just before eruption

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Reykjavik

Lava course at Keilir

Resources:
International Photographer Map, Cicerone Guide, Hiking Maps: Skaftafell, Langisjor, Jokulsargljufur