Residence to 3 occasions extra sheep than folks, Iceland could appear to be a hiker and backpacker’s paradise. In some methods it’s, and in some methods it isn’t.
When you persist with the favored trails in Iceland, you’ll be handled to breathtaking views, however you’ll additionally end up navigating throngs of like-minded vacationers to succeed in them. Spanning 103,592 sq. kilometers, Iceland has loads of open house and empty trails — you simply must know the place to look.
Residence to volcanoes, geysers, scorching springs, glaciers, and lava fields, Iceland’s panorama is not like another and has topped my bucket listing for years. After performing some analysis, I made a decision to join a guided backpacking journey. The journey I selected was via Amarok Adventures entitled ‘Hidden Trails’ and was all about exploring Iceland’s lesser-known trails.
As somebody who prefers to keep away from the crowds and get deep into the backcountry, it appeared like the right match.
First Impressions
Upon touching down within the land of fireplace and ice, my first impression was that it was chilly. So, so chilly. But it surely was additionally extremely lovely. After linking up with my mountaineering group, we set out for Landmannalaugar and the well-known Laugavegur path.
Whereas the surroundings was beautiful, the path and the backcountry hut we stayed in had been busy. After 2 days of exploring Landmannalaugar and the encompassing space, we left the crowds behind and headed to extra distant trails.
The Hidden Trails journey was a 12-day trek, mountaineering hut to hut all through Iceland’s highlands. As a result of the journey was guided, our meals was deliberate and dropped for us, making planning and packing a bit simpler.
All through the 12 days, we ventured to a number of the most lovely locations I’ve ever seen. Oftentimes, we discovered ourselves solely alone, and the sense of awe I felt was unparalleled.
I’m grateful to my information and Amarok Adventures for displaying us the off-the-beaten-path routes. Due to the huts, there are entry roads to a lot of the trails, to allow them to simply be achieved as day or multiday hikes.
Listed here are a number of favorites.
My Favourite ‘Hidden’ Trails
Grænihryggur, aka ‘Inexperienced Ridge’
Situated in Fjallabak Nature Reserve, the hike to the Inexperienced Backbone is likely one of the most spectacular within the nation. The trailhead is situated a brief drive from Landmannalaugar and spherical journey, the hike is roughly 10.5 miles — it’s pretty gradual going, so enable about 8 hours to finish the hike.
En path to the Inexperienced Ridge, you’ll go moss-covered valleys, rhyolite mountains, frigid river crossings, glaciers, and beautiful canyons, finally ending on the spectacular Inexperienced Ridge. Over the day-long hike, we didn’t see a single particular person, and the panorama was lovely and the quiet refreshing. Though this hike may very well be achieved alone, it’s most likely finest achieved with a information as navigation may very well be difficult.
Sveinstindur Peak
This hike can simply be achieved as a day hike or as a part of an extended thru-hike. When you’re planning to hike to Sveinstindur Peak, your finest wager is to remain in Langisjór after which use a 4×4 automobile to entry the path.
The path is well-marked, and the reasonable hike is a little bit over 7 miles in case you do it as a thru-hike between huts. When you desire a day hike, merely flip round on the peak and backtrack to the place you started.
If you wish to lengthen your preliminary hike, the mileage between huts is 7.5 miles. On the prime of the height, you’ll be handled to panoramic views of Lakagígar (the Laki craters), the Langisjór lake, the Vatnajökull glacier, and the Fjallabak space.
Skaelingar
When you’ve got a automobile able to reaching Skaelingar, I extremely suggest you go to. A lava subject situated alongside the Skafta river, Skaelingar looks like one thing out of a film.
There are funky lava rock constructions, vibrant moss fields, black sand desserts, glacial rivers, towering mountains, and a lot extra. Set off in any path from the mountain hut and also you’re certain to be amazed.
Regardless of the street entry, Skaelingar feels extremely distant and is a tremendous approach to unplug. When you’re feeling courageous, take a plunge within the river to wash up after a day of mountaineering. When you’re trying to do a thru-hike, enterprise 10 miles to Holaskjol.
The overall distance for hikes within the space varies, nevertheless it’s roughly 12 miles hut to hut.
Holaskjol to Alftavotn
Whenever you first go away the mountain hut at Holaskjol, you’ll doubtless encounter some of us exploring the path and testing the close by waterfall. However after a mile or so, you’ll shortly go away the crowds behind.
The trail hugs the river, with a number of chilly crossings alongside the best way. After roughly 4 miles, you’ll attain Alftavotn, the place there are lovely lakes, a waterfall, and a lush, inexperienced valley. From there, you could have the choice to remain at a mountain hut or return to Holaskjol. Mileage hut to hut for this hike is 6.5 miles.
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The Gear I Used: Advisable Gear Record
When backpacking, particularly in colder climate, having the correct gear is important. Earlier than heading to Iceland, I completely researched totally different manufacturers and merchandise to make sure that my gear would hold me heat and protected, even in probably the most attempting situations. Listed here are a few suggestions that labored for me for this particular trek.
Exhausting Gear
Osprey Ariel 55
This girls’s-specific pack is equal elements snug and purposeful, making it excellent for lengthy days on the path. It has loads of space for storing, easy-access pockets for necessities, an area for a hydration pack and water bottles, and an adjustable hipbelt and shoulder straps.
Huge Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 or Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2 Tent
Though we primarily stayed in backcountry huts, I appreciated the choice of a tent for nights once I most well-liked to be outdoors. The Fly Creek one-man tent is insanely light-weight, straightforward to arrange, and is weatherproof and waterproof. It has loads of inside house and packs down small, so it’s straightforward to connect to your pack.
When you’ve got a buddy, the Nimbus UL 2 Tent is the decision. The UL 2 is light-weight and packable and incorporates a entrance dry-entry vestibule, three-quarter mesh cover for stargazing, strengthened webbing corners, high-quality stakes, DAC Featherlight NFL poles, and a sil-nylon rainfly, making it excellent for all times on the transfer.
Huge Agnes Sidewinder SL 20
As a facet sleeper, I’m a giant fan of the Huge Agnes Sidewinder sleeping bag. Designed for consolation all evening lengthy, this sleeping bag is heat, packs down small, and lets you roll backwards and forwards with ease.
Attire
Marmot Kessler Jacket
The climate is extremely mercurial in Iceland and may go from sunshine to rain within the span of 10 minutes. Having a very good rain jacket is a should, and the Kessler jacket saved me dry all through the period of the journey whereas concurrently doubling as a windbreaker. Produced from GORE-TEX energetic cloth, the jacket has loads of pockets, adjustable cuffs, and pit zips for air flow when it does heat up.
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pant
Just like the rain jacket, having a stable pair of waterproof pants is important for mountaineering in moist situations. These pants are light-weight, have an elastic waistband, and have zippers up the perimeters, making them breathable and simple to drag on and off as wanted. In addition they labored effectively to guard me from the biting wind, and I ended up sporting them on chilly days, moist or dry.
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Tank
Though it was too chilly to hike in a tank, the Stretch Tanklette was a fantastic backside layer and a very good possibility for hotter nights within the hut. This tank has a flattering match, and the warp-knit cloth works to effectively wick sweat away.
Marmot Mariposa Brief-Sleeve & Lengthy-Sleeve
Produced from an ultralight polyester knit mix, the Mariposa was excellent for mountaineering in, because it was breathable, depraved away sweat, and dried shortly. The Microban-treated cloth additionally helped hold the stink away, which was a lot appreciated on a 12-day journey. I alternated between the short- and long-sleeve relying on the climate.
Marmot Mountain Energetic Tight
Whenever you spend 12 days mountaineering in chilly climate, a stable pair of tights is a should. That includes light-weight, stretchy cloth, a three-layer waistband, zippered hand pockets, and UPF 50+ safety, the Mountain Energetic tights saved me heat and cozy throughout lengthy days on the path.
Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket
On a chilly climate journey, a down jacket shortly turns into your finest good friend. Produced from a 100% recycled shell cloth, this 800-fill down jacket (obtainable for males, too) sports activities a entrance zipper, handwarmer pockets, adjustable hem, a wicking inside storm flap, and it packs down right into a built-in stuff sack.
Patagonia R1 Air Zip-Neck
I’ve worn Patagonia’s fleeces prior to now, however I selected the Air Zip-Neck as a result of it’s extra light-weight and packable than different choices, whereas nonetheless remaining heat. Produced from 100% recycled polyester, the fleece is breathable and dries shortly, making it excellent for a chilly climate trek.
Patagonia 9 Trails Shorts
Light-weight and packable, the Path Shorts had been tremendous cozy (I used them at evening for sleeping). And the built-in underwear was appreciated with my minimalist packing method.
Patagonia Capilene Cool Every day Shirt
This light-weight but breathable shirt doubled as a path shirt and pajamas on the trek. The fast-drying stretch cloth was excellent for storms, and the odor management was important for sweatier days.
Footwear
The North Face Skeena Sandal
Though I didn’t do any of my mountaineering in sandals, they had been important for river crossings. Produced from 100% recycled nylon uppers, these sandals are tremendous light-weight and simple to tackle and off, making them a fantastic possibility for transitions out and in of crossings.
Vasque Sunsetter NTX
These boots are well-made, waterproof, and cute, so I used to be excited to take them to Iceland. Sadly, the match wasn’t ultimate for my foot, however they did wonders in holding my ft heat and dry.
Equipment
Miscellaneous accent gear included The North Face Class V Brimmer hat, Smartwool Merino Beanie, Smartwool Merino Gloves, and Smartwool Hike Gentle Cushion Mid Crew Socks.
