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Mt. Hekla Trek & Vestmann Islands
Offered by Fjallabak Trekking

strenuous hut hike

The Trip

The Mt. Hekla Trek takes us from the foot of Mt. Hekla at the edge of the volcanic rift, through the Fjallabak National Reserve, south to the valley of Thorsmork and on to the ocean’s edge. The route will takes us over the colorful plateau of Hrafntinnusker with its glittering obsidian stone through black sand deserts of Emstrrur and across rolling green grassland to the secluded hot springs of Strutslaug.

Crossing the Fimmvorduhals mountain pass between the glaciers of Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjskull, we end our hike at the beautiful waterfalls of Skogafoss near the south coast. This is a strenuous hut-to-hut hike though pristine Icelandic wilderness.

The last three days include a trip to the unique and isolated Vestmann Islands Archipelago. Heimaey is the main island of the Archipelago and the only inhabited island. It is dominated by Eldfell “the mountain of fire” a new volcano whose eruption in 1973 destroyed half of the nearby fishing harbor. The Vestmann Islands are home to the largest established colony of Puffins in the world, about 8 millions birds.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Pick-up at accommodation about 10 a.m. We drive through meadows and moors until we reach the dramatic landscape of Mount Hekla, the most active volcano of Iceland. Hike up along the foot of the volcano crossing black ash and huge lava fields.

Day 2: Our long slow climb takes us to the colorful plateau of Hrafntinnusker where obsidian stones glitter in the sunlight. Walking among countless hot springs and steam that rises from the earth, we head to our overnight hut by the banks of the Markarfljót.

Day 3: Continuing along the large plateau, we descend south through the hills of rolling grassland, crossing clear streams. We have a spectacular view of the huge Myrdalsjökull icecap.

Day 4: We travel across a desert of black sand devoid of vegetation, and then walk near the impressive mass of the Myrdalsjökull glacier. Our walk takes us so close to the glacier we can almost touch it.

Day 5: Travel along narrow canyons where powerful glacier rivers flow. Overnight in the wonderful wooded valley of Thórsmörk (The Woods of Thor, the Nordic god).

Day 6: A long hike leads us through the high pass of Fimmvörduháls (if weather permits) surrounded by majestic falling seracs of Eyjafjallajökull and Myrdalsjökull. There is an extraordinary view of the ocean and the Vestmann Islands archipelago. Our hike ends at the coast near the beautiful Skógafoss waterfall.

Day 7: We spend the night on the South Coast in preparation for the trip to the Vestmann Island the next day. (Those only participating on the Trek Mont Hekla part of the trip return to Reykjavík in the afternoon.)

Day 8: By plane, we fly to the Vestmann Islands archipelago. Heimaey is the main island of the Archipelago and the only inhabited island. It is dominated by Eldfell “the mountain of fire” a new volcano whose eruption in 1973 destroyed half of the nearby fishing harbor. The Vestmann Islands are home to the largest established colony of Puffins in the world, about 8 millions birds (observation until August 15th). It is often possible to admire the great Gannet diving for fish and if we are lucky we will catch a glimpse of Killer whales or the huge Fin whale. Weather depending we offer a short cruise around the island of Heimaey.

Day 9: We return to the south cost by the ferry Herjolfur. Then we walk along the beautiful and desolated coast of the volcanic peninsula of Reykjanes “the smoking peninsula”. We camp overnight at Selvogur “the bay of the seals”.

Day 10: Walk over the green moss covered lava fields and mountain of the Reykjanes ridge until we reach Reykjavik.