islande trek randonnee mont hekla ete petit groupe o-nord

The imposing and legendary Mount Hekla

REGION
Iceland
THEME
Trek
ACTIVITIES
Hiking
DURATION
10 days
DIFFICULTY
Moderate

A beautiful 8-day supported and luggage-free trek circumnavigating the volcano Mount Hekla from south to north along its western flank, arriving in 4 days, from refuge to refuge, in the valley of Landmannalaugar, followed by crossing the Hrafntinnusker Caldera and its mysterious surroundings to finish at the foot of the Tindfjöll Massif.

Mount Hekla has always fascinated people, and the magic surrounding its reputation extends far beyond the seas. Considered in the Middle Ages as one of the gates to hell, Rome recommended that sinners go there to see what awaited them in the afterlife if they persisted in sin. Its eruptions have often devastated the countryside and caused much trouble for the Icelandic people who both fear and revere it. But what is mostly feared is that an eruption may one day mar its perfect curves. This beautiful stratovolcano is active and closely monitored by volcanologists’ seismographs.

The metaphor “reefs of raven’s black” for Hrafntinnusker is a fine example of the ancient and natural metaphorical poetry of Icelandic. It signifies the reefs or rocks (Sker) of obsidian (Hrafntinna) (Hrafn for raven and Tinna for intense black): black vitrified lava with sometimes blue or green reflections, sharp as a razor blade, which spreads here on the soft pastel undulations of acidic rocks of the crown of the caldera of the same name. We will cautiously observe the countless solfataras with boiling mud pools, powerful and noisy steam vents. On the edge of the caldera, we advance on a flat surface of black scoria that leads towards Mount Hekla, which dominates the nearby horizon with its imposing and legendary mass. We also explore a fairy-tale landscape of small volcanic cones and streams of pure water in a valley closed at the foot of the imposing monolith of clear rock of Laufafell.

Privatize this Trek!

This trekking, as described here, can be privatized for your family, hiking club, university, company, or for your clients if you are a mountain guide.

  • Either on one of our still available scheduled dates
  • Or on any other date if availability allows.

Detailed program

DAY 1 | PARIS / REYKJAVIK

Departure for Reykjavik on regular flights. Transfer by regular bus to the city center of Reykjavik. Arrival at Hotel Klettur. Check-in to your standard room. Dinner on your own. Overnight stay.

DAY 2 | REYKJAVIK / FARMS OF HEKLA

Drive 160 km – 3-4 hours walk – approx. 12 km – Altitude 135 m > 175 m

Meet your guide at 7:30 at the bus station in downtown Reykjavik in trekking attire, ready to go, with your daypack and your packed trekking bag. One piece of luggage can be kept in storage at your accommodation in Reykjavik. Departure for a 2-hour drive through the southern moors. Brief stop at our warehouse in the village of Hella where we load travel bags, provisions, and equipment onto the trailer of our support jeep. After an hour on the trail, we start the hike towards the tiny farms of Hekla, south of the volcano. These farms have had to move several times over the centuries, and the farmers do not always agree on remembering the exact location of the grandparents’ farm swallowed by a lava flow. Bucolic and dilapidated atmosphere, full of the charm of this strange countryside. Camp on the meadow. Despite the nearby volcano, the landscape here is green, and some ancient lava flows are covered with moss and clusters of Arctic birch barely larger and as old as “bonsai”, creating with clear springs gushing from the chaos of real Japanese gardens.

DAY 3 | WESTERN FLANK OF HEKLA

Hike for 7-8 hours – approx. 22 km – Altitude 135 m > 320 m

We cross the Ytri-Rangá, a clear spring river. Then we tackle the last alignment of palagonite hills that protect the last shreds of countryside from the scorched lands. On the other side, we arrive on the moon, at the very foot of the monster, and cross an expanse of scoria of perfect flatness. The surrounding black is so dark that it becomes blue like the plumage of a crow. Tiny, we progress in an entirely mineral world on the infinite scree plain that borders the eastern flank of the volcano, where most of the lava flows from the last eruptions were ejected.

DAY 4 | VALAGJÁ / MY LOÐMUNDUR

Hike for 5-6 hours – approx. 17 km – Altitude 320 m > 590 m

Some lava flows are less than six years old, some are beginning to be buried under black scoria, sometimes beige pumice, as Hekla also has acidic eruptions. Silvery lichens and green velvet mosses settle on the lava flows. As we move away from Hekla, the landscape softens, and the green of the tundra gradually wins over the stretches of black scoria that rain down on the country with each eruption. We reach the crown of Loðmundur, an old subglacial volcano reflecting in the beautiful lake of Loðmundarvatn. We have definitively left the volcanic system of Hekla.

DAY 5 | HIKE TO LANDMANNALAUGAR

Hike for 6-7 hours – approx. 16 km – Altitude 590 m > 700 m

The trail leads us through extraordinary landscapes. First, we go around the beautiful lake shining at the foot of Mt Loðmundur. We should be able to admire a pair of Common Loons up close, then we climb the north flank of the Hrafntinnusker Caldera and enter the pastel colors of acidic volcanism, from blue to pink through all possible ochres. Extraordinary viewpoint over the caldera and the valley of Landmannalaugar. We begin the descent towards the refuge and the camping site in the valley, somewhat surprised to suddenly encounter so many people, so many tents, and so many vehicles after 4 days of wonderful solitude. After a bath (optional) in the famous hot water river, we return by jeep along the track to find the tranquility of Landmannahellir.

DAY 6 | HRAFNTINNUSKER CALDERA

6-8 hours of walking – approx. 18 km – Alt. 590 m > 1000 m > 800 m

The metaphor “reefs of raven’s black” for Hrafntinnusker is a beautiful example of Icelandic’s ancient and natural metaphorical poetry. It signifies reefs or rocks (sker) of obsidian (Hrafn: raven) (Tinna: intense black). Progression through the shimmering colors of the rhyolitic massifs and the obsidian flow of the Hrafntinnusker Caldera, “the reefs of raven’s black”. Incredible palette of pastel colors, from blue to pink through all possible ochres. Countless fumaroles, sulphurous mud pools, flows of vitrified obsidian, marshes, clear lakes, and immaculate glacial caps succeed each other as far as the eye can see.

DAY 7 | FJALLABAK SOUTH / TINDFJÖLL

Hike for 6-8 hours – approx. 20 km – Altitude > 800 m > 550 m

Descending towards Fjallabak South, you can admire the alignment of mountain ranges, all perfectly parallel and aligned in the same direction: the direction of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that crosses Iceland from North to South. In favorable weather, there is a spectacular view of three large glaciers: Mýrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull, and Tíndafjallajökull. Progression through the mini territories that lead to the foot of the Tindfjöll massif through green valleys where crystal-clear streams wander, marshes dotted with cottony cotton grass, deep canyons, and moss-covered volcanic cones. This territory could well be an advanced observation post of the Elf Kingdom at the border of Mordor.

DAY 8 | TINDFJÖLL / KROKUR

Hike for 6-7 hours – approx. 15 km – Altitude > 800 m

Tindfjöll, nicknamed “The Peaks”, is a majestic small mountain range with numerous peaks, including the largest ones, Ýmir (1462m) and Ýma (1448m). It is, of course, not the Himalayas or the Patagonian Andes, but a perfect blend of both miniaturized, giving this indescribable illusion of pristine vastness that Iceland is known for. Tindfjallajökull is the country’s smallest glacier, but it is located on a giant crater about 12 to 16 km in diameter, formed by the explosion of an ancient fissure.

DAY 9 | HAFRAFELL / ROUTE CIRCULAIRE N°1

Hike for 2-3 hours – 50 km of track 120 km of road

Progression through a vast desolate expanse of the Hekla volcanic system that dominates the horizon to the north of its visible or invisible presence. Then rapid descent to the valley where lava expanses are covered with grassy meadows, sheep, and bird cries. Transfer by jeep to the village of Hella on the circular road N°1 where our base is located. Return to Reykjavik where we arrive in the evening (Reykjavik Central Bus Station – BSI), either by regular bus or with one of our vehicles.

Please note: The two days of transfers to and from the mountains may be changed without notice. It is sometimes possible that we will drive you or pick you up with our own vehicles.

Free transfer to Hotel Klettur. Check-in to your standard room. Dinner on your own. Overnight stay.

DAY 10 | REYKJAVIK / PARIS

Breakfast. Transfer by regular bus to Reykjavik International Airport. Departure for Paris on regular flights.

End of our services

Dates 2023 :

  • 04 to 13 July 2023
  • 18 to 27 July 2023
  • 01 to 10 August 2023
  • 15 to 24 August 2023
  • 29 August to 07 September 2023

islande trek randonnee ete petit groupe o-nord islande trek randonnee ete petit groupe o-nord

Travel periods

Departures from 04/07/2023 to 13/07/2023

Prices

From 3,540€VAT included
Ask for a quote

Pricing information

OUR RATES INCLUDE:

  • Regular Icelandair flights Paris/Reykjavik/Paris
    in economy class
  • Airport taxes €144 at this time, subject to change
  • Flybus transfers airport/hotel Reykjavik/airport
  • 2 nights in standard double room at Hotel Klettur Reykjavik with breakfast
  • French and English-speaking guide
  • Round-trip bus transfer to the mountains
  • Transportation of your luggage by 4×4 vehicle
  • 7 nights in mountain refuges
  • Full board from lunch on Day 2 to breakfast on the last day of the trek
  • Complimentary assistance insurance

OUR RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:

  • Taxi or municipal bus fare from your accommodation to the meeting point on Day 2
  • Taxi or bus fare from Reykjavik drop-off point to your accommodation upon return from the trek
  • Paid showers in the refuges
  • Small group supplement if the group is less than 6 adult participants
  • Currency exchange rate fluctuations
  • Cancellation insurance
  • Premium Multi-risk insurance (please contact us for details)

Good to know

  • Difficulty level: 3-4 challenging
  • Average daily distance: approx. 14-16 km
  • Total distance covered: approx. 142 km
  • Total walking time: approx. 55 hours
  • Altitude between: 135 m and 800 m
  • Cumulative positive elevation: approx. 3660 m
  • Cumulative negative elevation: approx. 3560 m

Additional detailed information available for download in PDF format.