Iceland
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
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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
The Highlands
Landmannalaugar from Brennisteinsalda summit
A climb of Blahnukur and Brennisteinsalda can be done in a five mile loop (1500 ft elevation gain).
Langisjór
Langisjor Lake
Langisjór is the most isolated of the walks I have done in Iceland with no other hikers in the area
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 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
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 Stakkadalur valley
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 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
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
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)
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
Spring flowers and the waterfall near Hofn
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.
Skaftafell
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
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
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.
Hellnar Arch
The other hike on the peninsula was an easy coast walk from Hellnar to Arnarstapi (3 miles return).
Gatklettur Arch
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).
Jökulsárgljúfur
Asbyrgi Canyon from Klappir
Thrihnukagigur Volcano
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)
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).
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.
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.
Seljalandsfoss
Resources:
International Photographer Map, Cicerone Guide, Hiking Maps: Skaftafell, Langisjor, Jokulsargljufur
International Photographer Map, Cicerone Guide, Hiking Maps: Skaftafell, Langisjor, Jokulsargljufur