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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
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.
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
A climb of Blahnukur and Brennisteinsalda can be done in a five mile loop (1500 ft elevation gain).
Picture
Landmannalaugar hiking in Iceland

Langisjór

Hiking around Langisjor Iceland
Langisjor Lake
Langisjór is the most isolated of the walks I have done in Iceland with no other hikers in the area
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 hike in Iceland

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
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
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
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 would not recommend
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
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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
Hornbjarg cliffs hike in Iceland
The steep cliffs in Hornbjarg are remarkably easy to climb with permanent footsteps in the grass.  ​The wind shifted on the final day to bring more favorable visibility (wind from the northeast typically means fog)
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
Spring flowers and waterfall near Hofn Iceland
Spring flowers and the waterfall near Hofn
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 and 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 from Kjos Valley hike in Skaftafell
Footbridge on the Morsa river
Skaftafellsjokul Glacier
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
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. 
Hikers climbing the glacier on Snæfellsjökull
Hellnar arch hike in Iceland
Hellnar Arch
The other 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).
Jökulsárgljúfur canyon in Iceland
Jökulsárgljúfur
Asbyrgi Canyon in Iceland from Klappir hike
Asbyrgi Canyon from Klappir

Thrihnukagigur Volcano

Thrihnukagigur volcano hike inside the volcano in Iceland
Thrihnukagigur is the only volcano that has left behind a chamber.  The rocks are actually multi-colored here (unlike some caves I've seen with colored lights)
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).
Storurd hike 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
Hikers overlooking the canyon
Hiker walking atop Glymur

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

Seljalandsfoss

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

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