DAY 1: GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK AND EXPLORE ICELAND’S HIDDEN TREASURES!

Departure from the Wilderness Center. Provisions will be carried by a pack horse. Break at the abandoned farm of Kleif, where you‘ll be able to have a look around and be told tales from the past. On leaving Kleif the group crosses the Jökulsá river by a cableway which has recently been restored. Hiking along the beautiful Jökulsá canyon, we‘ll soon be walking past one of the river‘s waterfalls after the other. Looking across the river gives a view of a pretty, natural birchwood Kleifarskógur. Further on we‘ll be passing a number of other waterfalls, either in the Jökulsá itself or some of its tributaries – small or large. The two highest, Faxi and Kirkjufoss, are amongst Iceland‘s most magnificent waterfalls. We‘ll have our dinner at Hrakströnd where we will stay for the night in the newly restored shepherd‘s hut. The picturesque surroundings at Hrakströnd are quite unique. Amidst the rocks you‘ll find a small pond, fine for bathing in on a sunny day. The sound of water will lure you to the Hrakstrandarfoss falls, just behind the rocks. Standing below the waterfall gives an unusual view of Mt. Snæfell.

DAY 2:CARVED BY GLACIERS

On departing Hrakströnd we head northeast across the untouched terrain of Mt. Múlinn. Here, tranquility reigns. Should you come across another human being right here, you‘ll have a drink on us in the evening! Most of this land is covered with vegetation but occasionally we‘ll cross spots where the glacier has scraped away any soil, leaving patches of naked rocks or gravel. After walking for around two hours across Múlinn, we‘ll see down the Þorgerðarstaðadalur valley and later down Suðurdalur valley. We head for Lake Dimmavatn and then hike along the river Tunguá, until we reach its junction with the Kelduá river. The contrast between the two rivers, yesterday’s glacial Jökulsá and today’s spring-fed Kelduá, is quite remarkable. Even if not quite as voluminous as Jökulsá’s falls, those in the clear Kelduá are just as beautiful. We hike through a wood of birch, Þorgerðarstaðir Woods. Walking on the sunny side of this grassy valley we pass the ruins of some sheds and pens from the past, when farmers would bring their livestock here for summer grazing. We find ourselves a place to ford the Kelduá and carry on along the slopes of Mt. Kiðafell. Back to civilization – and we will walk no further than Sturluflöt farm. From there the group will be taken by car to the Wilderness Center. *Bear in mind: The trip departure and arrival point is the Wilderness Center. We recommend staying in or near the Center the night before, as departure is scheduled for early morning. Participants staying overnight before or after the trip enjoy a special price at the Center.