The Iceland Challenge
For Charlie's Trust
A Big Thankyou To
The Route !
60kms in four days. An average of five and a half hours walking a day in variuos conditions. Click the link to see an overview map of the whole route. more
The route in detail
Day 1: Landmannalaugar-Hrafntinnusker
Distance 12 km, estimated walking time 5 - 6 hours. Elevation increase 470 meters. From Landmannalaugar the trail goes through a rough lavafield "Laugahraun". From there on up the slopes of "Brennisteinsalda" and to the plateau. The view offers an incredible spectrum of colours. After 3 - 4 hours you arrive at "Stórihver", a hot spring and almost the only green spot visible in the first day. In most years the rest of the trail from "Stórihver" to "Höskuldsskáli" is covered with snow. Chances of fog are very high so even though the trail is clearly marked you must be careful. From "Höskuldsskáli" a walk to the ice caves is approx. 1.5km.
Day 2: Hrafntinnusker - Álftavatn
Distance 12 km, estimated walking time 5 - 6 hours. Elevation decrease 490 m. The first part of the trail takes us through a valley with some small ravines but be careful as they may be filled with snow. If the visibility is good a walk up to the top of mountain "Háskerðingur" (1281 m) will reward your with a breathtaking view. Soon we leave the colourful rhyolite mountains and enter an area with dark palagonite mountains and glaciers. You will also notice a considerable increase in vegetation. The trail down the "Jökultungur" is rather steep but leads down to a friendly oasis on the banks of river "Grashagakvísl" a fine place to rest for a while. A night spent by the lake "Álftavatn" is on flat land.
Day 3: Álftavatn - Emstrur (Botnar)
Distance 15 km., estimated walking time 6-7 hrs., elevation decrease 40 m. The trail takes us over the ridge "Brattháls" into "Hvanngil" ravine, wading across the river "Bratthálskvísl". In "Hvanngil" a short walk from the is the river "Kaldaklofskvísl" with a bridge for hikers. On the eastern bank of "Kaldaklofskvísl" the trail branches, one branch leading eastwards to "Mælifellssandur" (Road F 210) but the other one southwards to "Emstrur" and we choose the latter. Less than one km from "Kaldaklofskvísl" another river has to be waded and approximately 4 km further we come to the river "Nyrðri Emstruá" but this time there is a bridge to cross it. Soon we will be arriving in "Botnar".
Day 4: Emstrur (Botnar) - Þórsmörk
Distance 15 km., estimated walking time 6-7 hrs., elevation decrease 300 m. First we have to go around the canyon of "Syðri - Emstruá" and there is a very steep path down to the bridge so be careful. Then a walk through the area known as "Almenningar" with crossing of among other rivers "Þröngá". It is good practice when wading to go hand in hand and head downstream. After crossing "Þröngá" a 30 minutes walk takes us to "Þórsmörk". Landscape and vegetation is changing rapidly. Birchwood and all kinds of plants a welcome change after the desert now behind us. This is the end of the trail.