Join us on a unique journey to a mythical isle shaped by ice and fire, all whilst raising vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices.
Iceland is a land of incredible contrast and beauty. Its wild volcanic landscapes, mountains, glaciers, hot springs, geysers and waterfalls, combined with its rich history, literature and folklore make it a fascinating country to explore.
This intriguing and highly diverse short trek takes us up to a high pass between two majestic glaciers, taking in the new lava formed during the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010. We finish at the beautiful waterfall of Skógarfoss before returning to Reykjavik, where we have some time to explore or visit the famous Blue Lagoon thermal spa.
This is a tough and challenging trek through a remote and wild environment. It presents a rare opportunity to witness a landscape that is changing before our eyes.
Event information
Date: 29 August – 2 September 2018
What’s included?
- Return flights from London to Reykjavik
- All transport, accommodation and meals (except dinner on Day 4 and lunch on Day 5)
- Any air fuel supplement required
- Experienced Discover Adventure leaders and doctor (depending on final group size)
- Support crew of local guides and drivers.
Your itinerary
Day 1 – Fly London to Reykjavik: We fly to Keflavik International Airport and transfer to our hotel in central Reykjavik. After final kit preparations, enjoy dinner and a detailed trek briefing ahead of the coming days.
Day 2 – Reykjavik to Þórsmörk: After a hearty breakfast, we travel to magical Þórsmörk, a dramatic green valley shaped by the constant interplay between ice and fire. Named for the Norse God Thor, it’s a beautiful place to begin our trek. We enjoy an afternoon warm-up walk, which takes us up to Valahnúkur, a wonderful viewpoint over to the glaciers of Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull and down to the Krossa River below. It’s an inspiring landscape that will whet your appetite for tomorrow! We spend the night in a traditional hut in Þórsmörk.
Day 3 – Þórsmörk to Fimmvörduháls: We set off, trekking uphill onto Kattarhyrggir (Cat’s Spine) ridge, with fabulous views back over the valley. We come out onto a wide plateau, where sweeping views await – including the lava fall formed by the 2010 eruption. Our route takes us up a steep, narrow, rocky slope, which brings us to the lava field. Here we can see the craters – it’s a fascinating area to explore, and a close-up reminder of the power of nature. We are almost at the pass of Fimmvörduháls, lying at 1043m between the two glaciers. Having walked uphill almost constantly, we have gained 900m in height and the views are awe-inspiring. We spend the night in a hut.
Day 4 – Fimmvörduháls, Skógar and Reykjavik: Today we descend from the pass, through tundra-like landscapes, still with great glacier views. After walking over rocky plains, it’s magical to drop down into the verdant green hills of the Skógaá River, which we follow for the rest of our trek. We pass several waterfalls; in places, the way is lined with thick green moss. Our trek ends at the majestic Skógarfoss, one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland with a 60-metre drop. It adds yet more diversity to the trek and is a breathtaking end to our challenge. After the obligatory photos, we jump into our waiting vehicles and return to Reykjavik for an evening of celebrations at the hotel.
Day 5 – Fly Reykjavik to London: We have a morning free to explore Reykjavik or head off for an optional trip to the Blue Lagoon, a thermal spa approx. 45 minutes away. Afterwards, we head off to the airport for our afternoon flight.
What do I need to do?
Are you ready to discover this untouched wonder in support of Pilgrims?
You’ll need a deposit of just £275 to take on this this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. How you fund the rest is up to you!
- Option A Deposit £275 + minimum sponsorship £2,750
- Option B Deposit £275 + self-funding £1,375 (no minimum sponsorship).
Download a detailed brochure for the Icelandic Lava Trek challenge.
Contact us
For more information about any of our UK or overseas challenges, contact Robert Grew in the Fundraising team on 01227 812 609.
Resources
- #Download a Pilgrims Hospices sponsorship form# (Pilgrims-Sponsorship-Form-2015-1.pdf)
- #Top tips for raising sponsorship# (raising-sponsorship)
- Make a JustGiving page
- #See how money you raise can help# (supporting-pilgrims-hospices / fundraising-pack / how-your-contribution-will-help).